These southwestern-style stuffed peppers are filled with lentils, rice, and plenty of spicy flavor! It’s a great way to add more vegetables to your dinner routine.

lentil stuffed pepper
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Lentils are a great filling for stuffed peppers because they’re easy to season and they add lots of protein and fiber to this meal. That means you’ll stay full and satisfied! I love how these stuffed peppers are full of flavor and the texture of the lentils is perfect in this recipe!

How to Make Lentil Stuffed Peppers

First, prepare the lentils and the rice. For a shortcut, you can used prepared or canned lentils.

a bowl of cooked lentils

Then, slice three large bell peppers in half. Remove the white pith and any seeds. Place face up on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Peppers on a baking pan

To prepare the filling, sauté the onions, jalapeño, and garlic, then add the lentils, rice, tomatoes, and taco seasoning.

stuffed pepper filling

Stuff each of the cooked peppers with about 1/2 cup of filling.

stuffed peppers on a pan

Top each pepper with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

stuffed peppers with cheese

Turn the oven to broil and cook the peppers for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.

cooked stuff peppers on a baking tray

Serve the peppers with salsa, sour cream, and avocado!

Substitution Ideas

  • If you’d like to keep this recipe vegan, use vegan cheddar shreds or skip the cheese.
  • You can use brown or green lentils for the filling. Do not use red lentils, which are too soft.
  • To add even more flavor, try using my Mexican Brown Rice in place of plain rice.
  • You can use any color bell pepper you like. Red, yellow, and orange peppers will be slightly sweeter.
Stuffed peppers on a plate

Recipe Shortcuts

  • If you want to prepare this recipe faster, you can use canned or prepared lentils.
  • You can buy pre-cooked rice in the frozen food section or use microwaveable rice.
  • This is also a great recipe for leftover lentils or rice. You can prepare the rice and lentils up to 3 days in advance.

More Lentil Recipes

These simple spiced lentils are one of my favorite ways to prepare lentils. They’re easy to make and so delicious! Or, switch things up and try my vegan lentil tacos. They’re perfect for a meatless taco night!

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lentil stuffed peppers

Lentil Stuffed Peppers

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 peppers 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Southwest
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

These southwestern-style stuffed peppers are filled with lentils, rice, and plenty of spicy flavor! It’s a great way to add more vegetables to your dinner routine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large bell peppers, halved and seeded (any color)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 10oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained
  • 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils (see note)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
  • Salsa, avocado, and/or sour cream for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Place the halved and seeded peppers cut side up on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes.
  4. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 30 seconds.
  5. Add the onion and jalapeño and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
  6. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.
  7. Add the diced tomatoes, lentils, rice, and taco seasoning.
  8. Stir to combine and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove the peppers from the oven and turn the oven to broil.
  10. Carefully stuff with the rice and lentil mixture, then top with cheese.
  11. Place the peppers back in the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is browned.
  12. Serve with avocado, sour cream, and/or salsa. 

What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers

Need some easy side dish ideas? Here are a few recipes that would be perfect with these lentil stuffed peppers!

Mexican Street Corn Salad

mexican street corn

Lemon and Avocado Kale Salad

kale salad in a bowl