I’ve been obsessed with these peppers. Banana pepper recipes are healthy, delicious, and equally perfect for dinner, appetizers, or healthy snacks. This stuffed version reminds me of jalapeño poppers, but without the heat and made with sausage instead of bacon.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for stuffing banana peppers, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Banana Peppers – We’re using fresh peppers instead of the jarred variety. Choose large ones for easy stuffing. Olive Oil – For sauteing. Avocado oil, or any other heat-safe oil, would works as well. Sausage – I used Italian sausage, but any ground pork or savory sausage would work. You could also use plain ground pork and season with Italian seasoning. Garlic – I used fresh minced garlic cloves, but you could use 1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic for convenience. Fresh Tomatoes – Remove seeds for best results. You could also use canned diced tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand (be sure to drain well or use less so that the filling isn’t watery) or even substitute 1/2 cup of tomato sauce. Seasoning – Since Italian sausage is already well seasoned, I found that simply fresh parsley, sea salt, and black pepper were enough. However, you could add some Italian seasoning or dried oregano if you like. Cheeses – Cream cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Feel free to substitute the parmesan and mozzarella for an Italian cheese blend, or any shredded cheese that melts well.
How To Make Stuffed Banana Peppers
This section shows how to make banana peppers stuffed with sausage, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
Ground Beef Stuffed Banana Peppers – Use ground beef instead of ground Italian sausage. You could also combine ground beef and sausage for a unique flavor. For a leaner meat, try ground turkey or ground chicken. Stuffed Hot Banana Peppers – Want these banana peppers to have a little kick? Simply switch the Italian sausage for hot sausage, or use a hot variety of banana peppers. Or, try jalapeno poppers instead. Caramelized Onion – Spoon caramelized onion dip inside the banana peppers and top with a sprinkle of thyme or chives. Crab – After slicing and removing the seeds, roast the banana peppers in the oven for about 15 minutes, until soft. Scoop cold crab dip with cream cheese inside the banana peppers and serve cold, or top with cheese and bake for 10 minutes. Spinach Artichoke – Make stuffed banana peppers with spinach artichoke dip, transfer to a baking dish, and bake until hot and melty.
Storage Instructions
Store: Cool peppers completely and transfer to an airtight container. Avoid over-packing the container, as this can cause peppers to become soggy. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Meal prep: Since recipes for banana peppers are both refrigerator friendly and freezer friendly, they are a great make-ahead meal. Reheat: Warm leftovers in your oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until hot. Freeze: Place cooked peppers uncovered on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours, until firm and slightly frozen. Transfer to a freezer bag or container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat from frozen.
What To Serve With Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers
Banana pepper recipes can pair with so many sides, but this version works particularly well with Italian flavors: Doing so can protect your skin and eyes from capsaicin, which can cause irritation.
Rice – Regular rice is the classic option, but I prefer cauliflower rice or miracle rice for lighter options. Noodles – Make conventional pasta, or try zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash in the oven. Salad – Serve Italian-style salads like marinated artichoke salad, my favorite Caprese salad, or roasted vegetable salad. Toppings – Serve as an appetizer with additional toppings like marinara sauce, sweet a healthy balsamic glaze recipe, or homemade pesto.
More Stuffed Pepper Recipes
Peppers are made for stuffing! Try these delicious ways to enjoy them next: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
