Honestly, I don’t really like stuffed peppers. I never really got how you are supposed to eat them. Just cut into them with a fork? They always seemed kind of awkward.
I decided for these stuffed peppers, I would make them into boats! That makes it a lot easier (for me) to cut into, and more fun! Isn’t anything with the word boats in it fun?
TOW{BOAT}
{BOAT}ING
{BOAT}BUILDER
{BOAT}LOAD
{BOAT}MAN
STEAM{BOAT} SPRINGS!!
HOUSE{BOAT}
MOTOR{BOAT}
LOVE{BOAT}
I had some chicken sausage I decided to add to these, but you could leave it out and add extra veggies or beans if you want!
Stuffed Pepper Boats
Print this recipe!
Ingredients (3 servings)
- 3 sweet peppers, halved, stems cut out, and seeds removed
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 links chicken sausage (I used Aidells)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (or 1 – 14oz can of diced tomatoes, drained)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the peppers in half, from the top to the bottom, and cut out the stems and remove the seeds. Rinse well.
Place on a baking sheet, cut side down. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the skins are lightly wrinkled and browned.
Meanwhile, combine 1 cup uncooked quinoa and a clove of garlic in a medium saucepan. (Ok I added 3 because my garlic cloves were small! I think garlic makes everything taste better!)Cover with water. Cook over medium heat, until the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
When the quinoa is cooked, add in the diced chicken sausage, jalapeno, tomatoes, and paprika. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed to suit your taste.
Fill the pepper halves with the quinoa mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese on the top of the peppers.
Place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes – just enough to melt the cheese.
Serve!
Ok, so the jalapeno really kicked it up .. so if you don’t like hot stuff, just leave it out!. I liked it!
Plus, I think this will heat up really good for lunches this week – looks like I’m set!
This post is linked to Fat Tuesday.
Lovely boats! We eat (means I make) stuffed peppers quite often, and I’ve been experimenting with quinoa for some time. It has a good texture, and is perfect for little peppers. Very good, Jane! I see the boat theme!
My latest post Ravioli (www.picnicatmarina.com)
Thanks Marina! I love quinoa! I guess I just don’t like stuffed peppers when the peppers are too cooked and soft/squishy. That is not very boat like! lol! Have a great day!
It’s funny that you should post this recipe today. I just noticed some chicken sausage I bought for my husband last week. I have some left over cooked quinoa in a container in the refrigerator and all of the other ingredients. This is the perfect dinner for tonight. I will even make a couple sans sausage for myself. Thanks for the idea!
Aimee recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Q & A
Nice!
Just wanted to let you know that the stuffed pepper boats were a huge hit. My husband and I both enjoyed them. Next time I will make a bigger batch so I can freeze half. Thanks again.
Aimee recently posted..Shelburne Half Training – Week 5
Yay, thank you so much for letting me know!
Looks good Jane! Cutting the peppers that way sure makes stuffing them easier. I love colorful food like this!
Jane recently posted..THE ENCHANTED LIFE
It does make stuffing so much easier! Red peppers are so colorful, they just normally are more expensive too! I got a whole bunch at Costco (my favorite place to shop) so it worked for me!
These look tasty and good for you, much better than the version of stuffed peppers I grew up with.
Thanks Rhonda! I don’t think I had stuffed peppers growing up … and I’m really not sure why, but I think I am traumatized by frozen stuffed pepper meals … I guess I just like a little crunch in the pepper, and to me frozen and reheated peppers are kind of slimy …
Okay, you’re pretty much a genius. Boats?? Of course! I always make mine the other way, and end up eating out the insides and then eating the pepper, which is fine, you just don’t get a mix, and I feel like that’s the point of cooking things together in the first place.
Allie recently posted..Five for Tuesday
I know, so true! You can have the pepper or the stuffing, but not both! I think just calling it a boat is kinda fun
These look yummy! My husband usually likes peppers stuffed with – well, I guess you’d call it a meatloaf mixture, which my kids won’t touch. But with quinoa and some cheese on top… I think they’d go for these! Definitely pinning and putting on my to-try list!
Jan recently posted..Comment on Recycling A Feed Bag Into A Tote Bag by Jan
Thank you! My husband liked it, and he is the picky eater in my house!
These look awesome, I love the idea of “boats”, because I always tear regular stuffed peppers during the stuffing process
haha
Sam recently posted..FMM: Q&A
I know! When I normally cut peppers, I just cut them in half and tear off the stem part, so it is hard to keep it pretty!
You tickled me when you listed all the words you like with boat in them. Never realized how cute that word is! lol I love these pepper boats, they do seem easier to eat and I’ve always found the traditional stuffed peppers a little awkward too. These are even prettier, so extra bonus! Love that you used quinoa too. Oh, and as for the zucchini spaghetti, the sauce is the star and would be good on anything. The zucchini isn’t necessary but kind of becomes one with the sauce so it doesn’t seem weird–It’s kind of like eating a very veggified sauce, not really like eating real pasta with sauce.
Veronica recently posted..Zucchini Spaghetti
Thanks! I am going to try the zucchini … it did look so good!
I’m always looking for something to do with quinoa. My husband doesn’t really love stuffed peppers, either, but these sounds good, and with chicken sausage, he might like them.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips recently posted..Sundried Tomato, Rosemary, and Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak and Dating Days
Thank you! I loved the chicken sausage in this — and honestly, I was never a fan of stuffed peppers when the peppers are overcooked and all soft. I like it with a little crunch to it ..
I like your new site layout!! This is the third stuffed pepper recipe I’ve seen in the last couple days – it must be a sign to make them!
Biz recently posted..Charlie Update and Marinated Grilled Broccoli
Thanks Biz! As you know, blogs can be difficult at times, but I’m liking the new layout too
Still trying to work out some kinks .. like the header! I have to figure out what I want there 
I make my stuff peppers just the way you do…cutting them in half really is must easier to eat and faster to cook. Your peppers sound great with the quinoa stuffing.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Let’s Go Out To Dinner…Bonta Restaurant
Thanks Karen! I’m glad it is not just me who thinks they can be awkward as a whole pepper!
I’m with you—-stuffed peppers are awkward, and boats make way more sense!
These look great!
Lisa recently posted..It’s Quite Simple, but Not Necessarily Easy—Take Charge and Change Your Life
Ok…now I’m hungry
m.
maria recently posted..do you ever doubt?
yeah, that is the downside of pictures of food!
Have a good night Maria!
They look just perfect! Ive never had red peppers stuffed, always green!
Yeah, I know what you mean … I think the red stuffed peppers are prettier!
I love new ideas for stuffed peppers!
Ginger recently posted..Not This Time!
Thank you! It really is like an open canvas, you can do anything with them!
Stuffed pepper boats!I never imagined of such as a food.From the pictures they look appetizing.I might give them a try to heat up my food tomorrow.