Incorporating red-colored foods into your meals not only adds a vibrant splash of color to your plate but can also be a sign of nutritious and flavorful ingredients. From hearty main dishes to light salads and indulgent desserts, red foods come in a variety of options suited for any meal of the day. This list of 22 red food ideas showcases the versatility and appeal of dishes that feature red as the star color.
Baked Feta Pasta
Baked Feta Pasta is a vibrant red dish that combines the creaminess of baked feta with the acidity of roasted cherry tomatoes. Ready in about 40 minutes, this dish is a visual and flavorful delight with garlic and olive oil enhancing the taste. The creamy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta offer a comforting meal with a pop of red color. This dish is a must-try for its simplicity and the rich flavor profile it delivers.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce
Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce offers a splash of red with its smoky grilled eggplant and vibrant hot sauce. This sandwich is ready in about 30 minutes and is perfect for those who love a spicy edge with their comfort food. The combination of hearty eggplant and gooey cheese creates a satisfying meal. A hint of green from the hot sauce adds contrast, making it a colorful and tasty choice.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce
Apple Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
Apple Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping are dotted with red cranberries, offering a tart counterpoint to the sweet apples. Bake these in about 30 minutes for a delightful breakfast or snack. The red cranberries not only add a burst of color but also a zesty flavor that complements the streusel topping. These muffins are a perfect balance of textures and tastes, with a festive hue.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers feature bright red bell peppers filled with a savory mix of ground turkey and rice. You can have this colorful dish on the table in about 1 hour. The peppers soften and sweeten in the oven, enhancing the hearty filling. This recipe is a visually appealing way to enjoy a protein-rich, flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Raspberry mini pavlovas
Raspberry Mini Pavlovas are a feast for the eyes with their bright red raspberries atop a white meringue base. Taking about 2 hours to prepare, they are a show-stopping dessert. The contrast of the sweet meringue and the tart raspberries is a delight. These mini desserts are perfect for impressing guests with both taste and presentation.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry mini pavlovas
Tomato Tart
Tomato Tart is a celebration of red with its juicy tomatoes layered on a golden crust. In about 1 hour, you can savor this dish that’s as tasty as it is beautiful. The herbed cheese adds depth to the flavor, complementing the sweet tomatoes. This tart is a great way to showcase red, ripe tomatoes in a delicious and eye-catching way.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Tart
Gluten-free white chocolate lava cake with raspberries
Gluten-free White Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberries oozes with a molten center and is studded with red raspberries. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dessert is a gluten-free indulgence. The sweetness of the white chocolate and the tartness of the raspberries make for a heavenly combination. It’s a visually stunning and tasty treat for those who love a pop of red in their desserts.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free white chocolate lava cake with raspberries
Strawberry rhubarb chia pudding
Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Pudding combines the red hues of strawberries and rhubarb in a healthy and delicious way. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this dish is both convenient and flavorful. The chia seeds create a unique texture that complements the fruit. It’s a refreshing choice for a breakfast or dessert that’s as nutritious as it is vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry rhubarb chia pudding
Sourdough Focaccia
Sourdough Focaccia is adorned with red cherry tomatoes, making it a visually appealing bread option. The 24-hour fermentation process results in a tangy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the tomatoes. This bread can be the centerpiece of any meal, offering both a pop of color and a delicious taste. Its versatility makes it a favorite for those who enjoy a touch of red in their dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Focaccia
Strawberry scones
Strawberry Scones are a delightful red treat, ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for those on a paleo diet. The fresh strawberries provide a burst of color and natural sweetness. These scones are moist and flavorful, making them an excellent choice for a grain-free breakfast or snack. Their vibrant red strawberries make them a visually appealing and tasty option.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry scones
Roasted pepper and tomato vegan quiche with sweet potato crust
Roasted Pepper and Tomato Vegan Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust is a colorful dish that takes about 1 hour to make. The red peppers and tomatoes add a bright pop of color to the creamy vegan filling. This quiche is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a plant-based meal that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Get the Recipe: Roasted pepper and tomato vegan quiche with sweet potato crust
Ukrainian bell pepper lecho, or the tried and true
Ukrainian Bell Pepper Lecho, or the tried and true, is a classic dish that cooks in about 1 hour and is rich in red color. The bell peppers and tomatoes create a comforting stew with a vibrant hue. The flavors meld together to produce a thick, satisfying sauce. This lecho is a wonderful way to enjoy a traditional dish that’s hearty and full of red color.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian bell pepper lecho, or the tried and true
Sour Cherry Sauce
Sour Cherry Sauce brings a bright red accent to any dish and can be prepared in about 20 minutes. The tart cherries create a zesty flavor that’s perfect for enhancing both sweet and savory items. This sauce adds a splash of red to pancakes, desserts, or meats. Its vivid color and tangy taste make it a versatile and appealing condiment.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cherry Sauce
Clean Raspberry Preserves with Honey
Clean Raspberry Preserves with Honey cook in about 30 minutes, featuring red raspberries in their purest form. The preserves have a bright, fruity flavor with a hint of sweetness from the honey. They’re ideal for adding a red touch to breakfast or dessert. The natural ingredients create a clean and delicious spread that’s visually and tastefully vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Clean Raspberry Preserves with Honey
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning is a quick, 15-minute dish that’s rich in red from the ripe tomatoes. The salad offers a contrast of textures and a blend of fresh flavors. The red tomatoes stand out against the creamy avocado, and the dukkah seasoning adds a crunchy element. This salad is a simple yet flavorful way to add a touch of red to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
Eggplant Shakshuka
Eggplant Shakshuka is a red dish that takes about 45 minutes to prepare and is perfect for any meal. The tomato base provides a rich backdrop for the poached eggs and eggplant. This dish is hearty, with a hint of spice, and is a colorful way to start or end your day. The red color is as inviting as the flavors are comforting.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Shakshuka
Raspberry Cheesecake with Raspberry Swirl
Raspberry Cheesecake with Raspberry Swirl is a luscious dessert that’s ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The red raspberry sauce swirled into the cheesecake adds a burst of color and flavor. The almond flour crust is a gluten-free bonus. This cheesecake is a perfect blend of creamy and tart, with a beautiful red swirl that makes it irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Cheesecake with Raspberry Swirl
Almond apple cake with apple roses for Rosh Hashana
Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses requires about 1 hour to bake and is a beautiful way to incorporate red into a dessert. The apple roses add a touch of elegance and a pop of color. This cake is a delicious combination of nutty and fruity flavors. It’s a visually stunning dessert that’s perfect for special occasions, offering a refined taste with a rosy red hue.
Get the Recipe: Almond apple cake with apple roses for Rosh Hashana
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Eggplant Tomato Stacks are a quick, 30-minute dish that layers red tomato slices with roasted eggplant. The balsamic glaze drizzle adds a touch of sweetness and a bold color contrast. These stacks are a wonderful blend of flavors and textures. They’re an easy and elegant way to enjoy the freshness of red tomatoes in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk
Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk is a traditional dish that takes about 1 hour to cook, featuring a rich red sauce made from tomatoes and peppers. The coconut milk adds creaminess to the spicy and tangy broth, enveloping the fish in a burst of flavor. This stew’s vibrant red color is as enticing as its taste. It’s a hearty and exotic way to enjoy a red-colored dish with a Brazilian twist.
Get the Recipe: Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk
Cold moussaka with kalamata feta sauce
Cold Moussaka with Kalamata Feta Sauce is a refreshing take on the classic Greek dish and can be enjoyed in about 1 hour. The bright red tomato sauce contrasts beautifully with the creamy feta and roasted eggplant. This dish offers a cool and tangy flavor profile. It’s a unique way to savor red-colored ingredients in a deliciously Mediterranean style.
Get the Recipe: Cold moussaka with kalamata feta sauce
Raspberry Coeur a la Creme
Raspberry Coeur a la Creme is an exquisite French dessert that takes about 10 minutes of prep time, plus chilling, to create a rich red centerpiece. The dessert combines cream cheese and raspberries for a light, sweet flavor. The fresh raspberries garnish adds a pop of red, making it as visually striking as it is delicious. This heart-shaped dessert is a romantic and flavorful way to enjoy red-colored food.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Coeur a la Creme