Peppers Stuffed with Cream Cheese and Sausage

This savory dish combines tender bell peppers stuffed with a delicious mixture of sausage, cream cheese, Parmesan, and bacon bits, then topped with Cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying weekend meal!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk sage-flavored pork sausage
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon bacon bits, or to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced, or to taste
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 4 large bell peppers - halved, seeded, and stems removed
• 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese, or to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450F (230C). Line a square baking pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the grease and discard it.
3. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, and minced garlic. Stir well to incorporate.
4. Add the cooked sausage to the cheese mixture and season with salt and pepper. Mix everything together with your hands until the ingredients are fully combined.
5. Take the sausage mixture and stuff it into the halved bell peppers. Press lightly to ensure the stuffing is packed evenly, but be careful not to overstuff.
6. Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the stuffing is slightly hardened on top.
7. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the Cheddar cheese on top of the stuffed peppers. Let them sit for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld.

Cooks Note

The cooking time for stuffed peppers may vary depending on the type of pepper used. Green bell peppers tend to work best for this recipe, but you can experiment with other varieties for a different taste.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.