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
Scale
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
