Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings
A hearty stew featuring smoky fire-roasted tomatoes and sweet peppers, served with tender cornmeal dumplings inspired by Appalachian cooking. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs medium, halved roma tomatoes, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 5, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 medium, halved roma tomatoes
- 3 large, seeded and quartered red bell peppers
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat broiler to high. Arrange 6 halved roma tomatoes and 3 quartered red bell peppers on a baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and broil for 8-10 minutes until skins are charred and blistered.
- Step 2: Transfer charred tomatoes and peppers to a blender and pulse until coarsely pureed.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in the pureed tomato and pepper mixture along with 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder in a bowl. Cut in 2 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 6: Stir in 2/3 cup buttermilk just until a soft dough forms.
- Step 7: Drop spoonfuls of the cornmeal dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until dumplings are firm and cooked through.
- Step 8: Serve stew hot with dumplings nestled inside for a smoky, comforting meal.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, halved roma tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Smoked Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
