Stuffed peppers are one of the world’s most versatile foods. The dish can be adapted to suit anyone’s dietary requirements, as different types of foods can be stuffed into the peppers. This includes minced beef or chicken, vegetables, rice, couscous, beans, cheese, and more. When it comes to stuffed peppers, the options are endless. It’s also a great way to maximize leftover foods.
Typically, the varieties of peppers used are those with mild heat, like the bell and poblano peppers. This beautiful dish is prepared in such a way that the peppers don’t overshadow the flavor of the stuffing. Once stuffed, the peppers are baked or roasted to soften and sweeten them. Eating stuffed peppers has numerous health benefits, such as boosting the immune system, preventing cancer, and improving eyesight.
What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers: 12 Amazing Sides
The idea of stuffed peppers would be exciting to anyone. But it’s usually not a complete meal without a side dish or two. Since the peppers can be stuffed with any type of food, it’s a no-brainer that a good side will be something different from the filling. However, since there are plenty of options, one can easily be confused about what exactly will fit best.
Here are some fantastic side dish options for your stuffed peppers meal.
1. Celery Salad
Salads make a great side dish to stuffed peppers. This salad is delicious and is also high in minerals and fiber. If you’re preparing this celery salad, make sure you get whole celery instead of celery hearts. The celery leaves add a spicy taste to the dish. And without them, you’d be losing out on a delicious experience.
Furthermore, you can create this salad ahead of time. Simply add lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.
2. No-Knead Bread
Another excellent pairing for stuffed peppers is no-knead bread. While this bread requires the use of yeast, you still won’t have to worry about mixing your dough endlessly. The ingredients will have combined to make a bakeable dough in about five minutes.
All-purpose flour, instant dry yeast, salt, sugar, warm water, and butter are all that are needed for this recipe. Although tempting, it’s best to avoid cutting your bread directly from the oven because it will be pretty doughy. Allow it to cool for five to ten minutes. You’ll then have lovely, neat slices ready to treat your taste buds.
3. Cheese Platter
A platter of natural cheeses is an outstanding and elegant accompaniment for stuffed bell peppers. Cheese brings a variety of flavors and a creamy texture to the meal, making them an excellent match for stuffed peppers.
Plus, the combination of colors will look fantastic. Enjoy putting together your plater with your favorite cheeses and crackers.
4. Vegetable Fries
This is a close relative to the French fry. They’re delicious, satisfying, and simple to make. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are some great examples of vegetables to use for this side. Simply toss the cut vegetables in oil, cumin, pepper, salt, and bake.
They’re much healthier than French fries and have an appealing flavor. They’re also a terrific companion to stuffed bell peppers.
5. Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
This is a natural choice for a stuffed peppers side dish, especially for mushroom enthusiasts. This recipe has a ton of flavor and is relatively easy to prepare.
Sautéed mushrooms and onions pair well with any meal because of the exquisite flavor of caramelized onions, spice, and mushrooms. When it comes to mushrooms, consider using baby Bella mushrooms, as they have a more robust flavor than the other mushrooms.
6. Cornbread Muffins
Nothing compares to stuffed peppers served with hot, fresh cornbread. And this side dish is a fantastic twist on classic cornbread.
Cornbread is incredibly sweet and has a texture unlike any other. Soft on the inside, with a slight crunch to their crust, cornbread muffins come dressed to impress.
7. Sweet Potato Fries
These fries are a delicious, quick finger food with a few extra health benefits than a traditional French fry. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A, C, and B6, fiber, and other elements that the body requires. And the sweetness of the sweet potatoes compliments the sweet flavors of the baked or roasted bell peppers.
We recommend baking your sweet potato fries instead of frying them. This is not only for health purposes but also because you won’t have to keep intense watch over them. Simply toss them in olive oil and your favorite seasonings before baking.
8. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a flexible vegetable that is readily available. This mild and slightly sweet vegetable can be marinated and roasted for a delightful crunchy side. Or you could drench it in white sauce, top it with grated cheddar and bake it for a wonderfully creamy dish.
Whichever way you choose to cook your cauliflower, remember that it takes on the flavors of the sauce or seasoning you add. Therefore, you can adjust the flavors of this side to compliment your sweet and savory stuffed peppers.
9. Sautéed Carrots
Simple to prepare, sautéed carrots are high in vitamin A and potassium. To adjust this side dish to your preference, you can sprinkle the carrots with brown sugar, thyme, or paprika. The longer you sauté the carrots, the sweeter they’ll become.
For the ideal side dish for your stuffed peppers, adjust the seasoning and cooking time to pair with the flavors of your stuffing. These vibrant orange vegetables will be a feast for the eyes and the palate.
10. Meaty Italian Sausage
Italian sausages can be used as fillings. But if you don’t want them as part of the main course, you can serve them as a side dish.
Simply cook the sausages in a saucepan and then cut them into pieces or serve them whole. You can always season and sauté peppers or other vegetables in the same saucepan with the sausage fat for an additional side.
11. Roasted Red Potatoes
This is one of those dishes that goes with practically any cuisine. These potatoes have a crusty, seasoned shell and are high in vitamins and minerals. The potassium content of these potatoes is higher than that of a banana.
Simply exfoliate and wash the red potatoes carefully to retain the skin’s health advantages. Then toss in some olive oil and salt, and roast. And ingredients included in your stuffing are sure to marry well with these crisp and fluffy potatoes.
12. Steamed Broccoli
If you’re strapped for time, serve your stuffed bell peppers alongside steamed broccoli as a side dish.
There are no additional ingredients, allowing the subtle flavor of the broccoli to shine through. Steamed broccoli’s simplicity will ensure that your stuffed peppers remain the hero of the meal no matter what’s in your stuffing.
Conclusion
Deciding on what to serve with stuffed peppers can be a challenge, as it all comes down to what’s included in the stuffing. However, no matter your stuffing ingredients, any of the above side dishes should work perfectly. Each side delivers subtle and universally complementary flavors that are guaranteed to be up to the task.