Modern Gemista Traybake (Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes)

Gemista is the Greek style of stuffing ripe vegetables, most often tomatoes and peppers, with a fragrant rice filling and baking them until soft, juicy and deeply savoury. In this traybake version, the filling is kept light and fresh with courgette, onion, garlic, oregano, parsley, dill, olive oil and lemon, so the rice absorbs both the vegetable juices and the stock as it cooks. The result is tender roasted peppers and tomatoes with a herby, citrus-bright centre, served warm after a short rest. It works well as a vegan main course, especially with a simple salad or bread to catch the tray juices.
Cuisine style Greek home cooking
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Herby, bright filling: Olive oil, lemon, oregano, parsley and dill season the rice before baking, so the filling is aromatic throughout rather than just on the surface.
  • Everything bakes together: The stuffed vegetables and stock cook in the same tray, keeping the rice moist while the peppers and tomatoes soften.
  • Good warm or reheated: The baked rice and vegetables hold well, making this useful for relaxed dinners, packed lunches or make-ahead meals.

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Authenticity notes

  • Modern traybake style: Traditional gemista often uses a mixture of stuffed vegetables; this version keeps the same rice-and-herb idea but streamlines it into an oven traybake.
  • Greek-style home cooking: The combination of olive oil, lemon, oregano, parsley and dill gives the dish its recognisable fresh, Mediterranean character.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose firm vegetables: Peppers and tomatoes should be firm enough to hold their shape during baking, but ripe enough to release flavour into the rice.
  • Leave space for the rice: Do not pack the filling right to the top; the rice expands as it absorbs stock and vegetable juices.
  • Use fresh herbs where possible: Fresh parsley and dill add lift at the end of baking, while dried oregano brings a more concentrated savoury note.

Texture tips

  • For softer vegetables: If the vegetables are tender but the rice needs longer, cover the tray loosely and continue baking until the grains are fully cooked.
  • Keep the filling moist: Check the tray during baking and spoon in a little extra stock if the base looks dry before the rice has finished cooking.

Make-ahead tips

  • Reheat covered: Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven, covered, until piping hot, adding a little stock to keep the rice moist.
  • Freezes well in portions: Cool completely before freezing, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Good for meal prep: The rice and vegetables keep their flavour well for several days, making leftovers practical for lunches or easy dinners.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Cut the tops off the peppers and tomatoes, keeping the lids, then scoop out the seeds from the peppers and the pulp from the tomatoes into a bowl. Set the hollowed vegetables and their lids in a baking tray.
  2. Finely chop the onion and add it to the bowl with the tomato pulp. Crush in the garlic, then coarsely grate the courgette and add it too. Stir in the rice, dried oregano, 60 ml of the olive oil, and the juice of half the lemon.
  3. Pour in 250 ml of the hot vegetable stock and mix well so the rice is evenly moistened. Finely chop the fresh parsley and fresh dill, then stir most of them into the filling, reserving a small handful for serving. Taste and add more lemon juice if you want it brighter.
  4. Spoon the filling into the peppers and tomatoes, leaving about 1 cm at the top for the rice to expand. Put the lids back on. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the vegetables, then pour the remaining vegetable stock into the tray around them.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes, then reduce the oven to 180°C (355°F) and bake for a further 25 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the rice is cooked through. If the tray looks dry at any point, add a splash more stock from the tray around the vegetables. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Choose tomatoes and peppers that sit flat in the tray so they do not tip and spill the filling as they bake.
  • If the rice is still a little firm when the vegetables are tender, cover the tray loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes more, then check again.
  • For vulnerable groups, use stock that has been brought to a full boil and ensure the rice is fully cooked through before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh dill with extra Fresh parsley for a more parsley-forward flavour.
  • Replace Lemon with an extra 15 ml Olive oil for a softer, less tangy finish.
  • Replace Dried oregano with the same amount of Fresh parsley for a milder herb profile.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes until piping hot; add a splash of Vegetable stock to keep the rice moist. Freeze portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Modern Gemista Traybake (Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 25min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Greek
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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