A few bell peppers (or capsicums) in the fridge, and not sure what to do with them? This collection of bell pepper recipes covers everything from stuffed peppers and cozy soups to quick stir-fries, vibrant salads, dips, and easy weeknight meals — whatever color you’re working with, there’s something here for you.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🫑 Unstuffed & Stuffed | 🥗 Side Dishes | 🍲 Mains
Bell peppers, or capsicums as we call them in Australia, are one of those vegetables I always have in the fridge. They’re colorful, affordable, and genuinely useful — sweet red ones for roasting, green for a sharper bite, yellow and orange for salads and snacking. And the range of things you can do with them is bigger than most people realize. Also, my 5-year-old eats the red ones raw, so I always stock up.
Over the years, I’ve stuffed them, roasted them, blended them into dips and soups, thrown them into stir-fries, and used them as the base for everything from Italian-style sides to hearty weeknight dinners. They pair well with almost anything — chicken, beef, sausage, seafood, beans, rice, pasta. Bell peppers really do earn their place.
This roundup pulls together the best bell pepper recipes I’ve come across, covering everything from stuffed and unstuffed peppers to quick sides, crowd-pleasing dips, and satisfying mains. Whether you’re cooking through a garden glut or just need fresh weeknight inspiration, these are the recipes worth making.
Unstuffed & Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed peppers are one of those dishes that feel a bit special without being much work. This section covers the classics — baked whole peppers with hearty fillings — plus a few smart shortcuts like skillets, stuffed minis, and a fun deconstructed version when you want all the flavor with less fuss.
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
These are inspired by the stuffed peppers I grew up eating, but made with quinoa instead of rice and loaded with roasted vegetables, toasted hazelnuts, and dried cranberries. They’re vegetarian, gluten-free, and genuinely filling — I like to finish them with a drizzle of garlic yogurt.
Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice
The crowd-pleasing classic — tender beef, rice, garlic, and plenty of cheese, all baked inside sweet bell peppers. Hearty and satisfying, and easy enough for a Tuesday night. Recipe from Healthy Fitness Meals.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
I keep coming back to these vegetarian stuffed peppers because they’re colorful, hearty, and loaded with flavor in every bite. The savory filling makes them satisfying enough for a meal or a snack, and they’re naturally gluten-free and easy to prep ahead—always a win in my kitchen.
Stuffed Pepper Skillet
All the flavor of stuffed peppers, made in one pan and ready faster. This is the version for busy weeknights when you want the comfort food without the oven time. Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.
Stuffed Mini Peppers
Just three ingredients and a few minutes — these little bites work beautifully as a snack, appetizer, or easy party platter. Mini peppers are underrated for how much flavor they pack. Recipe from Wholesome Yum.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Make-ahead friendly and ready to assemble in 15 minutes before baking. The cheesy chicken and rice filling is the kind of thing the whole family goes back for seconds of. Recipe from Jar of Lemons.
Side Dishes With Bell Peppers
Bell peppers make some of the best sides — they roast beautifully, come together fast, and somehow make everything on the plate look more interesting. This section has something for every occasion, from a quick weeknight sauté to a slow-cooked Italian classic worth making in a big batch. Recipe from
Roasted Red Peppers
This is my mum’s recipe, and it’s one I keep coming back to. Slow-roasted peppers paired with sharp garlicky oil (sometimes I add pickled onions) — it works as a side dish, a condiment, or spooned over eggs in the morning. Make a big batch; it keeps well and gets better as it sits.
Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad
Crisp, refreshing, and ready in 10 minutes. This went viral for a reason — it’s the kind of salad that disappears fast at a barbecue or alongside anything off the grill. Recipe from Eating Bird Food.
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip
Six ingredients, five minutes in the food processor, and you’ve got a smoky, creamy dip that’s good with pita, vegetables, or smeared on sandwiches. It’s a good one to have in rotation. Recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
Muhammara
This Syrian roasted red pepper and walnut dip is deeply savory, slightly smoky, and a little bit addictive. If you’ve never made muhammara before, this is a great place to start. Recipe from Rainbow Plant Life.
Roasted Pepper Salad
A simple, seasonal salad that really shines when peppers are at their peak. Great as a side or as part of a spread. Recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen.
Sautéed Bell Peppers
Tender, thyme-seasoned peppers in under 15 minutes — the kind of simple side that goes with almost anything and never disappoints. Recipe from The Natural Nurturer.
Peperonata
A traditional Italian slow-cooked pepper dish that’s intensely sweet and colorful. Nonna’s version — simple ingredients done properly. Wonderful with crusty bread, as a side for meat, or stirred through pasta. Recipe from Marcellina in Cucina.
Sautéed Peppers and Onions
A classic combo that takes 20 minutes and goes with everything — eggs, steak, pasta, tacos, you name it. Seven ingredients and you’re done. Recipe from iFoodReal.
Charred Baby Bell Peppers with Burrata
Blistered mini peppers served with creamy burrata — it’s simple to make but looks like something you’d order at a restaurant. A great starter or a summer dinner side. Recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Shrimp Stuffed Bell Peppers
Some recipes feel like they’re showing off a little, and these shrimp stuffed bell peppers definitely fall into that category. Sweet peppers become edible bowls for a savory shrimp filling, creating a colorful, protein-packed dish that looks impressive while quietly being surprisingly easy to pull off.
Bell Pepper Mains
Bell peppers do a lot of heavy lifting in a main course — they add color, sweetness, texture, and bulk to everything from stir-fries to soups. These recipes cover the full range: quick weeknight dinners, cozy cold-weather bowls, crowd-pleasing classics, and a few that are great for feeding a crowd.
Pepper Steak Stir Fry
Thinly sliced flank steak with red and green peppers in a quick, savoury sauce. Fast, satisfying, and one of those reliable dinners that always gets eaten. Recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.
Black Pepper Chicken
Juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a rich black pepper sauce — this one’s punchy and bold, and it comes together faster than ordering takeaway. Recipe from Omnivore’s Cookbook.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Flatbread
Pizza dough topped with roasted red pepper hummus and feta — a simple, vegetarian dinner or snack that feels a bit more interesting than your average flatbread. Recipe from The Almond Eater.
Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup
Roasted peppers blended with paprika and smoky Gouda into a restaurant-quality soup made in one pot. The kind of thing you’ll want to make on a cold night and eat with a big piece of bread. Recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Stuffed Pepper Soup
All the cozy flavors of stuffed peppers in a hearty, healthy soup — filling, warming, and much less work than making the baked version. Recipe from Downshiftology.
Philly Cheesesteak
Thinly sliced ribeye, diced onion, peppers, and melted cheese in a toasted roll. A classic for a reason — and this version is the real deal. Recipe from The Cozy Cook.
Chicken Fajitas
Nagi’s chicken fajitas are a weeknight staple for good reason. A great marinade, colorful peppers, and that sizzling pan moment that makes everyone come to the table. Recipe from RecipeTin Eats.
Sausage and Peppers
Juicy sausage with sweet, sautéed peppers and onions — a one-pan dinner that’s simple, flavorful, and the kind of thing people ask for again. Recipe from Butter Be Ready.
Save These Best Bell Pepper Recipes To Pinterest
Which bell pepper recipe from this roundup is your favorite for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner?