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Italian Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers

Banana peppers stuffed with Italian sausage, and cheese and nestled in marinara sauce
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 1 large casserole dish

Ingredients
  

Marinara Sauce

  • 1/2 onion rough cut
  • 3 cloves garlic rough cut
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 28 ounce can San Marzano whole tomatoes
  • 2 sprigs basil
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup red wine optional

Peppers and Sausage

  • 10 each whole fresh banana peppers
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1/2 onion small dice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp Italian season
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese 1/2 cup for the filling and 1 cup for the top
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup for the filling and 1 1 cup for the top
  • 1 egg beaten
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Marinara sauce

  • In a heavy bottom saucepan over medium heat add the oil and sautee the onions until translucent
  • Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes
  • Add the red wine and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes
  • Pour the tomatoes into a bowl and break them up
  • Add the tomatoes and basil sprigs
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer, occasionally stirring for at least 30 minutes
  • It is best to simmer for 1 to 2 hours
  • Remove the basil sprigs and puree with an immersion blender, blender, or food processor

Peppers and stuffing

  • Cut the tops of the peppers, and with a long skinny knife remove the membrane and seeds
  • Dice the pepper tops and add them to the diced onions
  • over medium-high heat, sautee the onions and pepper tops until the onions are translucent
  • Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes
  • remove from heat and set aside
  • In a bowl, add the sausage, cheeses, egg, and onion mixture
  • Mix until well combined
  • Place sausage mixture in a piping bag and pipe the mixture into the peppers making sure the peppers are completely filled
  • In a large casserole dish, cover the bottom with half of the sauce
  • Lay the pepper out in a single row and top with the remaining sauce
  • Cover with foil and place in a 375 oven for 30 minutes
  • Remove from the oven and remove the foil
  • Top with the reserved parmesan and mozzarella cheese
  • Place back in the oven for 15 more minutes
  • Makes a nice dinner served with side salad
Keyword banana peppers, itailan sausage stuffed peppers, sausage stuffed peppers
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