Unstuffed Banana Peppers
Save time in the kitchen with these unstuffed banana peppers. This easy recipe includes everything you love about traditional banana peppers but with an easy to make twist. Plus, the Italian sausage gets extra flavor as it browns in the pan which tastes so good with the other ingredients. Perfect as an appetizer or an easy meal, this recipe is guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Ingredients Needed for Unstuffed Banana Peppers
Banana Peppers – You’ll need 6-8 banana peppers for this recipe. Be sure to remove the stems and core. You can easily remove the core with a spoon or paring knife. You’ll want to soften the peppers a touch before placing them in the oven. You can quickly sauté them in a pan with a touch of oil for 2-3 minutes or you can blanch them in hot water for one minute. They should be slightly firm to the touch when you add them to the pan. You do not want them to get soggy.
Italian Sausage – For this recipe, you’ll need 1 pound of mild Italian sausage. Option to use hot sausage, but keep in mind that the banana peppers can run spicy. Be sure to remove the casing before browning the meat in a pan. Premade Italian sausage will be well seasoned and ready to use, which keeps this recipe quick and easy.
Butter – This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of butter to sauté the onion, garlic and sausage. Option to use olive oil instead.
Aromatics – You’ll need 1 cup of diced sweet onion for this recipe along with 2 teaspoons of minced or finely diced garlic. Sauté the onions and garlic in a pan until translucent. Then, add the Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up with a spatula.
Seasoning – Season the sauteed onion, garlic, and sausage with salt and black pepper.
Marinara – You’ll need 1.5 -2 cups of marinara for this recipe. Store bought is fine.
Mozzarella Cheese – You’ll need 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Option to use a few slices of provolone cheese instead if you prefer.
How to Make Unstuffed Banana Peppers
Prepare the Peppers
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Add half of the marinara to the bottom of a baking dish or to a quarter baking tray with sides.
Soften the banana peppers in a pan with a touch of oil. You only need to sauté them for 2-3 minutes. Shaking frequently so they do not get too soft on one side. They should still be firm to the touch when you remove them from the pan. Option to quickly blanch them for 1 minute in hot water instead.
Place the peppers in the baking dish with the sauce.
Make the Sausage
Next, heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add butter and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent. Then, add the Italian sausage. Be sure to remove the outer casing. Use a spatula to break up the sausage and season everything with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess grease. Add the remaining marinara to the sausage mixture. Toss until well combined. Once the sausage is cooked through remove the pan from the heat.
Assemble the Dish
Use a spoon to scoop the sausage mixture over the peppers. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place in the oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are fork tender. Serve hot and enjoy.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for three to four days. Reheat in them microwave until warmed through. Looking for more recipes?
Unstuffed Banana Peppers
Ingredients
- 6-8 banana peppers, depending on size, remove stem and core
- 1 lb. mild Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup sweet onion, diced small
- 2 teaspoon garlic, finely diced
- salt , to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1.5-2 cups marinara
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Equipment
- 1 baking tray with sides
- 1 non-stick skillet
Instructions
How to Make Unstuffed Banana Peppers
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare the Peppers
- Add half of the marinara to the bottom of a baking dish or to a quarter baking tray with sides.
- Soften the banana peppers in a pan with a touch of oil. You only need to sauté them for 2-3 minutes. Shaking frequently so they do not get too soft on one side. They should still be firm to the touch when you remove them from the pan. Option to quickly blanch them for 1 minute in hot water instead.
- Place the peppers in the baking dish with the sauce.
Make the Sausage
- Next, heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add butter and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent. Then, add the Italian sausage. Be sure to remove the outer casing. Use a spatula to break up the sausage and season everything with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess grease. Add the remaining marinara to the sausage mixture. Toss until well combined. Once the sausage is cooked through remove the pan from the heat.
Assemble the Dish
- Use a spoon to scoop the sausage mixture over the peppers. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place in the oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are fork tender. Serve hot and enjoy.
