Description
These Cheesy Stuffed Banana Peppers with Marinara are a hearty, comforting dish packed with ground beef and pork, Italian seasonings, and gooey cheese. Baked until golden and served with rich marinara sauce, they’re the perfect blend of savory, spicy, and satisfying—ideal for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
6 large banana peppers, halved and deseeded
12 oz (340 g) ground beef (90% lean)
12 oz (340 g) ground pork
3 large eggs
½ cup (60 g) plain bread crumbs
¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk
2 tbsp (6 g) Italian seasoning
½ tsp (1.2 g) crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 oz (225 g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella
4 oz (115 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 (24 oz / 680 g) jar marinara sauce, warmed
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Slice banana peppers lengthwise and remove seeds.
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, pork, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until combined.
Fill each pepper half with about ¼ cup of meat mixture.
Place stuffed peppers on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Top each with mozzarella and Parmesan; broil for 1 minute or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve hot with warmed marinara and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For milder flavor, omit red pepper flakes.
Use a mix of sweet and hot banana peppers for variety.
Freeze pre-baked, unbroiled stuffed peppers for a make-ahead meal.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness without drying out the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Italian-American