Sausage and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Do you ever have those nights when you aren’t sure what to make?  That’s me most days around 3 in the afternoon, i start rustling around in the kitchen looking for the magic combination of ingredients.  This recipe was born from pulling a bunch of things out of the cupboard and then figuring out a way to put them all together.  It started off with a roll of sausage and a box of quinoa.  I could have just cooked them up and served them as is, but I knew my kids would balk at the idea of eating them that way so I had to come up with a creative way to disguise them and make them more kid friendly.  Fortunately my kids all love bell peppers and so we usually have a bag of the mini ones around for them to snack on and to serve with those less healthy dinners.  Add a little cheese to the mix and you are in business!

Sausage and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

• Peppers
• Onion
• Garlic
• Black beans
• Corn
• Cumin, Paprika, Chili power
• Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• Quinoa
• Sausage

The first thing you are going to do is slice each of your peppers on one side from top to bottom.  Lay them out on a baking sheet and stick them in a 400* oven for about 15 minutes.  While they are roasting start cooking your sausage with your diced onions and garlic.  While the sausage is going you’ll want to get your pot of quinoa and water going.  Once that is simmering add the beans and corn and seasonings to your cooked sausage and combine them completely.  Turn the heat on medium low and let the flavors get good and married. Once the quinoa is done you can turn the heat off of your pans and add it to the sausage mixture and combine them completely.

Now you are going to start stuffing your peppers.  Grab a spoonful of your sausage and quinoa mixture and add it to the inside of the peppers.  Fill them good and full and then lay them back out on the baking sheet.  Once all your peppers are stuffed sprinkle the top of each one with your shredded cheese.  Stick them back in the oven under the broiler until the cheese starts to get brown and bubbly!

Now it is time to eat!  Serve them up with a sprinkle of cilantro  and enjoy.  These went over so well in our house – all three of my kids had seconds and they are going to be become a go to dish in our house for sure!  Have you ever made stuffed peppers before?  What are some of your favorite flavor combinations?