🍽️ These roasted pepper rolls are not just appetisers — they’re edible elegance wrapped in smoky sweetness. From the moment you lay eyes on them, their vibrant colours and golden crust whisper indulgence. The aroma is intoxicating: roasted peppers, melted cheese, and herbs mingling in perfect harmony. Each roll is a mosaic of flavour — tender vegetables, creamy mozzarella, smoky provola, and juicy meat. The filling is rich but balanced, with veal and pork offering depth, and air-fried eggplant adding silkiness. The herbs — basil and parsley — lift everything with freshness. The bread softens the mix, the egg binds it, and the grated Parmigiano adds a final savoury kiss. These rolls are rustic yet refined, hearty yet delicate.
They’re the kind of dish that makes guests pause and ask, “What is this magic?” They’re perfect for dinner parties, Sunday lunches, or even festive tables. They freeze beautifully, making them ideal for batch cooking. You can bake them straight from frozen — no fuss, just flavour. They’re golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and utterly irresistible. The roasted peppers act as a natural wrap, locking in moisture and adding sweetness. The breadcrumb topping crisps up beautifully, creating contrast with the soft filling. They’re comforting, satisfying, and deeply Italian. They’re a celebration of seasonal produce and timeless technique. They’re easy to assemble, yet look like you’ve spent hours crafting them. They’re the kind of dish that makes you feel like a nonna, even if you’re not. They’re warm, welcoming, and full of soul. And once you’ve made them, you’ll want to keep them in your freezer forever. 🧡✨
⏱️ Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Starter / Main
🌶️ Roasted Pepper Rolls with Smoky Cheese & Eggplant
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🌶️ Bursting With Flavour — roasted peppers, smoky cheese, and juicy meat
🧀 Irresistible Texture — creamy filling, crisp topping, tender wrap
🍆 Air-Fried Eggplant — adds richness without heaviness
🍽️ Perfect For Freezing — bake straight from frozen with no compromise
🌿 Herb-Infused — basil and parsley bring freshness and aroma
🔥 Oven Or Air Fryer — flexible cooking options
🎉 Crowd-Pleaser — ideal for gatherings, holidays, or elegant dinners
📅 Nutrition Per Serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Sugars: 4 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Fibre: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
🌶️ Roll Into Flavour With Every Bite
👨🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-step)
✔️ Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Mix veal, pork, mozzarella, provola, cooked eggplant, soaked bread, egg, salt, pepper, basil, parsley, and pepper juices.
💡Tip: Use your hands to blend — it ensures even distribution and better texture.
✔️ Step 2: Roast the Peppers
Roast whole peppers until charred, then peel and slice into wide strips.
💡Tip: Cover with foil after roasting to steam and loosen the skin.
✔️ Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
Lay out pepper strips, spoon filling onto each, and roll tightly.
💡Tip: Don’t overfill — it helps them stay sealed during baking.
✔️ Step 4: Arrange in Tray
Place rolls seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
💡Tip: Leave a little space between rolls for even browning.
✔️ Step 5: Add Topping
Sprinkle with Parmigiano and breadcrumbs.
💡Tip: Mix topping with a touch of olive oil for extra crispness.
✔️ Step 6: Bake or Air Fry
Cook at 180°C for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
💡Tip: Use air fryer for faster cooking and crispier edges.
✔️ Step 7: Rest Briefly
Let rolls sit for 5 minutes before serving.
💡Tip: This helps the filling set and flavours settle.
✔️ Step 8: Garnish
Sprinkle with fresh herbs or extra cheese.
💡Tip: A drizzle of olive oil adds shine and aroma.
✔️ Step 9: Serve Warm
Serve as a starter or main with salad or crusty bread.
💡Tip: They pair beautifully with a chilled white wine.
✔️ Step 10: Freeze For Later
Freeze uncooked rolls and bake from frozen when needed.
💡Tip: Add 5–10 minutes to baking time if frozen.
🧀 Stuffed With Soul, Baked With Love
🛒 Ingredients
🥩 Ground veal — 250 g
🥩 Ground pork — 250 g
🧀 Mozzarella — 150 g, shredded
🧀 Smoked provola — 150 g, shredded
🍆 Eggplant — 2, cubed and air-fried
🍞 Stale bread — 1 slice, soaked
🥚 Egg — 1
🧂 Salt — to taste
🌶️ Black pepper — to taste
🌿 Basil — chopped
🌿 Parsley — chopped
🧀 Parmigiano Reggiano — grated, for topping
🍞 Breadcrumbs — for topping
🌶️ Roasted peppers — peeled and sliced
🧊 Storage & Freshness Tips
❄️ Freeze uncooked rolls in a single layer, then transfer to bags
🔥 Bake directly from frozen — no thawing needed
🌬️ Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days
🍽️ Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture
🧊 Avoid microwaving — it softens the topping
🍆 A Hug Of Pepper, A Heart Of Cheese
🍽️ Kitchen Tools and 🛠️ Equipment Needed 🔪
🥣 Mixing bowl
🔪 Sharp knife
🍳 Air fryer or oven
🧂 Measuring spoons
🧺 Baking dish
🧄 Blender or food processor (optional for eggplant)
🥄 Silicone spatula
📅 Nutritional Benefits
🥩 High in protein from veal and pork
🧀 Calcium-rich cheeses support bone health
🍆 Eggplant adds fibre and antioxidants
🌿 Herbs offer micronutrients and freshness
🍞 Bread adds slow-release carbohydrates
🥚 Egg binds and enriches the filling
🧂 Balanced seasoning enhances digestion
🌶️ Peppers are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene
🧀 Parmigiano adds umami and protein
🍽️ Satisfying without being overly heavy
🍽️ Rustic Elegance On Your Plate
🌿 Health Benefits of the Ingredients
🥩 Veal is lean and rich in iron
🥩 Pork adds B vitamins and flavour
🧀 Mozzarella is lower in fat than many cheeses
🧀 Provola offers smoky depth and calcium
🍆 Eggplant supports heart health and digestion
🌿 Basil has anti-inflammatory properties
🌿 Parsley aids detox and freshens breath
🌶️ Peppers boost immunity and skin health
🥚 Eggs provide essential amino acids
🍞 Bread adds texture and helps bind moisture
📅 Serving Suggestions
🍷 Serve warm with a glass of chilled white wine or light red
🥗 Pair with a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
🍞 Offer alongside crusty bread or focaccia for dipping
🍅 Add a spoonful of tomato passata or arrabbiata sauce
🧄 Garnish with roasted garlic cloves for depth
🍋 Drizzle with lemon-infused olive oil for brightness
🧀 Top with extra Parmigiano and fresh basil leaves
🍽️ Present on a platter with olives and pickled vegetables
🌿 Serve with grilled courgettes or asparagus
🍆 Add a side of mashed aubergine or baba ganoush
🔥 From Oven To Ovation
💡 Top 20 Tips
Use equal parts veal and pork for balanced flavour
Roast peppers until deeply charred for easy peeling
Cover roasted peppers to steam and loosen skins
Use stale bread soaked in water or milk for softness
Air-fry eggplant for a lighter, oil-free texture
Shred cheese finely for even melting
Add pepper juices to the filling for moisture
Don’t overfill rolls — they may burst during baking
Use a greased dish to prevent sticking
Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil for golden topping
Bake uncovered for crisp edges
Let rolls rest before serving to set filling
Use fresh herbs for vibrant aroma
Grate Parmigiano just before topping for best flavour
Freeze rolls flat before transferring to bags
Bake from frozen — no need to thaw
Use a silicone brush for even oiling
Slice peppers evenly for uniform rolls
Use a spatula to lift rolls without tearing
Serve warm — flavours bloom best with heat
♻️ 20 Professional Secrets
Use high-quality meat for better texture and taste
Add a splash of white wine to the filling for depth
Use smoked provola for bold flavour contrast
Grill peppers over flame for authentic char
Add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for warmth
Use a food processor to blend eggplant smoothly
Soak bread in broth instead of water for richness
Add lemon zest to the filling for brightness
Use a piping bag for precise filling placement
Layer rolls in a single layer for even cooking
Use parchment under rolls to prevent sticking
Toast breadcrumbs before topping for crunch
Add crushed fennel seeds for aromatic lift
Use a mandoline for uniform pepper slices
Brush rolls with egg wash for shine
Add a spoonful of ricotta for creaminess
Use a cast iron dish for even heat retention
Garnish with microgreens for elegance
Serve on warm plates to maintain temperature
Use a drizzle of balsamic glaze for sweetness
🍷 Perfect For Parties, Loved By All
They’re the kind of dish that invites conversation, that makes guests pause and savour, that turns a quiet evening into something memorable. And they’re practical too — made ahead, frozen with ease, and baked straight from cold without losing a hint of their charm. They adapt to your rhythm, your table, your season. They’re generous, forgiving, and endlessly customisable. But above all, they’re delicious. To cook them is to slow down. To serve them is to share. And to eat them is to feel nourished — not just in body, but in spirit. These rolls don’t just feed; they comfort, they connect, they celebrate. And once they’ve made their way into your kitchen, they’ll never truly leave. They’ll become part of your repertoire, your rhythm, your ritual. A dish to return to, to reinvent, to remember. A dish that feels like home. 🌶️💛
🎨 Creative Variations to Try
🧀 Ricotta & Spinach Rolls — replace meat with ricotta and wilted spinach
🍗 Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato — use ground chicken and chopped sun-dried tomatoes
🍆 Vegan Lentil Rolls — swap meat for cooked lentils and vegan cheese
🌶️ Spicy Chorizo & Pepper — add diced chorizo and chilli flakes
🍄 Mushroom & Thyme — use sautéed mushrooms and fresh thyme
🥬 Kale & Feta — add chopped kale and crumbled feta to the filling
🍚 Rice-Stuffed Peppers — mix cooked rice with herbs and cheese
🍋 Lemon & Herb — add lemon zest and fresh oregano for a zesty twist
🥕 Carrot & Chickpea — blend roasted carrots and chickpeas for a plant-based version
🧄 Garlic & White Bean — mash white beans with roasted garlic and rosemary
🥩 Juicy, Smoky, Irresistibly Italian
🎯 Common Mistakes to Avoid
🌶️ Using under-roasted peppers — hard to peel and roll
🥩 Overmixing the filling — makes it dense and tough
🧀 Using low-moisture cheese — affects melting and texture
🍆 Not draining eggplant — can make filling watery
🍞 Skipping bread soaking — results in dry filling
🔥 Baking at too high temperature — burns topping
🥄 Overfilling rolls — causes bursting during cooking
🧂 Under-seasoning — filling tastes bland
❄️ Freezing without spacing — rolls stick together
🍽️ Serving cold — flavours don’t fully develop
🌍 Variations Around the World
🇮🇹 Italy – Involtini di peperoni with veal, provola, and Parmigiano
🇫🇷 France – Poivrons farcis with herbed pork and Gruyère
🇯🇵 Japan – Yaki paprika rolls with miso chicken and sesame
🇺🇸 USA – Stuffed peppers with beef, cheddar, and barbecue glaze
🇩🇪 Germany – Gefüllte Paprika with minced pork and sauerkraut
🇲🇽 Mexico – Pimientos rellenos with beans, corn, and queso fresco
🇬🇷 Greece – Piperies gemistes with lamb, rice, and feta
🇰🇷 South Korea – Gochujang pepper rolls with tofu and kimchi
🇨🇦 Canada – Maple-glazed pepper rolls with turkey and cranberry
🇮🇳 India – Masala stuffed peppers with paneer and spices
🍞 Crisp On Top, Creamy Inside
🍣 Perfect Pairings
🍷 Light red wine — Pinot Noir or Chianti for balance
🥗 Arugula salad — peppery greens with lemon dressing
🍞 Garlic focaccia — for dipping and texture
🍅 Tomato chutney — sweet and tangy contrast
🧄 Roasted garlic mash — creamy and aromatic
🍋 Lemon herb rice — fresh and fragrant side
🍆 Grilled aubergine — smoky and tender complement
🍽️ Olive tapenade — salty and bold pairing
🧀 Burrata — creamy and indulgent contrast
🌿 Basil pesto — herbal and nutty drizzle
🌿 Wrapped In Tradition, Served With Style
❓ FAQ
🌶️ Can I use jarred peppers?
Yes — but roast fresh for better flavour and texture
🥩 Can I use only one type of meat?
Absolutely — veal or pork alone works well
🧀 Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes — use lentils, mushrooms, or ricotta instead of meat
🍆 Can I skip the eggplant?
You can — but it adds creaminess and depth
🍞 Can I use gluten-free bread?
Yes — soak and use as usual
❄️ Can I freeze them after baking?
Yes — reheat in oven for best texture
🧂 Can I add more herbs?
Definitely — thyme, oregano, or rosemary work beautifully
🔥 Can I cook them in the air fryer?
Yes — 180°C for 25–30 minutes works well
🍽️ Can I serve them cold?
Best served warm — flavours bloom with heat
🧄 Can I add garlic to the filling?
Yes — roasted garlic adds depth and sweetness
✨ These roasted pepper rolls are more than a recipe — they’re a celebration of flavour, texture, and tradition. They’re the kind of dish that brings people together. That fills the kitchen with warmth and the table with joy. They’re rustic yet refined, simple yet spectacular. They’re proof that seasonal ingredients can shine with just a little care. That roasting, stuffing, and baking can transform humble peppers into something unforgettable. They’re comforting, satisfying, and deeply nourishing. They’re perfect for family dinners, festive gatherings, or quiet evenings. They freeze beautifully, reheat effortlessly, and impress consistently. They’re a dish that feels like home. That tastes like love. That looks like celebration. They’re easy to make, yet feel gourmet. They’re flexible, forgiving, and endlessly customisable. They’re a reminder that cooking is creativity. That food is connection. That flavour is memory. They’re golden, juicy, and full of soul. They’re the kind of dish that makes you proud to serve. That makes guests ask for seconds. That makes you want to save the recipe and make it again. They’re a tribute to peppers, cheese, and herbs. To roasting, rolling, and sharing. To the joy of cooking and the beauty of simplicity. And once you’ve made them, you’ll never forget them. 🌶️💛
🎉 A Dish That Delivers Every Time
There’s something deeply comforting about a dish that feels both familiar and extraordinary. These roasted pepper rolls, with their tender layers and golden crust, offer just that — a moment of warmth, a taste of home, and a touch of elegance. As they emerge from the oven, bubbling gently beneath a crisp blanket of Parmigiano and breadcrumbs, the air fills with the scent of roasted vegetables, melted cheese, and fresh herbs. It’s the kind of aroma that draws people to the table before the plates are even set.
Each roll tells a story — of smoky peppers softened to perfection, of creamy mozzarella and provola melting into a savoury blend of veal and pork, of eggplant lending its silkiness and depth. The herbs whisper through the filling, adding brightness and balance, while the bread and egg bind everything into a tender, cohesive bite. They’re rustic in spirit, yet refined in execution. Whether served as a starter or the centrepiece of a meal, they command attention without ever demanding it.
