Figuring out what to serve with stuffed peppers? You’re in the right place! As a dietitian and food lover, I’ve compiled over 25 of the best side dishes to perfectly complement your stuffed red peppers, making your meal complete and utterly delicious.
Variety of side dishes suggested to serve with stuffed red peppers
Stuffed peppers are a fantastic dinner choice – they’re easy to make, customizable, and a great way to pack in veggies, protein, and carbs all in one dish. Whether you’re making classic stuffed peppers or experimenting with flavors like buffalo ranch tuna or Philly cheesesteak, finding the right side dish can elevate your meal from good to amazing.
Creating a Balanced Meal with Stuffed Peppers
As a registered dietitian, I always aim for balanced meals. Stuffed peppers are already a great start, offering a good mix of nutrients. Let’s break down how to make them even better and how side dishes play a crucial role:
- Protein Power: Stuffed peppers often include protein in their filling, typically from lean ground meat like turkey, chicken, or beef. For a plant-based twist, vegetarian stuffed peppers are equally satisfying. Choosing lean proteins helps keep your meal nutritious and balanced.
- Carbohydrate Choices: Many stuffed pepper recipes incorporate carbohydrates directly into the filling, often using grains like rice, quinoa, or couscous. Opting for whole grains boosts the fiber content, contributing to better digestion and sustained energy.
- Vegetable Boost: Bell peppers themselves are a wonderful source of vitamins and fiber. You can further enhance the vegetable content by adding diced veggies to the filling.
While stuffed peppers are substantial on their own, adding a side dish completes the meal, ensuring you feel full and satisfied. Side dishes are the perfect opportunity to introduce more variety in flavors, textures, and nutrients to your plate.
Below, you’ll discover more than 25 of my go-to side dishes for stuffed peppers. This collection includes everything from vibrant salads and comforting potato dishes to flavorful roasted vegetables, ensuring there’s a perfect pairing for every taste and occasion.
Close-up of a fork cutting into a tuna stuffed red bell pepper, showcasing the filling.
Fresh Salads to Brighten Your Stuffed Pepper Meal
Salads are an excellent way to add freshness and a burst of flavor to your meal. They provide a light counterpoint to the richness of stuffed peppers and introduce valuable vitamins and minerals. Here are some salad ideas that work wonderfully:
Honey Mustard Broccoli Crunch Salad
This broccoli crunch salad is ready in just 30 minutes and is bursting with color and flavor. The hearty vegetables and tangy honey mustard dressing make it a delightful and satisfying side.
Arugula Quinoa Salad with Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette
This arugula quinoa salad is a spring delight, featuring crunchy chickpeas, crispy quinoa, and fresh seasonal vegetables. The lemon Caesar vinaigrette adds a zesty and bright finish.
Image of arugula quinoa salad with lemon caesar vinaigrette, emphasizing the fresh ingredients and light dressing.
Santa Fe Salad
Packed with crisp vegetables and a creamy dressing, this Santa Fe salad is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s an easy, flavorful salad that complements the heartiness of stuffed peppers perfectly.
Santa Fe salad with its vibrant mix of vegetables and creamy dressing, presented in a serving bowl.
Thai Chopped Salad
This Thai chopped salad is loaded with colorful veggies and a tangy sesame ginger lime dressing. It’s a balanced and meal-prep-friendly option that brings an Asian-inspired twist to your side dish selection.
Overhead shot of Thai chopped salad in a bowl, showing the variety of colorful vegetables and dressing.
Cucumber and Carrot Salad
Transform classic cucumbers and carrots into a refreshing salad with a tangy sesame dressing. This cucumber and carrot salad is a light and crisp side, perfect for spring and summer meals.
Bowl of cucumber and carrot salad, highlighting the simple yet elegant presentation and sesame dressing.
Crunchy Dill Pickle Salad
For pickle lovers, this crunchy dill pickle salad is a must-try. Made with lentils, feta, kale, and more, it’s a balanced and flavorful plant-based salad that’s surprisingly satisfying.
Image of someone dipping a chip into dill pickle salad, showcasing its creamy texture and dill pickle bits.
Bang Bang Roasted Broccoli Salad
This roasted broccoli salad is elevated with crispy panko, cashews, and a healthy bang bang sauce. It’s a crowd-pleasing salad that’s full of flavor and interesting textures.
Bird's eye view of roasted broccoli salad drizzled with bang bang sauce, showing the crispy panko and cashew toppings.
Spaghetti Squash Salad
This spaghetti squash salad from Whole New Mom features a tangy dressing, creating an easy and healthy side dish. It’s allergy-friendly, low-carb, and paleo-friendly, with AIP options available.
Glass bowl of spaghetti squash salad, emphasizing the spaghetti-like texture of the squash and vibrant dressing.
Chopped Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Brighten up your table with this chopped Mediterranean cucumber salad! It’s light, refreshing, and nutritious, making it a true summer staple that pairs well with almost any main course, especially stuffed peppers.
Cucumber salad served in Mediterranean bowls, alongside other Mediterranean dishes, showcasing its versatility.
Pasta Salads for a Heartier Side Dish
Pasta salad is a fantastic way to add carbohydrates and vegetables, making your meal more substantial and satisfying. These pasta salad options are fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-rich:
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Ready in just 30 minutes, this healthy chicken pesto pasta salad is perfect for meal prep. Packed with flavor and nutrients, it’s an easy and delightful lunch, dinner, or side for summer gatherings.
Person eating chicken pesto pasta salad, with a jar of pesto in the background, highlighting the fresh ingredients.
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Make healthy lunches exciting with this kale Caesar pasta salad! Crafted with chickpeas, parmesan, avocado, and homemade sourdough croutons, it’s a nutritious and flavorful meal that satisfies every craving.
Serving bowls of kale Caesar pasta salad, showing the creamy dressing, kale, and croutons.
Creamy Ranch Protein Pasta Salad
Simplify summer meal prep with this protein pasta salad. It features crunchy vegetables, plenty of protein, and a creamy ranch dressing, ensuring a satisfying salad that’s both delicious and easy to make ahead.
Close-up of creamy ranch protein pasta salad in a bowl, highlighting the creamy dressing and colorful vegetables.
Roasted Vegetables: A Simple and Flavorful Choice
If you’re not in the mood for salad, roasted vegetables are an excellent alternative. They are easy to prepare and bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables. From spicy carrots to lemony zucchini, these roasted vegetable sides are perfect with stuffed peppers:
Lemon Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks
These lemon parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks are a new favorite! Packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make in the air fryer, they are a perfect summer side dish for any meal.
Bowl of lemon parmesan zucchini sticks, showcasing their crispy texture and parmesan coating.
Spicy Hot Honey Roasted Carrots
Elevate any meal with these spicy hot honey roasted carrots. Easy yet elegant, they are a fantastic side for potlucks, dinners, or holiday parties, offering a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
Pan of spicy hot honey carrots, showing the glistening honey glaze and vibrant color of the roasted carrots.
Perfect Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
Make perfectly cooked frozen vegetables in the air fryer with just 2 minutes of prep! Faster than roasting and equally delicious, this method is a game-changer for quick and healthy sides.
Assortment of air-fryer frozen vegetables, showcasing their even cooking and slightly crispy texture.
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
This air fryer eggplant parmesan is lightly breaded, topped with mozzarella cheese, and served with fresh basil and marinara sauce. It’s a perfect snack or side dish if you’re looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
Plate of air fryer eggplant parmesan, highlighting the golden-brown breading and melted cheese.
Spicy Parmesan Air Fryer Asparagus
Convert any asparagus skeptic with this spicy parmesan air fryer asparagus. Ready in just 10 minutes with a few simple spices, it’s a flavorful and easy side that everyone will love.
Blue plate with spicy parmesan air fryer asparagus, emphasizing the vibrant green color and parmesan coating.
Lemon Parmesan Smashed Broccoli
Transform broccoli for even the pickiest eaters with this lemon parmesan smashed broccoli. Tasty, healthy, and dietitian-approved, it’s a delightful way to enjoy this cruciferous vegetable.
Close-up of lemon parmesan smashed broccoli, showing the crispy edges and lemon-parmesan topping.
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
These air fryer carrot fries are so good they can convert any cooked carrot hater. With just a few simple ingredients, you have an easy vegan side dish or healthy snack to satisfy your salt cravings.
Bird's eye view of a plate with crispy carrot fries and sriracha mayo, showcasing their fry-like appearance.
Spiced Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower
Frozen cauliflower has never been more delicious, quick, or affordable than when made in the air fryer with spices. Paired with an easy garlic aioli, it’s a yummy side dish or snack.
Air fryer frozen cauliflower with garlic aioli sauce, highlighting the spiced cauliflower and creamy dip.
Cheesy Garlic Frozen Roasted Green Beans
These frozen roasted green beans are the tastiest and easiest veggie side to pair with stuffed peppers. Minimal prep, affordable, and packed with cheesy garlic flavor, they’re a no-brainer.
Bowl of cheesy roasted green beans, showing the cheesy topping and tender green beans.
Moroccan Carrots
Add a flavorful twist to classic carrots with these Moroccan carrots from Whole New Mom. Made with warm, comforting spices and drizzled with a vinaigrette, they’re a unique and delicious vegetable side.
Bowl of Moroccan carrots, showcasing the vibrant colors and spice blend.
Coleslaw: A Budget-Friendly and Crunchy Side
Coleslaw is a budget-friendly side dish option that adds a cool and crunchy element to your meal. It’s also another great way to incorporate additional vegetables:
Asian Ramen Coleslaw
This easy Asian-inspired ramen coleslaw is packed with flavor and can be made in under ten minutes. Tangy, crunchy, and perfect for any gathering, it brings an exciting textural contrast to stuffed peppers.
Bowl of Asian ramen coleslaw, highlighting the ramen noodles and colorful coleslaw mix.
Potato Side Dishes: Comforting and Satisfying
You simply can’t go wrong with a good potato side dish. From crispy baby potatoes to cheesy smashed potatoes, these options are comforting, satisfying, and perfect partners for stuffed peppers:
Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
These air fryer baby potatoes are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. An easy, oil-free, healthy side that’s gluten-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly, they cater to various dietary needs.
Bowl of crispy air fryer baby potatoes, showcasing their golden-brown and crispy exterior.
Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
These air fryer sweet potato wedges are crispy, garlicky, and savory with a hint of parmesan. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re an incredibly easy and flavorful side for any main course.
Bowl of air fryer sweet potato wedges with a dip, emphasizing their crispy edges and dipping sauce.
Easy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
Salty, addictive, and much crispier than oven-baked, these air fryer diced potatoes are the easiest side for any protein or vegetable dish. Their simple preparation and delicious outcome make them a winner.
Close-up of crispy air fryer diced potatoes in a bowl with a spoon, highlighting their texture and seasoning.
Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
These cheesy smashed potatoes are truly the best way to enjoy potatoes. Super crispy and delightfully cheesy, you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds (and thirds!). They’re a decadent and comforting side dish.
Pan of cheesy smashed potatoes, showing the melted cheese and crispy smashed potato texture.
Rice and Grains: Wholesome and Flavorful
Rice and grain-based side dishes are excellent for adding extra fiber and nutrients to your meal. They offer a wholesome and satisfying complement to stuffed peppers:
Cilantro Lime Rice
This easy cilantro lime rice, made foolproof in a rice cooker, brings a refreshing flavor from lime juice and fresh cilantro. It’s a light and zesty side that pairs beautifully with the richness of stuffed peppers.
Bowl of cilantro lime rice, showcasing its fluffy texture and vibrant green cilantro flecks.
Curried Couscous Vegan Salad
This curried couscous vegan salad is an easy, healthy, plant-based recipe perfect for meal prep. Tossed in a tahini curry sauce, it’s full of flavor and nutrients, offering an exotic and satisfying side.
Close-up of curried couscous vegan salad, highlighting the couscous texture and curry sauce.
Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Rice
This one-pan cheesy broccoli and cauliflower rice is an incredibly easy and fiber-packed side dish. Full of color and flavor, it’s sure to impress even picky eaters, making it a great family-friendly option.
Pan of cheesy broccoli and cauliflower rice, showing the cheesy melted topping and vegetable mix.
Chickpea Feta Cucumber Quinoa Salad
This chickpea feta cucumber quinoa salad is fresh, herby, and a refreshing side or light lunch for summer. Rich in color, flavor, and nutrients, it’s a vibrant and healthy choice.
Enjoy Your Perfect Stuffed Pepper Meal!
With over 25 delicious side dish options, you’re now equipped to create the perfect meal around your stuffed red peppers. Whether you choose a fresh salad, hearty potatoes, or flavorful roasted vegetables, the right side dish will enhance your dining experience and ensure a balanced and satisfying meal.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different pairings to find your personal favorites. Each of these side dishes brings something unique to the table, ensuring that your stuffed pepper dinner is never boring.
Happy cooking!
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What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers
From vibrant salads to the BEST potato recipes, this guide offers over 25 of our favorite side dishes to answer your question: ‘what to serve with stuffed peppers?’.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sides
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