Sausage stuffed peppers are a delicious dish which is perfect for any meal. Whether you are looking for dinner, lunch or even any occasion as well. Lee me give you short description about this recipe. This comfort food combines juicy Italian sausage, rice, and vibrant bell peppers topped with some melted cheese. No more time is needed to prepare this super delicious sausage stuffed peppers. They’re easy to make, customisable according to fit your family’s tastes. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or just want an easy weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
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Why you’ll fall in love with Sausage stuffed peppers –
Easy to make: No more fancy ingredients are needed and not even time consuming. With just few simple steps. This recipe is straightforward as well as perfect for beginners .
Versatile: You can adjust the ingredients according to your preferences. Still it gives delicious taste. If you prefer, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or if you want vegan option then used plant-based sausage for a different twist.
Packed with full of flavours: The juicy sausage stuffed with bell peppers over the top of Melted cheese creates a delightful flavour to the dish. If you’re cheese lover then used Cheese loaded stuff for more cheesy flavour.
Healthy and wholesome: Bell peppers are loaded with vitamins and nutrients, and using lean sausage or adding extra veggies can make this dish even more healthier.
Can I make this without meat?
Yes, you can make this without using meat. I have tried without meat version as well. In Which I’ve added black beans, corn kernels or chickpeas instead of meat. Using beans or chickpeas is a great way to keep the dish hearty without using meat. Obviously the taste will be different than original one But this is worth it if you’re thinking to skip the meat .
Major ingredients to make sausage stuffed peppers :
Bell peppers:- Use large bell peppers and make sure the bottom will be same of all peppers so they can easily standout without toppling over. If you want to cut them evenly they you can. Always used Red, yellow or orange peppers. They are sweeter than green peppers. Green peppers are slightly bitter in taste.
Sausage: mostly I prefer to used Italian sausage. Remove the casing so they can be break it out . Sausages often come with spices like fennel, garlic, paprika, and herbs, which goes well with the peppers’ natural taste. It also provides a juicy and tender texture that holds up well when baked inside the peppers. If you’re using chicken sausage then added them later.
Italian spices: Italian seasonings like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary bring out a savory depth that blends perfectly with the sausage’s flavor profile. This spices beautifully paired with ingredients like onion, Tomatoes which are used in stuffing.
Brown rice : Rice provides the perfect texture to your stuffing. As they increase the volume to stuffing and also absorbs juiciness from sausage. Used pre cooked rice. You can used any rice like white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, jamin. You’ve to used combination of brown rice and quinoa.
Cheese : It adds richness and creaminess to your sausage stuffed peppers which helps to balanced the flavour of savoury sausage stuffing. You can used variety of cheese like cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, pepper jack cheese or even cream cheese.
Step-by-step guide To make this delicious masterpiece :
- In this recipe we used yellow and red bell peppers (you can use any) and just cut the ends of peppers and remove the seeds, then wash it thoroughly and microwave your peppers for at least 3-4 minutes. And let it aside for a few minutes.
- Take an iron-cast skillet, heat the butter over medium heat, and add chopped garlic and onions. I’ve used red onions, but it depends on your preference. And sauté them until it becomes soft. Put the ground beef and Italian sausage to it. Make sure to remove the casing of the sausage. Chopped them into small pieces on medium to high heat so that they get cooked through and no more pink.
- Pour 1 can of diced tomatoes and stir to get well combined. Then add tomato paste and tomato sauce; additionally, if you want to add chicken broth, then you can. Turn your heat back down and let it simmer gently.
- Add cooked quinoa and brown rice, stir it well, then add Italian seasonings and shredded parmesan cheese, stir it well, and make sure to melt the cheese and spread it throughout the meat mixture. We’ll just top it with ground kosher salt and ground black pepper and a little stir. Now your stuffing is ready.
- Take the baking pan and arrange the peppers, then spread some olive oil on the outside and inside each bell pepper. Spoon the meat mixture into each pepper. Sprinkle some cheddar cheese over the top of the stuffed one. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
- This is optional but helps to keep the peppers moist as they bake—pour about 1 inch of warm water into the bottom of the pan around the peppers.
- Bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F for 35-38 minutes or until the peppers are nearly fork tender. Remove from the oven, and evenly sprinkle the peppers with the remaining cheese. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the oven and garnish it with some fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Now your sausage-stuffed peppers are ready to serve!! OMG, how perfect is that?
Pro Tips to make sausage stuffed peppers like a chief !!
1) Choose the right peppers, which are roughly the same size, so it will help to cook evenly. Use bright-colored peppers like red, orange, or yellow, which tend to be sweeter.
2) Make sure to use high-quality sausage with balanced seasoning for the best flavor. Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) is a popular choice for sausage stuffed peppers, but you can experiment with other varieties like chorizo for a spicier kick.
3) Stuff the peppers just until the top to avoid spilling over during baking. Gently press the filling inside for a compact and satisfying bite.
4) Instead of just water, use broth (chicken, vegetable, or beef) for the baking process. This infuses additional flavor into the peppers as they cook.
5) Make sure the peppers are cooked through but still firm. They should be tender yet retain their shape. Use a fork to test doneness without piercing the filling.
6) When reheating in the oven, adding a small splash of broth or water to the baking dish can help prevent the peppers from drying out.
How to stored sausage stuffed peppers :
1) Allow the stuffed peppers to cool completely to room temperature before storing them, then place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
2) If you want to store for a longer period of time, then you’ve got to wrap each stuffed pepper in plastic or aluminum wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container, then freeze it for up to 2 to 3 months.
3) While reheating your peppers, place a pepper on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
4) If reheating directly from frozen, place them in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven covered with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until hot throughout.
Different versions of sausage stuffed peppers :
1) Mediterranean Sausage Stuffed Peppers :
Try this delicious vegan version, which includes vegan sausage, tomatoes, veggies, herbs, and especially non-dairy feta. Simply start by browning the vegan sausage, then arrange it into the peppers and top over with feta. Bake as usual, and now your Mediterranean Sausage Stuffed Peppers are ready to serve!!
2) Mexican Sausage Stuffed Peppers :
This dish features bell peppers stuffed with zesty mixture of seasoned sausage , black beans ,corns and Tomatoes. The filling of Mexican sausage stuffed peppers is flavoured with Mexican spices like Cumin and chilli powder and top over with melted cheese. Using different flavours in bell peppers always makes huge difference in this recipe. Now stepping towards the next one.
3) Vegetable-Loaded Sausage Stuffed Peppers :
This version features bell peppers filled with a savory mix of sausage and many more vegetables like zucchini, carrot, spinach, quinoa, and whatever you like, and uses Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the stuffing. Bake it and garnish it with basil, and enjoy your veggie-loaded treat.
4) Sausage Stuffed Peppers with Pesto :
These stuffed peppers are loaded with a rich filling of spicy Italian sausage, rice, pesto, and a blend of cheese. The pesto adds a fresh twist to the hearty filling. And make each bite vibrant.
Sausage Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Iron Cast Skillet
- 1 Baking Dish
- 1 Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 Ib Ground Beef
- 4 Italian Sausages
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 Cup Sweet Red Onion
- 1 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Can Tomato Pasta
- 3 Tbsp Italian Spices
- 1 Cup Tomato Sauce
- 250 G Cooked Brown Rice
- 250 G Cooked Quinoa
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tsp Salt And Pepper
Instructions
- Cut the Top of bell peppers to remove the seeds. Then microwave for atleast 3 minutes. And let it aside for some time.
- Take an iron cast skillet, heat the butter and add chopped garlic , Onions until it becomes soften. Put the ground beef , Italian sausage and break them into small pieces and cook for few minutes on medium to high heat.
- Pour the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce combined it well and let it simmer gently. Then add your precooked rice and quinoa. Stir it well and add italian seasonings, parmesan cheese stir until your cheese melts in sausage mixture.
- Take a baking pan and arrange your bell peppers spread some olive oil on peppers. Stuffed your peppers with the sausage mixture and spread some cheese over the top of peppers.
- Cover your peppers with aluminium foil and bake it in Preheated oven of 375°F for about 30 to 40 minutes. Then Remove from the oven, and evenly sprinkle the peppers with the remaining cheese. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 5 more minutes. Your sausage stuffed peppers are ready to serve!
FAQs :-
1) Should peppers be precooked before stuffing?
Ans: Yes, you can cook the peppers before stuffing them. But make sure to just boil it for 3-4 minutes, or you’ve got to microwave them for a few minutes until they are just a bit soft enough. Precooking the peppers helps to make them more tender and easier to eat after baking.
2) What is a good side dish for stuffed peppers?
Ans: This sausage-stuffed pepper goes well with light and refreshing salads like mixed green salad with simple vinaigrette. The crispness of fresh greens like lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes paired nicely with the savory filling of the stuffed peppers and created a perfect balanced meal. You can pair it with garlic bread and roasted vegetables like zucchini and broccoli.
3) How to keep stuffed bell peppers from getting soggy?
Ans: To prevent them from getting soggy, you’ll need to slightly precook your bell peppers before stuffing them. Let them cool for a few minutes and drain the excess water. Make sure to not overfill your peppers. And use a baking dish with a rack to prevent the peppers from sitting their own juice.
4) When not to use peppers?
Ans: When they appear soft, wrinkled, and have moldy spots on them, don’t use them. If they have a bitter taste and an unpleasant smell, it’s not recommended to use this kind of bell pepper. Additionally, if you have a sensitive stomach or conditions like acid reflux, spicy peppers can cause irritation and should be used cautiously or substituted with milder varieties.
5) What makes stuffed peppers bitter?
Ans: If your bell peppers are underripe or overcooked, they become bitter in taste. Usually green bell peppers have a slightly stronger and bitter taste as compared to red and yellow. Overcooking makes your peppers more bitter, so make sure not to overcook them. Use the variety of peppers but also maintain their temperature while baking.
6) How do I know when my stuffing is done?
Ans: If you’ve got a thermometer, then check that the internal temperature reaches up to 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, then simply look for a golden brown top. And the stuffed should be moist but not overly wet with slightly crisp on top. Make sure that your stuffing and pepper should be cooked before serving them.
Conclusion :-
This sausage stuffed peppers is the combination of savoury sausage, rice, melted cheese and sweeten bell peppers. What I love most is how easy it is to customize with your favorite ingredients, making it perfect for any taste preference. Whether you’re looking for a family dinner or a dish to impress your guests, these stuffed peppers will not disappoint. Give them a try, and you might just find a new favorite recipe to add to your rotation !”
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