Creamy tuna filling wrapped in tender roasted peppers makes Bell Pepper Involtini a handy make-ahead appetiser when you’ve got several dishes planned.
These colourful roasted bell pepper rolls make an easy and delicious appetiser. Filled with a creamy mixture of tuna, cream cheese, capers and anchovy, these Bell Pepper Involtini require only a handful of simple ingredients. I like to serve them as part of a buffet or barbecue, and I love how colourful they look on the table.
Besides, they’re served at room temperature, which makes them particularly convenient when you’ve got other dishes to prepare. The filling comes together quickly in a food processor, and there’s no last-minute cooking before serving. They’re a great option when you want an appetiser you can prepare in advance and bring to the table when you’re ready.
The flavours are all Sicilian, with tuna, capers and anchovies. They remind me of holidays at the seaside and the simple flavours I grew up with. Try them and let me know what you think!
Why We Love Tuna Stuffed Peppers
- Pantry-friendly ingredients like tuna, capers, and anchovies are easy to keep on hand.
- Individual rolls are already portioned and easy to serve from a platter or buffet.
- Make-ahead preparation gives you more time for other dishes when planning a larger meal.
Key Ingredients for Bell Pepper Involtini
Red Bell Pepper
Roasted red bell pepper is sweet and tender, with a soft texture that works well with the creamy filling. Red peppers are a good choice for their natural sweetness and vibrant colour, especially alongside the salty tuna, capers and anchovy.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese gives the filling a smooth, creamy texture with a mild tang. Its richness rounds out the savoury seafood flavours while keeping the filling soft and creamy.
Tuna
Canned tuna brings a savoury seafood flavour and a soft, meaty texture to the filling. Tuna in olive oil has a richer taste, while tuna in water is milder if you prefer a lighter flavour.
Capers
Capers add a salty, slightly tangy taste with a distinctive Mediterranean flavour. Their sharpness pairs especially well with tuna and contrasts with the natural sweetness of the roasted red pepper.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Bell Pepper Involtini
Step 1: Add the cream cheese, tuna, capers, and anchovy to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Spoon the tuna filling evenly onto the roasted bell pepper slices. Roll each slice around the filling.
Step 3: Arrange the pepper rolls upright on a serving plate.
Step 4: Garnish with capers and serve at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Jarred roasted peppers work well when you want a quicker option. Choose large pieces that are easy to roll and drain them well before filling.
Canned tuna in olive oil gives the filling a richer seafood flavour, while tuna in water has a milder taste. Drain either type well before using it.
Use wider pepper pieces and avoid adding too much filling. Leave a little space around the filling to make the involtini easier to roll and keep their shape.
Yellow or orange bell peppers are suitable alternatives and work with the same filling. They have a naturally sweet flavour and add different colours to the serving plate.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Choose Wide Pepper Pieces – Select wider roasted pepper pieces when possible to give the filling enough surface area and make the involtini easier to roll.
Remove Any Stems and Seeds – Check the roasted pepper pieces and remove any remaining stems and seeds before adding the filling for a smoother texture.
Leave the Ends Unfilled – Keep a little space at the ends of each pepper piece to prevent the filling from squeezing out as you roll it.
Start from the Narrower End – Begin rolling from the narrower end when the shape of the pepper allows it to create a compact involtino that’s easier to stand upright.
Secure with a Toothpick – Insert a toothpick through each involtino if the pepper keeps unrolling, especially when the roasted pieces are very soft.
Variations and Twists
Use Assorted Bell Peppers – Try red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a mix of sweetness and colour. They all work with the same creamy tuna filling and rolling method.
Try Jarred Roasted Peppers – Swap freshly roasted peppers for good-quality jarred roasted red peppers when you’re short on time. Drain them well before filling since they tend to contain more liquid.
Mix In Flat-Leaf Parsley – Blend a little chopped flat-leaf parsley into the tuna filling for a fresh herbal flavour that pairs well with the capers and anchovy.
Brighten with Lemon Zest – Mix a little finely grated lemon zest into the tuna filling for a light citrus flavour that complements the tuna, capers and anchovy.
Swap Cream Cheese for Mayonnaise – Replace the cream cheese with mayonnaise for a softer filling with a slightly tangier flavour. Keep the remaining filling ingredients and assembly method the same.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store Bell Pepper Involtini in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 4°C – 40°F or below. For the best texture, enjoy them within 2 days, as the roasted peppers can release moisture and soften the creamy tuna filling over time.
Don’t leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when the temperature is above 32°C – 90°F.
I don’t recommend freezing them because the cream cheese filling can change in texture and the roasted peppers may become watery after thawing. Take the involtini out of the refrigerator shortly before serving and let them come to room temperature.
Italian Appetisers to Try Next
- Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini
- Roasted Bell Peppers
- Tuna Ricotta Balls
- Pinzimonio (Tuscan Crudités)
- Sicilian Potato Croquettes (Cazzilli)
Bell Pepper Involtini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper – roasted and cut lengthwise
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 40 g – 3 tbsp tuna – canned
- 1 tsp capers – rinsed
- 1 anchovy
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, tuna, capers, and anchovy to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Spoon the tuna filling evenly onto the roasted bell pepper slices. Roll each slice around the filling.
- Arrange the pepper rolls upright on a serving plate.
- Garnish with capers and serve at room temperature.
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What a lovely bite! Red bell pepper and cream cheese are a match made in heaven!