Stuffed Banana Peppers

If you’re looking for a delicious and flavorful appetizer or side dish, look no further than Stuffed Banana Peppers. This recipe is sure to impress your guests with its combination of tangy banana peppers and savory fillings. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to elevate your weeknight meal, this dish is a winner.

Ingredients:

6 fresh banana peppers
1/2 pound Italian sausage
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking dish with foil.
Cut the tops off the banana peppers and remove the seeds.
In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a bowl, combine the cooked sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Divide the sausage mixture evenly among the banana peppers, stuffing each one well.
Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish and pour marinara sauce over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the tops of the peppers, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

If you’re wondering how to prepare this delicious Stuffed Banana Peppers recipe, look no further. The process is simple and straightforward, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced cooks.

How to Prepare:

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking dish with foil. This will make clean-up a breeze. Next, cut the tops off the banana peppers and remove the seeds. You want to create a hollow space for the filling.

In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. Remove it from the heat and let it cool. In a separate bowl, combine the cooked sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, chopped basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix it all together until well combined.

Now, it’s time to stuff the banana peppers. Take the sausage mixture and divide it equally among the peppers, making sure to pack it in well. You want to maximize the flavor and texture of each bite. Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish and pour marinara sauce over the top, evenly distributing it over the peppers.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the peppers to soften. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the tops of the peppers. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Once the peppers are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help them firm up slightly and make them easier to handle. Serve them as an appetizer or alongside your favorite main course.

Preparation Time:

This Stuffed Banana Peppers recipe takes approximately 20 minutes to prepare, not including the time it takes to preheat the oven or for the peppers to cool after baking. It’s a fairly quick and easy dish to make, perfect for a busy weeknight or last-minute entertaining.

Servings:

This recipe yields 6 servings, with each person enjoying one stuffed banana pepper. However, feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your needs. If you’re serving this as an appetizer, you may want to account for additional servings.

Nutrition Facts:

While this Stuffed Banana Peppers recipe is delicious and satisfying, it’s important to consider the nutritional aspects of the dish. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 342
Total Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 706mg
Total Carbohydrates: 25g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 17g

Please note that these values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.

Tips:

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this Stuffed Banana Peppers recipe:

Choose fresh, firm banana peppers for the best results. Avoid peppers that are overly soft or wrinkled.
If you prefer a milder heat level, you can remove the seeds from the banana peppers before stuffing them. The seeds are where most of the heat resides.
If you like a little extra kick, feel free to add more crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture.
For added flavor, consider using a homemade marinara sauce. However, store-bought marinara sauces work just as well.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be enjoyed cold or reheated for another meal.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use a different type of cheese instead of mozzarella?

A: Absolutely! While mozzarella is a classic choice for stuffed peppers, you can experiment with other cheeses to suit your taste. Cheddar, provolone, or even goat cheese would work well.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can prepare the stuffed peppers ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Simply cover the dish tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the foil and follow the baking instructions as written.

Q: Can I freeze the stuffed peppers?

A: Yes, you can freeze the stuffed peppers before baking them. Place the stuffed peppers in a freezer-safe container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and follow the baking instructions as written.

These Stuffed Banana Peppers are a crowd-pleasing dish that impresses with both its presentation and flavors. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply looking to elevate your weeknight meal, this recipe is a winner. The tangy banana peppers complement the savory fillings perfectly, creating a burst of flavor with every bite. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the deliciousness!

Stuffed Banana Peppers