Ricotta Stuffed Sweet Peppers (Printable Version)
Sweet bell peppers filled with ricotta, herbs, and Parmesan, baked until tender and golden.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Cheese & Dairy
03 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1 large egg
→ Aromatics & Herbs
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Seasonings
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes
→ Optional Topping
15 - 1/4 cup additional grated Parmesan
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes. Place them cut side up in a lightly oiled baking dish.
03 - Drizzle the peppers with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
04 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, egg, garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth.
05 - Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly into each pepper half, mounding slightly.
06 - Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the stuffed peppers. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan if desired.
07 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until peppers are tender and tops are golden.
09 - Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The ricotta filling stays incredibly creamy and light instead of heavy like many stuffed pepper recipes
- These peppers look stunning on the plate but come together with minimal effort
02 -
- The foil step is non negotiable if you want tender peppers without burnt cheese
- Room temperature ricotta blends more smoothly than cold straight from the fridge
03 -
- Look for peppers with flat bottoms so they sit upright in the baking dish
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated for better melting