7 Bell Pepper Recipes to Try

Part of the Capsicum genus, which also includes the gamut of chili pepper species, the bell pepper, or Capsicum annuum, is larger, rounder, crunchier, and milder than its small, spicy relatives.

A raw bell pepper provides approximately 97 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and—despite a natural sweetness—only contains 2 grams of sugar per serving. Red bell peppers also feature vitamin A and beta carotene, while most peppers have trace amounts of vitamin K and vitamin B1 as well.

The most commonly found bell peppers are green, orange, yellow, and red, though rare varieties of white, brown, and purple exist as well. Unripe green bell peppers have a more bitter flavor profile. Medium-ripe orange and yellow bell peppers are sweeter, with the sweetest being the fully ripe red bell pepper.

Brightly colored bell peppers are available year-round, and you can enjoy them in various ways, including roasted, stir-fried, sautéed, or raw. Here are some bell pepper recipes to try:

1. 1. Baked Italian sausage and peppers: Italian sausage and bell peppers offer just enough flexibility to suit the mood of a weeknight meal. Cook baked sausage and peppers in a baking dish with cooked rice (or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free meal) or pasta, and top with breadcrumbs and mozzarella for a melty, savory casserole.
2. 2. Beef steak fajitas: Steak fajitas are a Tex-Mex favorite of grilled proteins and peppers, often served with warm, homemade tortillas. Bell peppers, onions, cumin, and jalapeños sautéed in olive oil add heat to this effortless low-carb main dish. Learn how to make homemade steak fajitas.
3. 3. Mediterranean stuffed bell peppers: Stuffed bell peppers are visually appealing comfort food—and they’re especially delicious flavored with Mediterranean herbs and spices. Try Mediterranean stuffed peppers with a side of chickpea salad or Greek salad with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Alternatively, pair stuffed peppers with an Italian Caprese salad made with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil, or serve them alongside black beans and brown rice.
4. 4. Muhammara: Muhammara (“reddened” in Arabic) is a roasted pepper dip with origins in Syria and Lebanon. The classic way to enjoy muhammara is as an appetizer with crudités and toasted pita bread or pita chips. Make it part of a mezze (Middle Eastern appetizer platter) by serving muhammara with other dips, such as hummus. You can also use muhammara as a condiment and serve it with kebabs or in sandwiches.
5. 5. Quinoa-stuffed peppers: Quinoa-stuffed bell peppers make for a colorful, healthy gluten-free meal low in carbohydrates. Rich in flavor from garlic, black pepper, paprika, lemon juice, and melted mozzarella, quinoa-stuffed peppers are a rich source of protein that you can serve as a main dish or side dish.
6. 6. Roasted bell peppers: For a quick dish that requires short prep times and cook times, roast bell peppers on a sheet pan in the oven or grill them on a barbecue. You can enjoy this roasted veggie in infinite ways, including on skewers with grilled meat, over pasta with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese, in bell pepper soup, or added to meals like fajitas, tacos, or souvlaki. Season your bell peppers with paprika and cumin for a spicy kick, or a drizzle of fresh lime juice and cilantro for a tangy aftertaste. Learn how to roast bell peppers.
7. 7. Roasted red pepper sauce and yellow pepper sauce: This recipe from Italian chef Massimo Bottura makes two sauces—a roasted red pepper sauce and a roasted yellow pepper sauce—which can enhance the savory quality of virtually any vegetable, particularly other hearty winter roots, or even eggs, meats, and fish. Learn how to make Massimo’s bell pepper sauces.

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