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Stuffed Banana Peppers with Sausage, Cheese, and Fresh Herbs Recipe

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4.2 from 30 reviews

These Stuffed Banana Peppers are a savory and satisfying dish featuring large banana peppers filled with a rich mixture of ground Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes, and creamy cheeses. Baked to perfection with a golden mozzarella topping, they make a wonderful appetizer or main course that combines hearty flavors with a mild pepper bite.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Peppers

  • 4 large Banana peppers
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil

Filling

  • 1 lb Ground Italian sausage
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 small Tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 4 oz Cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees F (191 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
  2. Prepare the peppers: Cut each banana pepper lengthwise in half and carefully remove all seeds and white membranes from the center. Arrange the pepper halves on the baking sheet with the open side facing up.
  3. Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until it is thoroughly browned.
  4. Add garlic: Lower the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about one minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add tomatoes and parsley: Incorporate the diced tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley into the skillet, cooking for another 2 minutes until the tomatoes soften and flavors meld.
  6. Mix in cheeses and season: Add the cream cheese, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until well combined, then stir in grated parmesan cheese. Season the filling with sea salt and black pepper to your taste.
  7. Stuff the peppers: Spoon the sausage and cheese mixture evenly into each pepper half. Top each stuffed pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese for added richness and melting goodness.
  8. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until the banana peppers are tender and the mozzarella cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.

Notes

  • Use gloves when handling banana peppers if you prefer to avoid skin irritation or accidental transfer of heat.
  • Seed the tomatoes well to prevent excess moisture in the filling.
  • Feel free to substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
  • The cream cheese should be at room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Serve warm as an appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/stuffed-banana-peppers-with-sausage-cheese-and-fresh-herbs-recipe/