Tuna Stuffed Peppers

Tuna stuffed peppers are a tasty and relatively simple dish to prepare. Let’s see together how to make them Italian style.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 200 g of drained canned tuna
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of desalted capers
• 4 salted anchovies, desalted and chopped (optional)
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• Chopped fresh parsley, to taste
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil, as needed

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Wash the peppers, cut off the top (which you will use as a lid) and remove the seeds and inner membranes.
3. In a bowl, mix the drained tuna, breadcrumbs, capers, chopped anchovies if you decide to use them, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
5. Stuff each pepper with the tuna mixture, without packing it too tightly.
6. Replace the top of the peppers like a lid and place the peppers in an oiled baking dish.
7. Drizzle a little more oil on the peppers and add some water to the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking.
8. Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the surface is golden brown.

Serve them hot or at room temperature; they are great either way.

Interesting Fact

Stuffed peppers are a versatile dish found in different Italian regional cuisines with variants that can include different types of meat or cheese in the filling. The tuna adds a pleasant contrast of flavors with the sweetness of the pepper. Moreover, this dish represents a practical and delicious solution as both a second course and a main dish.