Imagine biting into a perfectly roasted bell pepper, its vibrant colors glistening, filled with a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping that crackles with every forkful. These Italian Roasted Peppers are not just a side dish – they're a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched kitchens of Italy. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks gourmet but is surprisingly easy to make.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
- Wash the bell peppers thoroughly. Cut each pepper in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes. Pat the pepper halves dry with paper towels to ensure crisp roasting.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb mixture and stir until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated and can hold together when pressed.
- Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Generously fill each pepper half with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to compact the filling.
- Drizzle a small amount of additional olive oil over the top of each stuffed pepper to help the breadcrumbs brown and crisp.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the peppers to cool slightly and helps the filling set.
- Serve warm as a side dish or light vegetarian main course. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for added freshness.
Tips
- Choose bell peppers that are firm and have smooth, unblemished skin for the best roasting results.
- Pat the peppers completely dry before adding the breadcrumb mixture to ensure maximum crispiness.
- For extra flavor, try using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for an even crunchier texture.
- Don't skip letting the peppers rest after roasting – this helps the filling set and makes serving easier.
- For a flavor variation, experiment with different cheese types like pecorino or add some minced garlic to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use a high-quality olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan for the most authentic Italian taste.
- If you want a more golden-brown top, you can briefly broil the peppers for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
