Pepper Bowl

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
×
Home / Recipes / Side Dish Recipes

PEPPERONATA(Potatoes With Peppers And Onion)

Published: Dec 6, 2020 · Modified: Jun 5, 2025 by Sujatha Muralidhar · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
PEPPERONATA

This classic Italian Pepperonata recipe is one of the few that tops the list of family favorites.

Simply sauté the onion, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, then simmer with spices—and that's it! Enjoy a delicious Italian-style side effortlessly.

Close-up of Pepperonata showcasing the vibrant colors of peppers and tomatoes.

Have you ever had a dish that instantly feels like home, even in a foreign country?

While on an extended vacation in Italy, I tried various foods, from restaurant dishes to home-style meals. This Pepperonata recipe (spicy marinara sauce) felt like pure comfort with its authentic Italian flavors; here I am with the recipe!

This is a highly customizable, easy pan-fried Pepperonata recipe. It is simple and easy to assemble. It is great as a side dish hot, chilled, or at room temperature. 

Plus, this Pepperonata is made with universal ingredients you may already have in your home.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Pepperonata?
  • ♨️How To Adjust The Heat
  • Storage & Reheating
  • FAQ
  • More Recipes To Try
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

⭐️Simple ingredients packed with flavor.

⭐️It's a delicious side dish.

⭐️Customize to serve a crowd.

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients for Pepperonata including peppers, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
  • Peppers: I used a combination of green bell peppers and sweet mini-peppers, but you can use any color bell peppers.
  • Onion: It compliments the textures of the pepper and the tomato.
  • Tomato: Fresh tomatoes are the best, whereas canned fire-roasted tomatoes are good too.
  • Potato: I have tried golden Yukon, red, or russet potatoes, which tasted great.
  • Cayenne pepper: This is an optional ingredient. If half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper is too much for your spice level, you can substitute it with paprika.
  • Balsamic vinegar: It’s delicious, sweet, and mildly tangy, which makes the Pepperonata taste delicious.
  • Olive oil: It brings a vibrant aroma and is excellent for simmered cooking.
  • Thyme+Basil: The flavor enhancer that beautifully blooms up makes every bite a happy moment.

How To Make Pepperonata?

Sautéing garlic and onions in olive oil for Pepperonata.
  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Adding cubed potatoes to the sautéed onions and garlic.
  1. Add chopped onions and cook until soft, then add potato cubes and cook until 90% done.
Mixing in sweet peppers and tomatoes into the Pepperonata mixture.
  1. Add sweet peppers, tomato, cayenne, and salt. Cover and cook until the tomato breaks down.
Finished Pepperonata simmering in a pan, ready to serve.
  1. Stir in balsamic vinegar, thyme, and oregano. Serve with crusty bread or pasta.

♨️How To Adjust The Heat

This Pepperonata tastes with a gentle heat and mainly comes from cayenne pepper.

You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your heat tolerance or completely substitute regular or smoked paprika.

Storage & Reheating

In addition to using the leftovers as a side dish, you can repurpose them to make scrambled eggs or add them to a grain bowl for extra flavor.

Transfer the leftover Pepperonata to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days and in the freezer for up to four months.

Let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat on the stovetop (in a saute pan, sprinkle with a little water to moisturize them) or in the microwave(in 30-second intervals) by stirring in between.

Delicious Pepperonata served in a bowl with colorful peppers and potatoes.

FAQ

What is Pepperonata?

This plant-based Italian dish is typically made with slow-cooking peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Seasonal additions, like potatoes and eggplant, vary by region in Italy.

Can you make the Pepperonata in advance?

Yes, you can make them ahead. The flavors meld, and they taste better the next day. Store them in the refrigerator and warm them on the stovetop or microwave before serving.

Can I make this Pepperonata in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, set it on high heat, and
cook for about three hours. Stir in balsamic vinegar, thyme, and just basil before serving. Enjoy with bread or pasta.

More Recipes To Try

  • Delicious chimichurri rice served in a bowl with spoon, garnished with lemon slices and cucumber.
    Chimichurri Rice
  • the tender curried broccoli tossed into spice blend and onion in a plate as a side dish for the dinner
    Curried Broccoli
  • hot honey Brussels Sprout, are in a plate, ready to enjoy
    Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
  • Quick & easy Cajun green beans served for weeknight dinners with full of flavor!
    Cajun Green Beans

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.

📖 Recipe

This classic Italian Pepperonata recipe is with peppers, potato, and onion. A great party-friendly recipe and a everyday comfort side dish.

Pepperonata(Potatoes With Peppers And Onion)

This classic Italian Pepperonata recipe is with peppers, potato, and onion. A great party-friendly recipe and an everyday comfort side dish.
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 large potato cut into cubes
  • ½ cup onion coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup sweet peppers sliced/any veriety of sweet pepper
  • 1 tomato
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ Italian herbs Thyme and basil

Instructions

  1. Over medium heat, place a saute pan. Add olive oil and minced garlic.
  2. Saute until garlic is fragrant.
  3. Now add onion, and sauce till the onion is soft.
  4. Toss in potato cubes and cook until potatoes are done to 90%.
  5. Then add, mixed pepper, tomato, ground cayenne pepper, and salt.
  6. Close it with a lid and cook unilt tomato breaks down.
  7. Now add balsamic vinegar, thyme, and oregano.
  8. Give a gentle stir and enjoy with crustrybread or patsa.

Notes

  • Customize Spice Level: Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred heat level, or substitute with paprika for a milder flavor.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1887IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Additional Info

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Author Sujatha Muralidhar
Subscribe to Pepper BowlSign Up Today! Join By Clicking Here!

More Side Dish Recipes

  • jalapeno corn casserole garnished with jalapeno slices
    Jalapeno Corn Casserole
  • spicy pickled carrots in a clear glass jar
    Spicy Pickled Carrots
  • This Spicy roasted butternut squash,
    Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
  • fried jalapeno in a plate
    Fried Jalapeno
  • Facebook
4.75 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The author image of the food blog pepperbowl.com

Hi, I'm Suja! I'm the person behind PEPPER BOWL, based in Pennsylvania. I focus on easy, simple-to-make recipes inspired by rich flavors with a hint of heat. I enjoy simplifying recipes with minimal ingredients to suit today's busy lifestyle.

More about me →

Recent Recipes

  • Baked BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs are garnished and served in a plate.
    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs
  • 11 best delicious aioli recipes to spice up the dishes
    Spicy Aioli Recipes
  • spicy saltine crackers served with spicy dipping sauce for the party
    Spicy Saltine Crackers
  • creamy, flavorful chipotle lime sauce in a spoon
    Chipotle Lime Sauce

Trending Recipes

  • jalapeno mustard in a dipping bowl.
    Jalapeno Mustard Recipe
  • This sauteed jalapeno is excellent as a side dish, in the salad, pizza, or the sandwich. Every bite is packed with flavors. with a mild heat.
    Sauteed Jalapeno
  • This delicious black pepper sauce is a Asian style sauce perfect to pair up with barbequed/grilled meat like steak or chicken or shrimp.
    Black Pepper Sauce
  • This stuffed cherry pepper, perfect to serve as an appetizer in the party or to serve the family. This cherry stuffed recipe is simple and ready in less than 30 minutes.
    Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Footer

About

  • Privacy policy and disclaimer
  • Work with Us
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Fabulous spicy

  • Meat & Seafood Recipes
  • Meatless Main Dishes
  • Salad Recipes
  • Soup Recipes

Make it hot

  • Dips & Spreads Recipes
  • Sauces & Dressings
  • Appetizer Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Curry Recipes

Copyright © 2025 - KODI Innovations LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.