Here’s my go-to formula for lunches & dinners
Using this formula is a great base to build a healthy meal without having to overthink calories, macros or other factors.
Making a “sandwich” with a bell pepper is a great way to skip the bread and make a healthy, delicious sandwich. It’s also a great substitute if you’re gluten free. Sometimes all I want is a simple sandwich but I know that if I want to hit my weight loss goals, carbs are not my friends.
Bell peppers come in a range of colors so feel free to mix up the color pepper you use. Any is fine in all of these recipes. They do all have a slightly different taste so pick which you like best or mix it up to get all the nutrients of the rainbow.
Simply slice the bell pepper as shown in the pictures, remove the seeds and add the fillings listed. Depending on your preferences, you can pick and choose options of non-starchy vegetables, protein and fats to make the perfect sandwich for you. Or try some of my recipes below to recreate some of my favorite meals, without the carbs.
Here are some fun pepper sandwiches that follow the formula, and are SUPER filling, healthy, and delicious 😉
Bell Pepper Sandwich Recipes
1. Shrimp & Avocado Salad-Filled Bell Peppers
🥒 2 cups veggies: 2 medium cucumbers for the salad + 1 bell pepper
🥑 100-200 calories of fats: 1 avocado, chopped
🍤 4-5oz protein: about 20 medium shrimp, cooked from frozen in a pan with an oil spray
Season with fat free vinaigrette dressing and red pepper flakes! I love the Trader Joe’s fat free balsamic vinaigrette. Here’s a list of my fave TJs dressings.
2. Mozz & Tomato-Filled Peppers
For the filling:
🍅 2 cups veggies: 1/4 onion + 1 cup cherry tomatoes + 1 medium cucumber
🥑 100-200 calories of fats: 1/2 avocado, chopped + 1 Tbsp oil
🧀 4-5 oz protein: 2 oz mini mozzarella balls
Season with balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, salt & pepper as you like. 🙌🏼 Cut open 2 peppers & fill them!
3. Greek Salad with Tortellini-Stuffed Avocados
100-200 calories of fats: 1/3 cup olives
4-5oz protein: 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 cups veggies: 1 bell pepper + salad veggies (2 cucumbers + 1/4 onion, chopped)
1/2 cup cooked pasta – I stick with one starch per day
And! Add 2 Tbsp fat free balsamic dressing with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano
4. Mozz & Meatball Pepper Subs
2 cups veggies: 2 bell peppers
100-200 calories of fats: 2 slices cheese
4-5oz protein: 4 meatballs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with tin foil. Spray with a cooking spray. Bake peppers for 10-15 minutes.
5. Reg’ Bell Pepper Sandwiches
2 cups veggies: 2 bell peppers + 4 slices of tomatoes
100-200 calories of fats: 2 slices of cheese
4-5oz protein: 6 oz deli turkey
6. Pepper Tacos / Nachos
~2 cups veggies: 1-2 bell peppers (depends on how “full” you want them!)
100-200 calories of fats: 1/2 cup shredded mozz or cheddar cheese
4-5oz protein: 5 oz ground turkey
Stir-fry ground turkey on the stove top with an oil spray. Line baking sheet with tin foil and spray with an oil spray. Cut peppers into medium-sized pieces. Top with turkey and cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
7. Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers
~2 cups veggies: 1 bell pepper
100-200 calories of fats: 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4-5oz protein: 4oz shaved beef
Stir-fry beef on the stove top with an oil spray. Line baking sheet with tin foil and spray with an oil spray – or use an oven safe dish like is shown in the picture. Cut peppers in halves. Top peppers with beef and cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
AND!
If you are looking for the EASIEST and most realistic weight loss program – that works for the LONG term (it incorporates weekly meal plans, how to stop stress & boredom eating, AND an accountability group) – check out my program HERE!
