Bell peppers are a versatile veggie that can add color, crunch, and flavor to many dishes.
You can use them raw in salads, roast them for dips, stuff them with tasty fillings, or cook them in soups and stir-fries. Their sweet taste and crisp texture make them a favorite in kitchens around the world.
These 17+ recipes will show you new ways to enjoy bell peppers beyond just stuffing them.
You’ll find ideas for appetizers, main dishes, and sides that highlight the peppers’ natural goodness. From quick and easy meals to fancier fare, there’s something here for every taste and skill level.
Get ready to spice up your menu with these yummy bell pepper creations.
1. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty and versatile dish you can easily make at home.
These colorful veggies serve as edible bowls filled with delicious ingredients.
You can stuff peppers with a mix of ground meat, rice, vegetables, and cheese. Popular fillings include beef and rice, turkey and quinoa, or vegetarian options with beans and veggies.
To prepare stuffed peppers, cut the tops off and remove the seeds. Fill them with your chosen mixture, then bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot.
You can customize stuffed peppers to suit your tastes. Try different cheese toppings, spices, or sauces to create new flavors. They make a great main dish for dinner or can be served as a side.
2. Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
Bell pepper stir-fry is a quick and tasty dish you can make in minutes. It’s perfect as a side or main course.
To make it, chop red, yellow, and green bell peppers into thin strips.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the peppers and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring often.
For extra flavor, toss in some garlic, onions, or your favorite spices.
You can serve this colorful stir-fry with rice, noodles, or as a filling for wraps and sandwiches. It’s a versatile dish that goes well with many meals.
Try adding other veggies like zucchini or carrots to mix things up. You can also include protein like chicken or tofu for a heartier dish.
3. Bell Pepper Fajitas
Bell pepper fajitas are a tasty and colorful dish. You’ll need red, yellow, and green bell peppers, plus an onion.
Slice the peppers and onion into thin strips.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the veggies and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender.
Stir in spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.
Cook for another 2 minutes until everything is well combined. For extra flavor, squeeze some lime juice over the top.
Serve your fajitas hot with tortillas and your favorite toppings. Enjoy this simple and delicious meal!
4. Roasted Bell Pepper Soup
Roasted bell pepper soup is a tasty and colorful dish. You can make it with red, yellow, or orange peppers.
To start, roast the peppers under the broiler until their skin blackens. Let them cool in a paper bag, then peel off the skin and remove the seeds.
Next, sauté onions and garlic in a pot.
Add the chopped roasted peppers and some broth. Simmer the mixture, then blend it until smooth.
You can add cream for richness or keep it light without. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot with crusty bread for a comforting meal.
This soup keeps well in the fridge for a few days. You can also freeze it for later.
5. Bell Pepper Pizza
Bell pepper pizza is a fun twist on traditional pizza. It’s low-carb and easy to make.
You start by slicing bell peppers in half and removing the seeds.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pepper halves on the sheet.
Fill each pepper with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Mozzarella and Parmesan work well. You can add pepperoni, veggies, or anything you like.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly. Let them cool for a few minutes before eating.
This recipe gives you all the flavors of pizza without the doughy crust. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick meal.
6. Grilled Bell Peppers
Grilled bell peppers are a tasty and easy side dish. You can make them in just 20 minutes.
Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the seeds.
Brush the peppers with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place them on a hot grill for about 5-7 minutes per side.
You’ll know they’re done when the skin is charred and the flesh is tender. For extra flavor, try adding grilled onions or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Grilled peppers work well in sandwiches too. Slice them into rounds before grilling for an easy sandwich filling.
7. Bell Pepper and Quinoa Salad
This tasty salad combines nutty quinoa with crunchy bell peppers for a nutritious meal.
Start by cooking the quinoa in boiling water for about 20 minutes until tender.
While the quinoa cools, dice red and yellow bell peppers. Mix the cooled quinoa with the peppers in a large bowl.
Add some extra flavor with diced cucumber, minced jalapeño, and dried cranberries. For protein, toss in some chopped turkey or toasted pecans.
Dress the salad with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, orange juice, and your favorite herbs.
This colorful dish works great as a light lunch or side.
8. Bell Pepper Hummus
Bell pepper hummus is a tasty twist on classic hummus. It’s easy to make and full of flavor.
You’ll need chickpeas, roasted red peppers, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices.
To make it, blend all ingredients until smooth. Roast your own peppers or use jarred ones for convenience. Add smoked paprika for extra smokiness.
This dip is great for snacking or parties. Serve it with veggie sticks, pita chips, or crackers. It’s also good as a spread on sandwiches or wraps.
Bell pepper hummus is healthy too. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. You can adjust the spices to suit your taste.
9. Bell Pepper Pasta
Bell pepper pasta is a tasty and colorful dish you can easily make at home.
Start by cooking your favorite pasta according to the package instructions.
While the pasta cooks, sauté sliced bell peppers in olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onions for extra flavor.
Once the vegetables are soft, mix them with your cooked pasta. You can add some tomatoes or olives for more variety.
For a creamy version, blend roasted red peppers to make a sauce. Pour it over the pasta and veggies.
Top your dish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch. Enjoy your quick and delicious bell pepper pasta!
10. Bell Pepper Tacos
Bell pepper tacos offer a tasty low-carb twist on traditional tacos. Instead of tortillas, halved bell peppers serve as the “shells” for your favorite taco fillings.
You can use ground turkey, beef, or chicken as the protein. Season the meat with taco spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano.
Add diced onions and more bell peppers to the meat mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
Top your pepper tacos with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa.
This veggie-packed meal is colorful and nutritious. The crisp peppers provide a satisfying crunch. Bell pepper tacos are quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights.
11. Bell Pepper Omelet
Bell pepper omelets are a tasty and nutritious breakfast option.
To make one, start by sautéing chopped bell peppers in a pan with a bit of oil.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the cooked peppers in the pan.
Let the eggs cook until they’re set on the bottom, then fold the omelet in half. Cook for another minute or two until fully set.
You can add cheese, herbs, or other veggies to customize your omelet. This dish is quick to make and packed with protein and vitamins from the eggs and peppers.
12. Bell Pepper Casserole
Bell pepper casserole is a tasty and easy meal. It combines the flavors of stuffed peppers in a simple dish.
You’ll need ground beef, rice, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. Mix these ingredients with cheese and spices.
Bake the casserole until it’s hot and bubbly. The peppers will soften and blend with the other flavors.
This dish is great for busy weeknights. You can make it ahead and reheat leftovers easily.
Try using different colors of bell peppers for variety. Add your favorite toppings like fresh herbs or hot sauce.
13. Bell Pepper Ratatouille
Bell pepper ratatouille is a tasty dish that puts bell peppers in the spotlight. You’ll love this colorful mix of veggies.
To make it, cut bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and onions into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Grill the veggies for about 5-6 minutes, turning them halfway. This gives them a nice smoky flavor.
You can also cook the vegetables in a pan. Start with onions and garlic, then add eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini. Season with herbs like thyme and oregano.
Add chopped tomatoes last and let everything simmer. The result is a flavorful veggie stew perfect as a side dish or main course.
14. Sautéed Bell Peppers and Onions
Sautéed bell peppers and onions make a tasty, colorful side dish. You can whip this up in just minutes.
Slice your peppers and onions into strips.
Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the veggies and cook until soft. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
This dish goes great with grilled meats or fish. You can also use it as a filling for fajitas or tacos. For extra flavor, try adding garlic or Italian herbs.
Bell peppers are packed with vitamin C. This recipe is both healthy and yummy. You can use any color peppers you like for a bright mix.
15. Bell Pepper and Black Bean Chili
Bell pepper and black bean chili is a tasty and filling meal. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pot. Add diced bell peppers and cook until soft.
Mix in black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Season with cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste.
Let the chili simmer for about an hour. The flavors will blend together nicely.
Serve your chili hot. Top it with cheese, sour cream, or cilantro if you like. It’s great on its own or with cornbread.
This veggie-packed chili is healthy and satisfying. It’s perfect for cold days or when you want a quick meal.
16. Bell Pepper Salsa
Bell pepper salsa is a tasty twist on traditional tomato-based salsas. It uses diced bell peppers as the main ingredient for a sweet and crunchy bite.
To make it, chop up red, yellow, and green bell peppers. Mix them with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
You can customize the flavor by adding jalapeños for heat or corn for extra sweetness. Garlic and a pinch of salt help bring out the flavors.
This colorful salsa is great with chips or as a topping for tacos. You can also use it to add fresh crunch to taco bowls or other Mexican-inspired dishes.
17. Bell Pepper Jambalaya
Bell pepper jambalaya combines classic Cajun flavors with colorful peppers. You can make this tasty dish by stuffing bell peppers with a spicy rice mixture.
Start by cooking rice with chicken, sausage, and veggies like onions and celery. Add Cajun spices for a kick of heat.
Cut bell peppers in half and remove the seeds. Fill each pepper half with the jambalaya mixture. Bake until the peppers are tender.
This recipe is great for using up extra peppers. You can customize it with your favorite proteins or make it vegetarian. Serve it as a main dish for a fun twist on traditional jambalaya.
Nutritional Benefits of Bell Peppers
Bell peppers pack a powerful nutritional punch. They offer many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C. One medium red bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange. This helps your immune system and skin health.
Bell peppers also contain vitamin A, which is good for your eyes and skin. They have vitamin B6, which helps your body make energy from food.
These peppers offer potassium too. This mineral helps control blood pressure. You’ll also get some folate, which is important for making red blood cells.
Antioxidant Properties
Bell peppers are rich in antioxidants. These fight harmful molecules in your body called free radicals.
Red bell peppers have the most antioxidants. They contain beta-carotene, which may lower cancer risk. They also have lycopene, which is good for heart health.
Yellow and orange peppers have zeaxanthin. This antioxidant is linked to better eye health. It may help prevent age-related eye problems.
Green peppers have less antioxidants than other colors. But they still offer health benefits. They contain lutein, which is also good for your eyes.
Cooking Techniques for Bell Peppers
Bell peppers can be prepared in many tasty ways. Three popular methods are roasting, grilling, and sautéing. Each technique brings out different flavors and textures in the peppers.
Roasting
Roasting bell peppers gives them a smoky, sweet taste. To roast peppers:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut peppers in half and remove seeds.
- Place peppers cut-side down on a baking sheet.
- Brush with olive oil.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes until skin blisters.
Let the peppers cool, then peel off the skin. You can slice roasted peppers for salads or blend them into dips.
Grilling
Grilling adds a nice char and smoky flavor to bell peppers. Follow these steps:
- Clean and oil your grill grates.
- Cut peppers into quarters and remove seeds.
- Brush peppers with olive oil.
- Grill over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
Grilled peppers are great in fajitas, on sandwiches, or as a side dish. You can also grill whole peppers, turning them every few minutes until charred all over.
Sautéing
Sautéing is a quick way to cook bell peppers on the stovetop. Here’s how:
- Slice peppers into strips or dice them.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add peppers to the hot pan.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
Sautéed peppers are perfect for stir-fries, omelets, or pasta dishes. You can add other veggies or meats to create a full meal. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs for extra flavor.