Bob's Stuffed Banana Peppers

Stuffed banana peppers filled with a savory Italian sausage and cheese mixture are baked in a seasoned tomato sauce for a delicious dinner.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 593 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 8 banana peppers
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage
• 0.5 cup chopped celery
• 0.5 cup chopped onion
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups bread crumbs
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
• 2.5 teaspoons salt, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add peppers, reduce heat, and simmer until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Fill each pepper with sausage mixture using a piping bag or sausage stuffer. Place in a 3-quart casserole dish; pour remaining tomato sauce mixture over peppers.

Step 4

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until sauce is bubbly and sausage is cooked through, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the filling should read at least 160 degrees F (72 degrees C).

Step 5

Cut off the tops of peppers. Remove ribs and seeds; rinse peppers. Chop edible portion of the tops; set aside.

Step 6

Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Sauté reserved chopped pepper, onion, and celery in hot butter until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and garlic. Season with 1 ½ teaspoons salt, basil, oregano, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Meanwhile, combine Parmesan cheese, egg, Worcestershire sauce, 1 remaining teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Mix in hot sausage, mild sausage, bread crumbs, and 1 cup tomato sauce mixture until well combined.