Homegrown Bell Pepper Recipes: Sautéed, Roasted, Stuffed and Beyond
Did you overachieve and now have a big harvest of bell peppers and don't know what to do with them? Don't let them rot at the bottom of your fridge drawer! Here are 14 recipes that focus on making the most of your bell peppers at their freshest stage.
From appetizers like bruschetta, soups, and salads to more complex dishes like baked and stuffed peppers, these recipes can be prepared in less than 30 minutes!
Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a satisfying main dish, these recipes will help you make the most of your bountiful harvest.
1. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a classic dish where large bell peppers are filled with ingredients like ground beef, rice, onion, and tomato sauce. This hearty dish takes about an hour to prepare and bake in the oven. Serve it with a side of toasted bread and a green salad for a satisfying meal.
Recipe: https://thecozycook.com/stuffed-bell-peppers/
2. Bell Pepper Pasta Salad
A pasta salad made with colorful bell peppers is perfect for picnics or as a side at dinner parties. Simply cook your favorite pasta, then toss it with diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and a tangy vinaigrette made with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and can be enjoyed warm or chilled. You can also add chicken or cheese, or keep it vegan as is!
Recipe: https://ohmyveggies.com/bell-pepper-and-corn-pasta-salad/
3. Bell Pepper Chili
Bell peppers add a sweet note to the traditional chili recipe! Whether you're using ground beef or spicy sausage, bell peppers complement the hearty flavors of tomatoes and beans, unless you're one of those people who add pasta to your chili!. This chili is best served topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and a dash of hot sauce for a comforting meal that's perfect for cozy nights.
Recipe: https://boundbyfood.com/seven-pepper-chili/
4. Bell Pepper Fajitas
Bell peppers are a key ingredient in Tex-Mex fajita recipes. Slice colored peppers and onions into strips, then sauté them with your choice of protein or mushrooms in a hot skillet with spices like chili powder and cumin. Once ready, serve sizzling hot with tortillas topped with your choice of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for a family dinner that everyone will enjoy!
Recipe: https://www.thegardengrazer.com/portobello-fajitas/
5. Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
For this recipe, you will need your most colorful bell peppers to stir-fry with fresh veggies and your protein of choice. This dish takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish (depending on your chopping skills) and is an ideal option for easy weeknight dinners. Finish it off with a nice big bowl of brown rice.
Recipe: https://www.cookingandme.com/capsicum-masala-recipe-capsicum-masala/
6. Bell Pepper Pizza
Bell peppers make crunchy add-ons for homemade pizza! Whether you decide to get store-bought dough or make it from scratch, the process is easy. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, layer on tomato sauce, sliced bell peppers, and your favorite cheese like shredded mozzarella or gorgonzola, and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. The best part of this recipe is that you can customize it with different toppings, making it a fun way to get creative in the kitchen.
Recipe https://www.theseasonalhomestead.com/category/seed-starting/
7. Denver Omelet
Omelets are hearty breakfast or brunch options that you can make in a pinch or take your time to make fancy. The best part is you can put whatever you want in them, but for a Denver omelet, you need ham, cheese, bell peppers, and onions. Serve hot with a side of crispy potatoes, toast, or, in this case, green chili salsa!
Recipe: https://littlecitygardenandtable.com/denver-omelet-with-colorado-green-chili-colorado/
8. Roasted Bell Pepper Caprese Salad
A caprese salad is a fresh appetizer for the summer, with its seasonal fresh tomatoes and soft mozzarella. It’s a light and flavorful dish. For this recipe, you'll change things up a bit. You can decide to leave the tomatoes in or out, but the main star will be the sautéed peppers with bite-sized mozzarella balls. Put everything together and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley. Serve as a starter or a side dish for summer gatherings.
Recipe: https://meghanitup.com/the-best-ever-roasted-bell-pepper-caprese-salad/
9. Bell Pepper Soup
Bell pepper soup is easy to make and can be cooked as a vegan or traditional version. For the vegan version, trade the chicken stock for vegetable stock and use coconut milk to make it a cream of bell pepper soup. This soup is both comforting and nutritious, and it's a quick trick to use up those forgotten bell peppers at the back of your veggie drawer! As mentioned, for the vegan alternative, you can make it creamy by adding coconut cream or milk and letting it thicken.
Recipe: https://www.myfrugalhome.com/bell-pepper-soup/
10. Garden Salsa
Garden salsa is just as the name suggests—a compilation of all your garden harvest, like cucumbers, kale, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, some garlic and bell peppers, all cubbed and mixed together in one bowl with olive oil and vinegar. Enjoy your garden salad with tortilla chips, chile con queso, or grilled meats. Even if your harvest consists only of bell peppers and tomatoes, add herbs to make a fresh garden salad that's perfect for a backyard snack, potluck dish, or as a tasty treat while working!
Recipe: https://www.thegardengrazer.com/fresh-garden-salsa/#recipe
11. Bell Pepper and Sausage Skewers
For this dish bell peppers are not the main start but still help pack on the flavor punch! Thread chunks of colored bell peppers and spicy sausage onto skewers, then grill over medium-high heat until the peppers are tender and lightly charred. Serve hot with a side of rice or grilled vegetables for a tasty meal that's perfect for outdoor dining or summer BBQ gatherings!
Recipe: https://www.simplyscratch.com/30-minute-chicken-sausage-italian-vegetable-kebabs/
12. Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Roasted red pepper and tomato soup is a comforting twist on traditional bell pepper soup, ideal for cooler evenings. Start by roasting red bell peppers, tomatoes, and garlic until charred and tender. Then, blend them with chicken stock until smooth and simmer until flavors meld. Serve piping hot with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, accompanied by crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Recipe: https://fussfreeflavours.com/roasted-tomato-red-pepper-soup/
13. Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers
Quinoa-stuffed bell peppers offer a vegetarian twist on traditional stuffed peppers. Substitute meat with quinoa and pantry staples like onions, corn, garlic, black beans, and additional diced bell peppers. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and serve alongside a simple green salad for a wholesome and satisfying meal!
Recipe: https://www.thegardengrazer.com/mexican-quinoa-stuffed-peppers/
14. Roasted bell Pepper Bruschetta
Bell pepper bruschetta is a vibrant twist on the classic Italian appetizer. In this recipe, dice bell peppers and roast them with garlic and olive oil until tender. Spread the mixture onto toasted baguette slices and customize it with your choice of cheese—whether it's Parmesan, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, or feta cheese. Add red onions, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar for a burst of flavors!
Final Thoughts
Notice how bell peppers, especially red ones, are versatile substitutes for tomatoes once roasted!
Bell peppers often go overlooked, but the reality is they are versatile, and in less than 30 minutes, you can make delicious summer meals. They're perfect for simple soups or dinner party spreads, or even summer night snacks!
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