Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

– 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or a mix)
– 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
– 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced (optional)
– 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup spinach, chopped
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Olive oil for sautéing

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Bell Peppers:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
– Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them in a baking dish, cut side up.

2. **Cook the Filling:**
– In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onions and garlic, sauté until translucent.
– Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
– Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
– If using chicken, add it to the skillet and mix well.
– Add the cooked quinoa or rice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

3. **Prepare the Cheese Mixture:**
– In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and the Parmesan cheese.
– Add the cooked filling mixture to the bowl and mix until well combined.
– Stir in the chopped parsley.

4. **Stuff the Peppers:**
– Spoon the cheese and filling mixture into each bell pepper half, pressing down to fill them completely.
– Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.

5. **Bake the Peppers:**
– Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
– Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.

6. **Serve:**
– Allow the stuffed peppers to cool slightly before serving.
– Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.

Enjoy your delicious cheesy stuffed bell peppers! Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients or use a different type of cheese for variety.