Cajun Beef and Quinoa Stuffed peppers are pure Cajun-inspired deliciousness. The green bell peppers are stuffed with organic quinoa, lean ground beef, quality ground pork sausage, celery, onions, diced red bell peppers, and Cajun seasonings topped with a Cajun-seasoned red sauce.
I love a good old-fashioned recipe for stuffed bell peppers. However, as you know, I love my Cajun flavors and look forward to transforming methods into dream Cajun-inspired recipes. I had a good time today revamping our family Stuffed Pepper recipe we have passed down and used for years.
What did I do?
- The first thing I did was I decided to ditch the white rice we have always used and opted for white organic cooked quinoa.
- I decided to brown the meats in a metal skillet first instead of cooking them and the other ingredients inside of my stuffed peppers, as my mom and grandmother have always done.
- The original diced veggies I usually use were tossed to the wind, and celery, bell pepper, onions, and minced garlic were added as a salute to the Cajun Holy Trinity.
- All the spices were changed to Cajun-themed spices.
Below is my simple recipe for a delicious Cajun-inspired meal of Cajun Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers. For the best taste, You should use fresh, locally grown green bell peppers, organic canned tomatoes, and organic quinoa.
Cajun Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- One cup of white organic quinoa, cooked per package
- One tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- One pound of lean ground beef
- 1/2 of a pound quality ground pork sausage
- One stalk of celery diced
- One medium onion diced
- 1/4 of a cup of diced red bell peppers
- Three cloves garlic minced
- Two teaspoons of Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 of a teaspoon of dried thyme
- a dash of cayenne, optional
- a light splash of Worcestershire sauce
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- One – 14 -ounce can of organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Three tablespoons of organic tomato paste
- a splash of quality white table wine
- Four large green bell peppers top removed, peppers seeded, reserve the tops.
- Four slices deli white cheddar cheese or cheese of choice, optional
Red sauce for Cajun Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- One -28-ounce can of crushed organic tomatoes
- One teaspoon of dried thyme
- One teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes, optional
- a pinch of sugar, optional
- a splash of quality white table wine
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground peppers to taste
Cajun Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Cajun Beef & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- 1 cup White organic quinoa cooked per package
- 1 tablespoon Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Lean ground beef
- ½ pound Ground pork sausage
- 1 stalk Celery diced
- 1 medium Onion diced
- ¼ cup Diced red bell peppers
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoons Dried thyme
- 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper optional
- 1 splash Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1- 14 - ounce- Can of organic fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons of organic tomato paste
- 1 splash White table wine
- 4 large Large green bell peppers top removed peppers seeded, reserve the tops
- 4 slices Deli white cheddar cheese or cheese of choice optional
Red sauce for Cajun peppers
- 1-28- ounce- can of crushed organic tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- 1 Pinch Cayenne or red pepper flakes optional
- 1 pinch Sugar optional
- 1 splash white table wine
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground peppers to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the white organic quinoa per package instructions – reserve
- Meanwhile, in a preheated large, deep metal skillet on medium heat, add lean ground beef, quality pork sausage, diced celery, 1 medium diced onion, diced red bell peppers, and minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, a dash of cayenne-optional, a light splash of Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to own taste. Cook till the meat it is completely cooked through.
- Once completely cooked through remove from heat and drain meat mixture in a colander till excess oils have completely drained off.
- Place the meat mixture back in large, deep metal skillet on low heat, add the can of fire roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cooked white organic quinoa and a splash of white wine. Combine ingredients and cook for about 4-5 minutes on low heat.
- Wash green bell peppers, remove tops (reserve for use), remove seeds and any leftover white in green bell peppers.
- In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat; combine organic crushed tomatoes, thyme, Cajun seasoning, oregano, a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes, a pinch of sugar, a splash of white wine, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper to own taste. Cook about 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Spoon meat and quinoa mixture evenly into each green bell pepper, place into an oven-safe baking dish, add red sauce to oven-safe baking dish and place in preheated 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes uncovered, once 20 minutes have passed add 1 slice of white cheddar cheese to each Cajun stuffed pepper, place tops on each green peppers, continue cooking another 10-12 minutes uncovered to melt cheese and cook the tops, or till your pepper has reached the degree of doneness you prefer.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
Although themccallumsshamrockpatch.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and how ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will themccallumsshamrockpatch.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few other suggested recipes.
- Fresh Italian Peppers in Olive Oil complement your next Italian meal. Every Italian family has their version of this delicious Italian recipe, and I have modified our original family recipe for a fresh taste every time. Combining multi-colored mini sweet peppers, raw cloves of garlic, hot pepper, and garlic-infused olive oil and seasoned with Italian herbs without all the fuss and worries of canning in oil.
- Olio di peperoncino {Italian Chili Oil} originates from the southern region of Calabria. Olio di peperoncino consists of 2 simple ingredients: pure, top-quality authentic olive oil and dried chili peppers. It’s delicious on pizza, Italian bread, bruschetta, and even pasta dishes.
- Stuffed Pepper Soup is one of those recipes that you will be thrilled with. If you love Stuffed Peppers, this is an easy-to-make, flavorful, and hearty soup. This Stuffed Pepper Soup is made with fresh organic ingredients such as green and yellow sweet bell peppers, mild Italian sweet sausage, lean ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, onions, a delicious broth, and a wild rice blend, all cooked to perfection in a rich broth.
Disclaimer: While a recipe is not written in stone, it is recommended you stick to the original recipe as closely as your diet allows, as changes made on your own to my recipes may change the integrity of the flavor of the cooked menu item.
I loved that these stuffed peppers have quinoa! Great texture and taste. Saving to make again!
These stuffed peppers were so hearty and delicious! I loved all the Cajun flavors, too – yum!
Yum! There were amazing! Protein-rich and the Cajun seasoning made them truly irresistible. Normally not a huge fan of quinoa, I actually really liked it in this recipe – I felt without it the filling might be too heavy. Overall, delicious!