A baked lasagna in a red casserole dish sits on a wooden table, topped with melted cheese. Fresh basil, grated cheese, sliced bread, and utensils are arranged around the dish.

Stuffed Banana Peppers

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  • A smiling woman with wavy, light brown hair wears a green apron over a blue denim shirt, standing with one hand on her hip against a dark background.

    I started my food vlogging journey in 2024, when I decided it was time to share my love of cooking with folks near and far. I grew up learning the ins and outs of the kitchen from my grandparents and my mama — they taught me that a good meal can bring people together like nothing else. Now, I’m proud to carry on their passion and share those same comforting flavors with y’all.
A person scoops cottage cheese from a container into a metal mixing bowl on a wooden table. The person is wearing a dark shirt with colorful kitchen utensil and ingredient graphics.

Let me tell you about my latest obsession-Stuffed Banana Peppers. These little guys are packed with flavor and the perfect blend of creamy ricotta, zesty Italian sausage, and a bit of spice. Trust me, they’re a hit at any gathering, and you’ll be the star of the backyard barbecue when you pull these out of the oven.

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I love how versatile these stuffed peppers are. You can whip them up for a casual weeknight dinner or impress guests at a weekend bash. They’re easy to make, and the combination of gooey cheese and savory filling is simply irresistible.

Seriously, these disappear faster than a cold beer in July!

So, let’s dive into why you’ll want to try this recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

First off, the flavors in these Stuffed Banana Peppers are just next-level. The creamy ricotta pairs perfectly with the savory Italian sausage, and the red pepper flakes add just the right kick. It’s a balance of richness and spice that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

A hand pours tomato sauce from a jar into a red and white oval baking dish on a wooden surface.

Plus, these stuffed peppers are super adaptable. You can easily swap in your favorite ingredients or adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Whether you want to keep things classic or get creative with different cheeses and veggies, the possibilities are endless.

And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a dish that looks as good as it tastes?

Ingredients & Tools You'll Need

Alright, here’s what you’ll need to make these bad boys. Grab yourself 5 to 8 banana peppers, depending on how hungry you are. For the filling, we’re talking 15 oz. of ricotta cheese, half a pound of Italian sausage, and a few simple spices to really bring it all together.

Don't forget the mozzarella and Parmesan for that cheesy topping! I go heavy on the cheese here because, let’s face it, cheese makes everything better. You’ll also need a good jar of spaghetti sauce-24 oz. should do the trick.

And, of course, have a casserole dish ready to bring it all together. Let’s get cooking!

A person wearing a glove holds and points to a hollowed-out pale green pepper over a metal bowl filled with similar peppers; a red dish with a chunky red sauce sits nearby on a wooden table.

How To Make It

Making these Stuffed Banana Peppers is a breeze, and I promise you’ll feel like a kitchen pro by the time you’re done. We’ll start with some prep work to get everything ready, then it’s time to bake these beauties to perfection.

Preparation

First things first, preheat your grill or oven to 350°. While that’s heating up, wash your banana peppers and trim the tops off. You want to cut a slit down one side of each pepper, but be careful not to slice all the way through.

The goal here is to create a pocket for that delicious filling, so gently remove the seeds to make room.

Now, in a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Give it a good stir until everything’s well blended. This is where the magic happens!

Don’t be shy-feel free to taste the filling and adjust the seasoning if you want a little more kick.

A person wearing gloves stuffs pale green peppers with a rice filling. The table holds a metal bowl of filling, a plate of peppers, and a red pot of tomato sauce.

Cooking

Now comes the fun part-stuffing those peppers! Gently fill each pepper with the mixture. You can overfill them a bit; it just means more deliciousness in every bite.

Once they’re all stuffed, pour the spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a casserole dish to create a nice, saucy base. Lay those stuffed peppers on top, cover the dish tightly with foil, and pop it in the oven.

Let it bake for about 55 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the peppers are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly. After that, it’s time to remove the foil and sprinkle those cheeses on top.

Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. You’re going to want to dive in right away, but let them cool for a few before serving.

Serving & Variations

When it comes to serving these Stuffed Banana Peppers, I like to keep it simple. A fresh salad or some crusty bread is perfect for soaking up that extra sauce. You can also serve them as an appetizer or a main dish-totally up to you!

Four yellow peppers halved and stuffed with a creamy filling are arranged in a red baking dish with tomato sauce at the bottom, on a wooden table. A person in a printed apron stands behind the dish. A person wearing blue gloves holds a package of Italian ground mild sausage above a metal mixing bowl with a black spatula, all placed on a wooden table.

Feeling adventurous? Try adding different ingredients to the filling, like diced veggies or even some black olives for a Mediterranean twist. You can also make them vegetarian by swapping the sausage for some sautéed mushrooms or lentils.

And if you’ve got leftovers-lucky you! They store well in the fridge for a few days and reheat beautifully.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it-Stuffed Banana Peppers that are sure to impress your friends and family. They’re all about comfort food with a little kick, and I can’t wait for you to try them out. Get ready to enjoy a dish that’s bursting with flavor and makes you feel like a rockstar in the kitchen.

A person wearing a patterned shirt and a purple glove mixes ingredients, including flour, in a large metal bowl with a spatula on a wooden table.

Recipe created by Cookin’ with Babe for Trust Me Try It.

Even more from Cookinwithbabe

A baked lasagna in a red casserole dish sits on a wooden table, topped with melted cheese. Fresh basil, grated cheese, sliced bread, and utensils are arranged around the dish.

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 5-8 Banana Peppers
  • 15 oz. Ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 lb. Italian sausage
  • 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 24 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
  • cup mozzarella (shredded)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan (shredded)

Instructions

  • Preheat grill/oven to 350°.
  • Wash and trim tops off the banana peppers.
  • Cut a slit down one side, not cutting all the way through, and remove the seeds.
  • In a mixing bowl, add in the ricotta, sausage, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
  • Stir ingredients well.
  • Gently stuff the banana peppers with the filling, they can be slightly overfilled.
  • In a casserole dish pour your spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom and lay the stuffed banana peppers on top.
  • Cover the dish tight with foil and bake for 55 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and sprinkle cheeses on top.
  • Return to the grill/oven, uncovered, and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Serve when ready.

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