Stuffed Banana Pepper Dip
This Stuffed Banana Pepper Dip is a mouth-watering appetizer that combines the zestiness of banana peppers with savory Italian sausage, melted cheeses, and a hint of marinara.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage hot or mild, bulk or with casings removed
- 4 large fresh banana peppers sliced and seeded (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 block cream cheese (8 ounces)
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat. Make sure to break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Add Vegetables: Once the sausage starts to brown, add the sliced banana peppers, chopped onions, and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully cooked and no longer pink, and the peppers and onions have softened.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: While the sausage cooks, take a food processor and blend together the marinara sauce, cream cheese, ½ cup of mozzarella cheese, and all the parmesan cheese. Scrape down the sides of the processor as needed to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Combine and Assemble: Remove the sausage and vegetables from heat. Stir in the cheese mixture until well combined. Transfer this mixture to a greased baking dish. Smooth the top and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the cheese on top has melted and turned golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with extra sliced banana peppers. Serve the dip hot, accompanied by your choice of your favorite dippers like tortilla chips, pita chips, fresh veggies, or toasted bread for dipping.
Notes
Expert Tips:
- Make ahead: You can prepare this dip a day in advance. Just mix all the ingredients, top it with the cheese, store it covered in the fridge, and bake it uncovered when you're ready to serve. This enhances the amazing flavor as the ingredients meld together overnight.
- Storing leftovers: Keep any leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll stay good for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm throughout.
- Use a slow cooker: To keep the dip warm during a party, use a slow cooker. Set it on low heat and stir occasionally to keep the dip creamy and prevent burning at the bottom.
- Balancing the spice: If you end up with hot banana peppers that are extra spicy, balance the heat by adding a bit more cream cheese or a dollop of sour cream to the mix.
Nutrition
Calories: 393kcal
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