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Easy Cheesy Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers Recipe

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A happy accident turned into a must-make recipe: tender banana peppers stuffed with a creamy, cheesy sausage filling, baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game day appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 medium banana peppers
  • 1 pound ground sausage (spicy Italian recommended)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  2. Slice each banana pepper lengthwise down one side, creating a pocket. Remove seeds and membranes with a small spoon.
  3. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground sausage until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until well combined.
  5. Stuff each pepper pocket with the sausage mixture, filling flush with the cut edge. Place stuffed peppers on prepared baking sheet, cut side up.
  6. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella over the tops of the peppers. Lightly brush exposed pepper skins with olive oil.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. For extra browning, broil for the last 2 minutes, watching closely.
  8. Let peppers cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip draining the sausage to avoid greasy filling. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth mixing. Choose peppers of similar size for even cooking. For air fryer adaptation, cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed banana peppers, sausage stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, easy appetizer, game day recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/easy-cheesy-sausage-stuffed-banana-peppers-recipe/