When it comes to making stuffed peppers, don’t draw the line at using traditional bell peppers. Try using something unique or something with a spicy kick, like these mouth-watering Stuffed Banana Peppers.
I always use a mixture of sweet banana peppers and what we believe are Hungarian wax peppers after a quick google search. With the farm stands bursting with fresh produce this time of year, peppers are popping up all over, and buying seasonal vegetables and fruits also makes them very affordable.
Why Stuffed Banana Pepper Recipes Work
There are so many reasons why stuffed banana peppers are a delicious recipe. For starters, the peppers themselves are incredibly flavorful and add a great contrast in texture to the sausage and cheese stuffing.
But moreover, the combination of ingredients in this dish just works so well together. The Italian sausage provides a lovely savory flavor, while the Parmesan cheese adds a rich flavor.
All of this is then topped off with a delicious marinara sauce, resulting in a dish that is packed full of flavor. Whether you’re looking for a healthy weeknight meal or something special to serve at a party, stuffed banana peppers are definitely the recipe for you!
Are Banana Peppers and Pepperoncinis the same?
Banana peppers and Pepperoncinis are both chili peppers, but they have several differences. Below are a few of the differences:
- Pepperoncinis are usually hotter than banana peppers, with an SHU between 100 and 500. Banana peppers can reach this heat level, but only green, red, and orange Banana peppers have Scoville heat units above 100.
- Pepperoncinis also have a different shape than Banana peppers. While a Banana pepper has a long, slender figure, a Pepperoncini pepper is usually broader and shorter, and looks like a small Bell pepper.
- Pepperoncinis also have thicker and more wrinkly skins, while Banana peppers have smooth, thin skins.
How to Make Stuffed Banana Peppers
Ingredients
- 6 Fresh large banana Peppers, split in half and cleaned
- 3 Italian sausage links
- 1 Cup spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce
- 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese
- 1 Cup cooked rice
- 1/4 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the number of peppers you make.
- Place sliced, cleaned peppers in a lightly greased baking dish
- In a small skillet, brown your sausage and drain any excess fat
- In a bowl, add the cooked sausage, rice, spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce, and parmesan cheese
- Mix until incorporated
- Spoon the meat mixture into the cleaned banana peppers and sprinkle the tops with cheddar cheese
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for 15 – 20 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the filling is bubble
- Serve with a fresh garden salad and crusty bread.
Stuffed Banana Peppers – Not your Grandmas Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 6 Banana peppers Split in half and cleaned
- 3 Italian sausage links
- 1 Cup spaghetti sauce
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese
- 1 Cup cooked rice
- ¼ Cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease baking dish large enough to fit the number of peppers you are making.
- Place sliced, cleaned peppers in a lightly greased baking dish
- In a small skillet, brown your sausage and drain any excess fat
- In a bowl add the cooked sausage, rice, spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese
- Mix together until incorporated
- Spoon the mixture into the cleaned banana peppers and sprinkle the tops with cheddar cheese
- Bake in a 350 degree oven 15 – 20 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the filling is bubbly
- Serve with a fresh garden salad and crusty bread.
Nutrition
I admit that when our dear friend brought us these banana peppers, I didn’t expect them to be spicy! Once my fingers stopped tingling, I did a little research, and I discovered that sweet banana peppers and Hungarian wax peppers look VERY similar! The peppers we had were a mix of BOTH, and the only way I could tell them apart was to taste one.
When it comes to hot peppers, most of the heat resides in the seeds and the ribbing inside. If you clean this out, you can reduce the heat of a pepper drastically. I urge you not to use your hands to do this. Wear gloves and use a spoon to scoop out the inside when cleaning hot peppers of any kind.
Other Ways to Stuff Banana Pepper
There are all sorts of ways to stuff banana peppers. You can go with a simple mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasoning, or get a bit more creative and come up with something really special.
My favorite recipe for stuffed banana peppers is by far this Italian version we’ve covered in this post. But there are a few ways to vary the recipe and keep it fresh.
- Try swapping out different types of proteins such as ground beef, turkey, or even ground lamb.
- Go vegetarian and use tofu, seitan or plant-based “meat.”
- Try adding toasted pine nuts or croutons.
- Finally, go crazy with the cheese! Try smoked Gouda or asiago cheese instead of cheddar or Mozzarella cheese.
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, you could put an Asian spin on your stuffed banana peppers. Try a mixture of cooked shrimp, edamame, and teriyaki sauce. You could also use chicken or pork if you prefer. The peppers are quickly roasted until tender then stuffed with the delicious filling.
More Recipes to Make with Banana Peppers
Peppery Pizza: Start with a classic pizza crust and top it with banana peppers, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. The result is a delicious and spicy pizza that everyone will love.
Pickled Peppers: Add some pickled banana peppers to your next sandwich or salad for a tangy and spicy flavor boost.
Deep-fried Banana Peppers: Dip deep-fried banana peppers in your favorite sauce for a delicious and savory snack.
Banana Pepper Poppers: These poppers are filled with cheese and bacon, making them a tasty and fun snack option.
Chowchow: This Southern relish is made with banana peppers, onions, green tomatoes, and vinegar. It’s the perfect condiment for hot dogs, hamburgers, or just about anything else!
Blistered Peppers: Cook fresh banana peppers on the grill until they’re blistered and blackened for a smoky flavor explosion.
What are the health benefits of Banana Peppers?
According to WebMD, Banana Peppers have many health benefits. Here are just a few.
They’re Good for Your Brain
Banana peppers are a good source of vitamin B6, which is important for the production of dopamine and serotonin.
- These neurotransmitters play a role in many aspects of brain function, including motivation, communication, and sleep.
- Getting enough vitamin B6 can help reduce the risk of sleep problems, mood changes, and other issues.
They Help Lower Blood Pressure
Banana peppers are a great way to lower blood pressure.
- They are packed with vitamin C, which is known to help control blood pressure.
- They are a good source of potassium, which can also help to lower blood pressure.
They Help Fight Obesity
Banana peppers are a good food choice for people who are looking to lose weight.
- The capsaicin in banana peppers has been shown to improve the body’s metabolism and reduce the accumulation of body fat.
They Help With Digestion
Banana peppers are a great food to eat if you’re looking for a way to improve your digestion.
- Their capsaicin content helps speed up the digestive process, while their high fiber levels can help reduce or treat constipation and other digestive problems.
- Additionally, banana peppers may also help increase your metabolism and protect against stomach ulcers.
Other Tasty Veggie Recipes
They look so fun and delicious to eat. Honestly, very different for sure. I did not know about the burning of fingers when working with this kind of pepper so thank you for the tip.
We do love stuffed peppers here so I’m going to have to try this recipe for sure…maybe with a milder peper though. I like the spicy but the hubby can’t tolerate them.
These were so good! The red sauce was a nice a different twist. Wouldn’t have thought of it!