Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers are a delicious and hearty dish that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, or a flavorful weekend meal. These peppers are stuffed with hot Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and smothered in a homemade meat sauce, before being baked to perfection.
The combination of spicy sausage, gooey cheese, and rich sauce makes this a satisfying dish that pairs well with a variety of sides.
What Are Cubanelle Peppers?
Cubanelle peppers, also known as Italian frying peppers, are mild and slightly sweet with a thin skin that makes them ideal for stuffing. Unlike bell peppers, they have a tender texture when cooked and absorb flavors beautifully. Their mild heat allows the spicy sausage filling to shine while still keeping the dish well-balanced.
Why You Should Make This Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers Recipe
- Bold and Flavorful – The combination of hot Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and homemade meat sauce creates layers of savory and slightly spicy flavors that meld perfectly.
- Easy to Make – With simple steps, this Cubanelle recipe is approachable even for beginner cooks, while still tasting like a restaurant-quality dish.
- Great for Meal Prep – These stuffed peppers store and reheat well, making them a great make-ahead meal for busy weeks.
- Customizable – Adjust the spice level by using mild sausage, swapping cheeses, or adding extra veggies to the filling.
Ingredients
- Sausage: Use mild Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage for a lighter alternative.
- Cubanelle Peppers: Bell peppers, poblano peppers, or banana peppers can be used, if Cubanelle peppers aren’t available.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Substitute with provolone, fontina, or Monterey Jack for a slightly different flavor.
- Ground Beef: Swap with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles
- Homemade Meat Sauce: For ease, substitute with a jarred meat sauce or marinara sauce.
Other Stuffing Ideas
If you want to switch things up, here are some other delicious ways to stuff Cubanelle peppers:
- Ground Meat & Rice – A mix of ground beef, turkey, or chicken with cooked rice, onions, and spices.
- Cheese & Veggie Medley – A combination of ricotta, feta, or cream cheese with spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Mexican-Style – Ground chorizo or seasoned beef with black beans, corn, and shredded cheddar.
- Buffalo Chicken – Shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce with blue cheese crumbles.
- Taco-Inspired – Ground beef or turkey mixed with taco seasoning, salsa, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
- Seafood Stuffing – A mix of shrimp, crab, or white fish with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and herbs.
- Vegetarian Quinoa & Beans – Cooked quinoa with black beans, diced tomatoes, and cumin for a hearty plant-based option.
- Pizza-Stuffed – Pepperoni, sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella for a fun twist.
How to Prepare Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
- Heat the olive oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Add the sausage links and sauté until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- While the sausages cook, rinse the Cubanelle peppers and dry them. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds and ribs.
- If there is excess grease in the pan, remove some before adding the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned.
- Stir in the minced onion and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, until softened.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and add the green bell pepper strips. Stir and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- While the sauce simmers, slice the sausages in half lengthwise. Cut about 10 strips of mozzarella cheese from the block and shred the remaining cheese.
- Spoon a generous amount of sauce into a baking dish.
- Stuff each Cubanelle pepper with two to three pieces of sausage (if needed, cut part of the end to fit). Spoon in a bit of sauce, then add two to three mozzarella cheese strips inside. Add more sauce on top.
- Place the stuffed peppers in the baking dish and repeat with the remaining peppers.
- Spoon the remaining sauce over the stuffed peppers and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and bake for 30-35 minutes. Uncover and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
Serve these Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers with:
- Crusty Bread – Perfect for soaking up the rich tomato sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy homemade mashed potatoes are a perfect compliment to these stuffed peppers. For a low-carb option, serve with mashed cauliflower.
- Side Salad – A fresh green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette balances out the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables – Serve with roasted zucchini, eggplant, or asparagus for added nutrition.
- Rice or Pasta – A side of rice or spaghetti makes this meal even heartier.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat – Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I prepare these ahead of time? Absolutely! Assemble the stuffed peppers, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking.
- What’s the best way to reheat stuffed peppers? For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Can I make this recipe without cheese? Yes, you can omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
More Stuffed Pepper Recipes to Love
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Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
Description
Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers are a delicious and hearty dish that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, or a flavorful weekend meal. These peppers are stuffed with hot Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and smothered in a homemade meat sauce, before being baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 5 Italian hot sausage links
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 medium-to-large Cubanelle peppers
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, in block form
Meat Sauce:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 onion, minced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Add the sausage links and sauté until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- While the sausages cook, rinse the Cubanelle peppers and dry them. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds and ribs.
- If there is excess grease in the pan, remove some before adding the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned.
- Stir in the minced onion and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, until softened.
- Pour in the tomato sauce (add a touch of water to the can and add that to the sauce), and add the green bell pepper strips. Stir and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- While the sauce simmers, slice the sausages in half lengthwise. Cut about 10 strips of mozzarella cheese from the block and shred the remaining cheese.
- Spoon a generous amount of sauce into a baking dish.
- Stuff each Cubanelle pepper with two to three pieces of sausage (if needed, cut part of the end to fit). Spoon in a bit of sauce, then add two to three mozzarella cheese strips inside. Add more sauce on top.
- Place the stuffed peppers in the baking dish and repeat with the remaining peppers.
- Spoon the remaining sauce over the stuffed peppers and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and bake for 30-35 minutes. Uncover and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- For a milder flavor, use a mild or sweet sausage.
- To spice things up, replace the cubanelle peppers with “hot” peppers. Banana peppers are a great, spicy alternative.
- To save time, use a jarred meat or marinara sauce.
- Use an oven safe baking dish and do not forget to line the bottom with the meat sauce.
- Alternatively, use shredded cheese to stuff the peppers.
- If you prefer a more tender pepper, bake for 10 minutes longer.
- Broil at the end to brown the cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American, Italian
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashio
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