Description
Tender banana peppers filled with savory, cheesy, or meaty fillings—perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or light meal.
Ingredients
For the Peppers:
8–10 fresh banana peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheesy Vegetarian Filling:
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley or basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Meaty Option (instead of cheese filling):
1/2 lb Italian sausage or ground beef, cooked and drained
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Prep Peppers: Slice banana peppers lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Make Filling:
Vegetarian version: Mix cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
Meaty version: Cook sausage (or ground beef) with onion until browned. Stir in marinara and mozzarella.
Stuff Peppers: Spoon filling into each banana pepper half, pressing gently to fill.
Bake: Arrange peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and peppers are tender.
Serve: Garnish with extra herbs and enjoy warm as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Notes
For a smoky flavor, grill stuffed peppers instead of baking.
Make them spicy by mixing chopped jalapeños or hot sauce into the filling.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in oven or air fryer.
Works with mini sweet peppers for a milder version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Main Dish
- Method: Baked (or Grilled)
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
