Vegetarian Ventures: Quinoa and 'Sausage' Stuffed Peppers

Last week, Lightlife was generous enough to send me some samples of their vegetarian-friendly products. Included in the package were Italian-style Smart "Sausages," made with water, soy, dried vegetables, and other meat-free, recognizable ingredients.

Stumped on ideas for what to make with these, I asked my fellow tweeters what recipe I should incorporate these in. One follower suggested stuffed peppers - and dinner was born. 

Quinoa and "Sausage" Stuffed Peppers
Yields: 2 servings
-1/4 cup chopped white onion
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-1 tbsp. minced garlic
-Pinch of crushed red pepper
-1 tsp. dried oregano
-1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
-1/2 cup water
-1/2 cup shredded cheese, divided (Jack or cheddar work well)
-1 veggie sausage link, diced
-1/4 cup marinara sauce (I added a little extra)
-Salt and black pepper, to taste
-One large red bell pepper, halved lengthwise, ribs removed

Directions:
1.) Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook for five minutes, or until soft. Add crushed red pepper and garlic, and saute for one minute.
2.) Stir in quinoa and water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until quinoa is tender. Stir in sausage and marinara sauce, followed by 1/4 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
3.) Fill each bell pepper half with a heaping spoonful of the quinoa mixture, and place in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle a little extra black pepper onto each pepper. Cover with foil, and bake for one hour. Uncover, and sprinkle each pepper with the remaining cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes more, or until tops of stuffed peppers are browned. Let stand for five minutes.

If you miss the meat in this dish, your taste buds are dead. The veggie sausage was incredibly flavorful, and the texture was exactly like its carnivorous counterpart. This was also a very protein-packed meal due to the quinoa and the 13 grams of protein in the sausage link. 

This was an all-around comforting, satisfying and surprisingly healthy dinner.

*I am a protein fiend. I worry about not getting enough protein all of the time. So my question today is: Do you worry about your protein intake? Why or why not? 

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