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Stuffed Banana Peppers Recipe with Sausage & Cheese
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Stuffed Banana Peppers Recipe

Tender banana peppers stuffed with savory Italian sausage, creamy cheese, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, then topped with melted mozzarella and baked until golden and bubbly.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 8 stuffed pepper halves
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 medium banana peppers
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Wash and dry the banana peppers. Slice them lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes.
  • Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up in the prepared baking dish.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 7–9 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles.
  • Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until smooth and combined.
  • Stir in the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • Spoon the sausage mixture evenly into the banana pepper halves.
  • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top of each pepper.
  • Bake uncovered for 18–25 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  • For a golden cheese topping, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
  • Let the peppers rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Banana peppers vary in heat, so the spice level can differ from one batch to another.
  • Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder result.
  • Softened cream cheese blends more easily into the warm sausage mixture.
  • Don't overfill the peppers, as the filling can bubble over during baking.
  • If using very large peppers, you may need a few extra minutes of baking time.
  • Watch carefully when broiling because the mozzarella can brown quickly.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: ~300 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: ~8 g
  • Protein: ~16 g
  • Fat: ~23 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~9 g
  • Cholesterol: ~65 mg
  • Sodium: ~700 mg
  • Fiber: ~2 g
  • Sugar: ~4 g