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Savory Stuffed Banana Peppers with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

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A quick and easy recipe featuring banana peppers stuffed with a creamy mixture of Italian sausage, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a comforting homemade dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium banana peppers
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and dry the banana peppers. Slice each pepper lengthwise from stem to tip, carefully removing the seeds and membranes.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Add Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture with ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently until creamy and well incorporated. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Carefully spoon the filling into each banana pepper half, packing it in but not overflowing.
  8. Arrange the stuffed peppers snugly in a baking dish. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until peppers are tender and filling is bubbly and golden on top.
  10. Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

If the filling seems too loose, add an extra tablespoon of Parmesan or a small egg yolk to help bind it. Watch the peppers towards the end of baking and tent with foil if they brown too quickly. Use room temperature ricotta for a smoother filling. Removing seeds from banana peppers reduces bitterness and heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed banana peppers, Italian sausage, ricotta, easy dinner, baked peppers, savory stuffed peppers, quick meal

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/savory-stuffed-banana-peppers-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-recipe-for-easy-homemade-dinner/