Creating stuffed bell peppers with quinoa can be simple if followed step by step. Here’s how you can prepare this delightful dish:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Bell Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set them aside.

3. Cook Quinoa: In a saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.

4. Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.

5. Stuff the Peppers: Carefully spoon the filling into each bell pepper. Press the filling down gently to ensure it stays packed.

6. Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the filled peppers upright in a baking dish. If they don’t stand well, you can trim the bottoms slightly for a flatter base.

7. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

8. Add Cheese: Remove the foil, sprinkle cheese on top of each stuffed pepper (if using), and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

9. Serve and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

These steps outline a simple yet flavorful way to prepare stuffed bell peppers with quinoa without the stress!