Description
These Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce are a delightful combination of spicy peppers filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, rice, and cheese, baked to perfection in a flavorful tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stuffed Peppers:
- 6 banana peppers (tops cut, seeds removed)
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 1/2 cup cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Sauté diced onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic, marinara sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Prepare the Stuffed Peppers: Mix sausage, rice, Parmesan, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Stuff each pepper with the mixture.
- Bake: Spread tomato sauce in a baking dish, arrange peppers, pour remaining sauce on top. Bake covered for 35 minutes, then uncovered with mozzarella for 10–15 minutes.
Notes
- You can substitute banana peppers with poblano or bell peppers for a milder or larger option.
- For a lower-carb version, omit the rice.
- Great served with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
