What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers: 30+ Easy Sides

Wondering what to serve with stuffed peppers for dinner? This handy guide covers all of the best sides for stuffed peppers – from veggies, to salads, and more!

I’m sharing 30+ of the most popular and best sides for stuffed peppers. Creamy mashed potatoes, salads, and the most delicious veggies.

These side dishes pair with all your favorite stuffed pepper recipes, from these Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers, to these Stuffed Poblano Peppers, and others.

The BEST Sides for Stuffed Peppers

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy. 
Red Cabbage Slaw
Overhead shot of Mexican rice in white bowl topped with lime wedges.
Inspired by the flavors of the classic Mexican restaurant side dish, this Instant Pot Mexican Rice is perfect with enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and more. It’s a foolproof recipe made entirely in your pressure cooker!
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Bowl of cooked pinto beans flecked with cilantro.
Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Albondigas in blue bowl topped with sour cream and jalapenos.
Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks. 
Spanish Meatballs
Roasted carrots in bowl with spoon.
I’m serving up these Oven Roasted Mexican Carrots elote style. Similar to how you’d dress grilled street corn, these delicious tender carrots are topped with lime, crumbled cheese, jalapenos and cilantro. So crazy good! 
Oven Roasted Mexican Carrots
Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Top shot of black beans in large white bowl with spoon
These no soak Instant Pot Black Beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these black beans can be ready in under an hour.
Instant Pot Black Beans
Hand holding bowl of chickpea salad.
This Chickpeas and Avocado Salad has all the traditional elements of a great guacamole and makes a healthy, protein and fiber-filled dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it comes together easily in just 10 minutes!
Avocado Chickpea Salad
Shirazi salad centered in frame with serving spoon.
This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!
Shirazi Salad
Bowl of guacamole on tray with chips.
This fresh and vibrant Guacamole recipe is so easy! Mix it up in minutes for a creamy dip, a delicious topping for nachos, or to serve on Taco Tuesday.
Guacamole
Overhead shot of Mexican street corn salad in serving bowl.
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Couscous Corn Salad
Sauteed zucchini and squash in skillet.
You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 
Cherry Tomato Salad
Overhead shot of lemon chicken skewers on plate next to bowl of harissa yogurt sauce.
These Lemon Chicken Skewers cook up perfectly on the grill and are served with a side of Harissa Yogurt Sauce for extra flavor.
Lemon Chicken Skewers
Over head shot of cooked brussels sprouts in grey bowl with spoon.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic cook up crispy and delicious with minimal oil with the help of your air fryer! Dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. You'll love these!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Close up of curry chicken skewers on grey plate with parchment paper.
Curried Chicken Skewers with Lime are quick and easy to prepare on the grill. Deliciously fragrant and tangy, they're perfect served alongside some rice and a simple salad. 
Curried Chicken Skewers
Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon. 
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Overhead shot of roasted cauliflower salad in grey bowl with spoon next to small bowl of tahini dressing.
This Cauliflower Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing combines roasted cauliflower & chickpeas with fluffy quinoa and creamy avocados. It’s a healthy, protein-packed salad that can be made ahead of time. 
Cauliflower Chickpea Salad
Overhead shot of cauliflower fried rice in speckled bowl with chopsticks.
Cauliflower Fried Rice with Bacon comes together easily in only 15 minutes! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) low-carb, keto fried rice at home.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Arugula Salad ready to be served.
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Overhead close up of quinoa salad in bowl.
Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.
Costco Quinoa Salad
Bowl of Mexican Corn Soup garnished with cliantro, chile powder and lime wedges.
This Mexican Corn Soup recipe has all the flavors of Mexican street corn in soup form. This creamy corn soup is flavored with chile powder, poblano peppers and cotija cheese.
Mexican Corn Soup
Overhead shot of instant pot quinoa in white bowl with spoon.
With these easy tips, you’ll see it’s simple to cook perfect quinoa in the Instant Pot with minimal measuring. The result is fluffy and flavorful quinoa that’s super simple to prepare.
Instant Pot Quinoa
Bowl of butternut curry with rice and spoon.
This Indian Butternut Squash Curry is a delicious vegetarian squash curry simmered with fragrant spices and rich coconut milk.
Butternut Squash Curry
Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Overhead shot of baked buffalo cauliflower bites in serving dish next to small bowl of blue cheese and carrots & celery sticks.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy & amazingly delicious! Enjoy these healthy vegetarian buffalo wings with homemade blue cheese or ranch dip.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Sauteed spinach in white bowl.
Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!
Sauteed Spinach
Overhead shot of bowl of curry butternut squash soup next to bowl of salt & pepper, and loaf of bread on light blue background.
This Curried Butternut Squash Soup is deliciously rich & creamy and perfect for chilly fall days. (Vegan + Vegetarian options)
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
CLOSE UP OF ROASTED SWEET POTATOES ON SERVING TRAY WITH SPOON.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Bowl of rice and small bowl of soy sauce next to instant pot.
With these tips you’ll see it’s simple to learn how to cook perfect rice in the Instant Pot . The result is fluffy & flavorful rice that’s easy to prepare with minimal measuring.
Instant Pot Rice

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these stuffed pepper side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

Favorite Stuffed Pepper Recipes

Here’s some of my the best stuffed pepper recipes on my blog:

More Side Dish Recipes

Wine Pairings for Stuffed Peppers

ZinfandelMalbec and Merlot – Red wines with a hint of sweetness to them tend to pair best with stuffed peppers.

Did you Make Any of These Stuffed Pepper Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with stuffed peppers. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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Southwest Beef & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that's amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare.

What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers: 30+ Sides

Wondering what to serve with stuffed peppers for dinner? This handy guide covers all of the best sides for stuffed peppers – from veggies, to salads, and more! Try one of these sides paired with these Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable broth (bone broth or chicken stock)
  • ¾ cup quinoa (uncooked)
  • 2 red bell peppers (halved and seeded)
  • 2 yellow bell peppers (halved and seeded)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided )
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 4 green onions (thinly sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional )
  • 1 14.5 oz. ounce can black beans
  • 1 14.5 oz. ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 limes (cut into wedges, for serving)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring vegetable stock (or broth) and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. Once boiling, add quinoa. Cover and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook it in the Instant Pot (see notes). 
  • Arrange the pepper halves on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 TBSP olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until softened , about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 TBSP olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, green onions and garlic, cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Add in beans and tomatoes and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cooked quinoa and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Fill peppers with quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 minutes. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Have an Instant Pot? Try cooking your quinoa in there! It’s my favorite way to cook quinoa now. Find the simple instructions here
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 605mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2748IU | Vitamin C: 200mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 3mg

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