SAUSAGE STUFFED JALAPENO POPPERS

I have made these jalapeño poppers for a number of different events. They are great to take to any party. They've been a hit at halloween, super bowl, thanksgiving appetizers, etc. You just can't go wrong with these delicious flavors. You can play with the sausage mixture to add more heat or lighten it up.

These are easy to make and always a big hit!!




Even those people that don't love Jalapeños, love these. They aren't as spicy when they are baked and really add a nice flavor.


If you are planning ahead and making these the day before. I usually make the filling and put it in the fridge. Then a few hours before it's time to go, I pull it out of the fridge, let it get to room temperature to soften and then prepare and stuff the peppers. They are easy and delicious.

Brown the sausage and save some of the drippings to sauté the veggies in. Try not to save as much as I did here, they are sort of drowning... 

Add the sausage to a medium mixing bowl. 

Add in all the ingredients. 

Start stirring. Use a heavy spoon, this is quite thick. 

Keep stirring until it's nice and mixed and kind of creamy. You could certainly do this in a stand mixer. My stand mixer was busy doing something else while we were making these, so I did it the old fashioned way. 

Chopping onions with my
onion glasses
Best. Invention. Ever.

My daughter is modeling onion glasses as well
She looks better in them than I do. 

I was making these the day ahead, so I put saran wrap down onto the mixture and popped it into the fridge. 

Stuff them and bake them and they are oh, so delicious!!

Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos Poppers

Ingredients

1 pound mild or hot Italian sausage

1/4 cup yellow onion, minced

1/4 cup red bell pepper, minced

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp red bell pepper flakes

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese

22 large jalapeno pepper, halved lengthwise and seeded

Directions

Half and seed all the jalepenos.

Saute sausage until brown and make into small crumbles with spatula. Remove from pan and pat to remove excess oil.

Pre-heat remaining oil and add onion and bell pepper until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and pat to dry.

Place all ingredients into mixing bowl and mix together. (for a smoother texture, this can be done in the food processor)

Stuff each pepper with a good amount of sausage mixture.

Place in baking dish and add a little shredded parmesan to the top of each one.

Bake uncovered in 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Can be served with ranch dressing, although we don't usually use it. People like to just pick them up and eat them!!