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Easy Stuffed Banana Peppers with Italian Sausage & Rice

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Savory stuffed banana peppers filled with Italian sausage, rice, and cheese, baked until tender and golden. A quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 medium banana peppers
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1 ½ cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Rinse banana peppers, cut off tops (reserve caps), and scoop out seeds and membranes. Rinse and pat dry. Place cut-side up in a baking dish.
  3. Drizzle peppers with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast for 10 minutes until slightly softened. Remove and let cool. Keep oven on.
  4. Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, for 6-8 minutes until browned.
  5. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic, oregano, and basil. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Transfer sausage mixture to a bowl. Add rice, ¾ cup mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Stuff each pepper with the filling, mounding slightly. Top with remaining ¼ cup mozzarella and place pepper caps on top.
  8. Pour marinara sauce around the peppers. Cover dish tightly with foil.
  9. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly and peppers are tender.
  10. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the initial pepper roast—it ensures even cooking. Use day-old rice for best texture. Let peppers rest 5 minutes after baking to prevent filling from sliding out.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed banana peppers, Italian sausage, rice, easy dinner, crowd-pleaser, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/easy-stuffed-banana-peppers-with-italian-sausage-and-rice-recipe/