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+ servings

California-Style Tilapia in Roasted Pepper Sauce

A quick, light dinner featuring tender tilapia in a creamy roasted red pepper sauce with a California twist.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, Quick Meals, Seafood
Cuisine: California, Mediterranean-Inspired
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

For the Roasted Peppers and Sauce
  • 2 large red bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon California olive oil divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice
For the Tilapia
  • 4 fillets tilapia, fresh or thawed about 4–6 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon California olive oil for searing
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Roast the Peppers
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Toss the sliced bell peppers with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Spread them in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
  3. Roast for 20 minutes, until the peppers are soft and lightly charred around the edges.
Make the Sauce
  1. Transfer the roasted peppers to a blender. Add the minced garlic, Meyer lemon juice, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Cook the Tilapia
  1. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the fillets for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Combine and Simmer
  1. Pour the roasted pepper sauce into the skillet around the tilapia. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serve
  1. Transfer the tilapia and sauce to serving plates. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon. Enjoy warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 35gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 520mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

If you prefer a smoky flavor, roast the peppers under the broiler for 5–7 minutes per side instead. For a dairy-free creamy sauce, stir in a tablespoon of unsweetened almond milk after blending. Leftover sauce keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days and is great on pasta or grilled chicken. To prevent the tilapia from sticking, ensure the skillet is hot before adding the fish. Serve with crusty sourdough bread or over rice to soak up every drop of sauce.

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