If you love bold, comforting flavors and a dish that feels like a warm hug, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe. Combining tender, mild banana peppers with a hearty blend of seasoned ground meat, rice, and Parmesan, all bathed in a rich homemade tomato sauce, this recipe offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or impressing friends, these stuffed peppers bring a vibrant splash of color and irresistible aroma to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe celebrates simple, accessible ingredients that each play an essential role in making the dish shine. From the freshness of the banana peppers to the savory seasoning and creamy cheese, every element adds a special touch to the final flavor and texture.
- Banana peppers (8 large): Mild and slightly sweet, they make the perfect vessel for our savory filling.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (1 pound): Provides rich, meaty flavor and satisfying protein.
- Cooked white rice (1/2 cup): Adds texture and helps bind the filling together.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup): Offers a nutty depth and a touch of saltiness.
- Breadcrumbs (1/4 cup): Helps absorb moisture and keep the filling tender.
- Finely chopped onion (1/4 cup): Brings aromatic sweetness and slight crunch.
- Minced garlic (2 cloves): Injects a warm, fragrant punch of flavor.
- Large egg (1): Acts as a binder for the filling ingredients.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential to enhance all flavors.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds subtle heat and depth.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A perfect herbal blend that ties everything together.
- Tomato sauce (2 cups): The savory base that softens peppers and infuses each bite.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Used to gently heat the sauce and add richness.
- Fresh basil or parsley (1 tablespoon, optional): Bright and fresh for garnish and a pop of color.
How to Make Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peppers
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a baking dish. Carefully cut the tops off each banana pepper, then remove seeds and membranes to create a hollow shell that’s ready for stuffing. This step is critical to ensure the peppers cook evenly and the filling stays perfectly flavorful.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or Italian sausage with the cooked white rice, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly until evenly blended. This filling is what makes the Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe truly special — rich, hearty, and full of harmonious flavors.
Step 3: Stuff the Peppers
Generously fill each pepper with the meat mixture, packing it snugly but without overstuffing. Arrange the filled peppers snugly in the prepared baking dish. This ensures they cook uniformly and stay upright to hold the tomato sauce later on.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop its depth. Pour this warm sauce evenly over the stuffed peppers, soaking them in that wonderfully savory liquid that will keep everything juicy and tender.
Step 5: Bake the Peppers
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This uncovered time helps the tops brown slightly and the peppers become perfectly tender, while the filling cooks through to juicy deliciousness.
How to Serve Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs such as chopped basil or parsley sprinkled over the peppers add a lovely aromatic finish that brightens the dish visually and in flavor. A little extra grated Parmesan on top also creates a beautiful, savory crust.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a side of garlicky sautéed spinach to balance its richness. For a heartier meal, creamy mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the tomato sauce are unbeatable companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For a wow factor at dinner parties, serve the stuffed peppers on a bed of polenta or risotto, letting the tomato sauce drizzle around. You can also slice the stuffed peppers into rounds for a fun appetizer or shareable plate that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can refrigerate any leftover stuffed banana peppers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as they sit, making for even tastier bites the next day.
Freezing
If you’d like to prepare this Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe in advance, you can freeze the cooked peppers, covered with sauce, in a freezer-safe dish for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the peppers with foil and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the oven helps retain that fresh-baked texture.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef or sausage?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great leaner substitute that works well with the herbs and tomato sauce in this recipe, keeping the dish light but still flavorful.
Are banana peppers spicy?
Banana peppers are generally mild with a slight tang, but if you like a bit of heat, you can leave some seeds in or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap out the regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the dish gluten-free without compromising texture.
Is it okay to use a different cheese?
Parmesan adds a distinct salty nuttiness, but feel free to experiment with Pecorino Romano or even a sprinkle of mozzarella for a gooier finish during baking.
How do I know when the peppers are done baking?
They should be tender when pierced with a fork and the filling cooked through with no pink meat remaining. The tomato sauce will be bubbling and rich in aroma.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe has a way of turning an ordinary dinner into a comforting celebration. With its beautiful colors, rich textures, and warm flavors, it’s a dish that invites smiles and seconds around the table. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own favorite—because food this good deserves to be shared!
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Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Stuffed Banana Peppers in Savory Tomato Sauce is a delicious Italian-American main course featuring tender banana peppers filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic seasonings. Baked in a rich tomato sauce, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory flavors and comforting textures ideal for a family meal.
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Peppers
- 8 large banana peppers
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish. Cut the tops off the banana peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to create hollow shells for stuffing.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Generously fill each hollowed banana pepper with the prepared meat and rice mixture. Arrange the stuffed peppers snugly in the greased baking dish.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.
- Bake: Pour the simmered tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed peppers in the baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
- Finish Baking: After 35 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. This lets the peppers soften and the filling to cook through completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
- Add shredded mozzarella on top of the stuffed peppers during the last 10 minutes of baking for a cheesy variation.
- For a spicier flavor, leave some of the seeds inside the banana peppers before stuffing.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
