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Stuffed Banana Pepper Dip

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3.8 from 5 reviews

This Stuffed Banana Pepper Dip is a warm, cheesy appetizer combining spicy Italian sausage and tangy banana peppers with a creamy blend of cheeses and marinara sauce. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, this dip is great for entertaining and pairs wonderfully with chips, bread, or fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 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)

Dairy and Sauce

  • ½ cup marinara sauce
  • 1 block cream cheese (8 ounces)
  • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip.
  2. Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles until browned.
  3. Add Vegetables: Add the sliced banana peppers, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully cooked through and the vegetables have softened.
  4. Prepare Cheese Mixture: While the sausage and vegetables cook, blend together the marinara sauce, cream cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and all the parmesan cheese in a food processor until smooth.
  5. Combine and Assemble: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cheese mixture until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, smooth the top, and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top has melted and turned golden brown.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with extra sliced banana peppers. Serve the dip hot with tortilla chips, pita chips, fresh vegetables, or toasted bread for dipping.

Notes

  • For extra spice, use hot Italian sausage or add more banana pepper slices to the garnish.
  • Make sure to seed the banana peppers well if you want to reduce heat and bitterness.
  • You can prepare the cheese mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to combine.
  • Use a sturdy baking dish to handle the hot, cheesy dip safely.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to maintain texture.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/stuffed-banana-pepper-dip/