Grains

• Most stuffed pepper recipes call for a grain in the stuffing. The easiest grains to incorporate are rice or quinoa, as they cook quickly and absorb flavor nicely. You could also use couscous, farro or other grains that you have on hand.

Vegetables

• Sautéed vegetables are another primary component of stuffed peppers. When you cut the top off the bell peppers, save the useable parts of the pepper tops. Other vegetables to incorporate include onions, celery, tomatoes and greens (try spinach or kale). These vegetables should be minced and sautéed in olive oil over medium heat. Add the vegetables to a bowl of cooked grains.

Cheese and Meat

• Most stuffed pepper recipes call for some type of ground meat, often Italian sausage, ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken. However, meat is optional, as vegetarian stuffed peppers can be equally as delicious. Meat does help to bind the stuffing together, so add the cooked meat to the vegetables and grains. Adding grated cheese -- parmesan works best for Italian-style stuffed peppers -- will also help to bind the stuffing.

Another Binding Agent

• Many stuffed pepper recipes also list eggs, as eggs bring stuffing mixtures together. Once the meat, cheese, vegetables and grains are combined in a bowl, whisk one or two eggs and add them to the mixture.

Herbs and Spices

• Herbs and spices will add flavor to your stuffed pepper recipe. Always add salt and pepper to the stuffing mixture. For an Italian-style dish, add oregano and basil to the mixture. Caribbean spices can be added for Caribbean peppers, and Indian-style curry spices will add a different twist to the dish, too. Spices are up to the individual chef, as they can change the dish drastically.

  Once you have mixed spices into the stuffing, set the bell peppers upright in a baking dish and fill each pepper with stuffing. Top the peppers with another sprinkle of cheese, and bake in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for one hour. If extra stuffing is left, bake it in a small dish on the side. It makes for a delicious meal all on its own.