Black Bean Stuffed Peppers (Printable Version)

Bell peppers filled with a spicy black bean and rice mix, topped with cheese—wholesome flavor in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Peppers

01 - 4 large orange or yellow bell peppers

→ Filling

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup cooked brown rice
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping (optional)
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare a baking dish for the peppers.
02 - Slice the tops off each bell pepper and remove the seeds and membranes. Carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the sides using a small paring knife.
03 - Set the prepared peppers upright in the baking dish.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
05 - Stir in cooked brown rice, black beans, corn, drained diced tomatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in shredded cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro, if using.
07 - Evenly fill each bell pepper with the prepared black bean mixture, pressing gently to pack. Top with extra cheese if desired.
08 - Replace the tops on the peppers. Add a splash of water to the bottom of the baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
09 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
10 - Remove from the oven and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Bright and cheerful presentation makes this dish a winner for holidays or weeknights
  • Packed with vegetables and protein for a nutritious meal
  • Totally customizable for vegan or gluten-free diets
  • Uses pantry staples you likely have on hand
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to beans and brown rice
  • Naturally gluten-free if using safe ingredients
  • Excellent for meal prep holds flavor and texture even after reheating
03 -
  • Go slow when carving faces so the peppers stay sturdy and lovely
  • Always drain tomatoes well so filling does not get soggy
  • Toast your spices briefly in the skillet to deepen the flavors before mixing in the main filling
  • Let little ones help with assembling for a fun family dinner

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