Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce
Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce is a quick, healthy, and flavorful fish dinner featuring tender tilapia fillets topped with a vibrant smoky roasted red bell pepper sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish offers bold flavor with minimal effort and pairs beautifully with a variety of wholesome sides.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Searing and Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Fish
- 4 tilapia fillets (fresh or thawed)
Roasted Pepper Sauce
- 3 large red bell peppers (roasted, peeled, and seeded)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water or broth (as needed to adjust sauce consistency)
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or basil), chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Roast the Peppers: Roast fresh red bell peppers under a broiler or over an open flame until their skins are charred and blistered. Transfer them to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam, making the skins easy to peel. Once cooled, peel off the skins, remove seeds, and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. In a blender, combine the peeled roasted peppers, tomato paste, lemon juice, and water or broth. Blend until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and simmer gently until it thickens into a luscious sauce, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to taste.
- Cook the Tilapia: Season the tilapia fillets with salt and pepper. In a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat, pan-sear the fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Combine and Serve: Plate the cooked tilapia fillets and spoon the roasted pepper sauce generously over the top. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or basil and an optional squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately with your choice of side dishes.
Notes
- Steaming roasted peppers in a covered bowl makes peeling their skins effortless.
- Choose fresh tilapia fillets without strong odor or discoloration for best flavor and texture.
- Avoid overcooking the fish; remove it from heat as soon as it flakes easily.
- Adjust the sauce thickness by adding water or broth if too thick or simmering longer if too thin.
- Toast garlic and onions gently to prevent bitterness and bring out natural sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: tilapia, roasted pepper sauce, healthy fish recipe, quick dinner, easy seafood, gluten free fish recipe