Savory Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce for Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe
Introduction
This Savory Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce is a flavorful and easy dish perfect for weeknight dinners. The roasted bell peppers create a vibrant sauce that beautifully complements the tender, flaky fish.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets Tilapia (or cod/haddock as substitutes)
- 2 large Red Bell Peppers (or yellow/green for a twist)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
- 2 cloves Garlic (fresh preferred)
- Salt to taste (adjust to preference)
- Pepper to taste (adjust to preference)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (or lime juice for a twist)
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (for heat)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (basil or parsley)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to achieve a charred exterior on the peppers.
- Step 2: Slice the red bell peppers into strips, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes until tender and charred.
- Step 3: Remove the roasted peppers and let them cool. Then blend with garlic and lemon juice until smooth, creating the roasted pepper sauce.
- Step 4: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the tilapia with salt and pepper, then cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and flaky.
- Step 5: Pour the roasted pepper sauce over the cooked tilapia, add red pepper flakes, and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Tips & Variations
- For a smoky flavor, char the peppers under a broiler if you don’t have an oven.
- Try swapping tilapia with cod or haddock for a firmer texture.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce for an extra depth of flavor.
- Fresh basil complements the sauce nicely, but parsley works well if you prefer a more subtle herbal note.
Storage
Store any leftover tilapia and roasted pepper sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to keep the fish from drying out.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen fish for this recipe?
Yes, frozen tilapia fillets can be used. Thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure even cooking and a nice sear.
How spicy is the roasted pepper sauce?
The sauce has a mild to moderate heat level thanks to the red pepper flakes, which you can adjust or omit depending on your spice preference.
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Savory Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce for Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and flavorful recipe featuring tender tilapia fillets served in a rich roasted red pepper sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines the smoky sweetness of roasted bell peppers with the delicate flakiness of seasoned tilapia, enhanced by garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Fish
- 4 fillets Tilapia (or cod/haddock as substitutes)
Roasted Pepper Sauce
- 2 large Red Bell Peppers (or yellow/green for a twist)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
- 2 cloves Garlic (fresh preferred)
- to taste Salt (adjust to preference)
- to taste Pepper (adjust to preference)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (or lime juice for a twist)
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (for heat)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (basil or parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the peppers to develop a flavorful charred exterior.
- Prepare and Roast Peppers: Slice the red bell peppers into strips, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then arrange them evenly on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes until tender and slightly charred.
- Blend Roasted Peppers: Remove the roasted peppers from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Blend the peppers together with fresh garlic cloves and lemon juice until smooth, forming the roasted pepper sauce.
- Cook Tilapia: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper. Cook each fillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and flaky.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the roasted pepper sauce over the cooked tilapia in the skillet. Add red pepper flakes and fresh herbs, then simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Arrange the tilapia fillets on plates, spoon the roasted pepper sauce generously over them, and serve immediately for a delicious and healthy meal.
Notes
- Substitute tilapia with cod or haddock if preferred.
- Use different colored bell peppers for visual variety and unique flavor twists.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley add bright, fresh notes but can be omitted in a pinch.
- For a dairy-free and gluten-free meal, this recipe is suitable as is.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Tilapia recipe, roasted pepper sauce, easy weeknight dinner, healthy fish dish, quick seafood meal
