Get ready to spice up your appetizer game with these delicious sausage stuffed jalapenos. Perfect for parties or a fun snack, these bite-sized treats combine the heat of jalapenos with the savory goodness of sausage and creamy cheese. They are easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
If you don't usually cook with jalapenos, you might need to look for them in the produce section of your supermarket. Make sure to handle them with care, as they can be quite spicy. Additionally, cream cheese and cheddar cheese are common dairy products, but if you're not familiar with them, you can find them in the dairy aisle.
Ingredients For Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos
Jalapenos: These spicy peppers are the star of the dish. Make sure to halve and seed them to control the heat.
Sausage: Use cooked and crumbled sausage to add a savory, meaty flavor to the stuffing.
Cream cheese: This soft cheese adds a creamy texture and balances the heat of the jalapenos.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds a sharp, tangy flavor and helps to bind the stuffing together.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the jalapenos, ensure they are evenly halved and thoroughly seeded to reduce the heat level. Use a small spoon or a paring knife to carefully remove the seeds and membranes, which contain most of the capsaicin. This will make the dish more enjoyable for those who prefer a milder spice. Additionally, for a smoother stuffing process, allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before mixing it with the sausage and cheddar cheese. This ensures a more homogeneous mixture that is easier to work with and results in a more evenly stuffed jalapeno.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
jalapenos - Substitute with mini bell peppers: Mini bell peppers are milder in heat and provide a similar crunchy texture.
cooked and crumbled sausage - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned to mimic sausage flavor.
cooked and crumbled sausage - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: Vegetarian sausage provides a plant-based alternative while maintaining a similar texture and flavor.
softened cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a tangy flavor and creamy texture with fewer calories.
softened cream cheese - Substitute with ricotta cheese: Ricotta cheese provides a similar creamy texture and can be used for a lighter option.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack cheese melts well and offers a mild flavor similar to cheddar.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese provides a creamy, melty texture and a mild flavor that complements the dish.
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How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the sausage stuffed jalapenos to cool completely after baking.
- For short-term storage, place the cooled jalapenos in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, arrange the stuffed jalapenos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Freeze the jalapenos on the baking sheet for about 1-2 hours, or until they are solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Once frozen, transfer the jalapenos to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen jalapenos on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
- Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Place the jalapenos on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the leftover sausage stuffed jalapenos on a baking sheet.
- Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the jalapenos are heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the stuffed jalapenos on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover them with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals until they are hot.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the stuffed jalapenos in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the jalapenos are warmed through.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
- Place the stuffed jalapenos in the skillet, cut side up.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the jalapenos are heated through.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the stuffed jalapenos at 400°F (200°C) until they are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the cooked sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese into a uniform stuffing mixture.
Baking sheet: Used to place the stuffed jalapenos on for baking in the oven.
Knife: Used to halve and seed the jalapenos, preparing them for stuffing.
Spoon: Used to stuff each jalapeno half with the sausage mixture.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to halve and seed the jalapenos.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the shredded cheddar cheese accurately.
Spatula: Helpful for mixing the sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese together in the mixing bowl.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare the filling: Mix the cooked sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese ahead of time and store in the fridge.
Use a piping bag: Transfer the sausage mixture into a piping bag to quickly and evenly stuff the jalapeno halves.
Pre-cut jalapenos: Halve and seed the jalapenos in advance to save prep time on the day of cooking.
Line the baking sheet: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat on your baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 Jalapenos halved and seeded
- ½ lb Sausage cooked and crumbled
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese.
- Stuff each jalapeno half with the sausage mixture.
- Place stuffed jalapenos on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until jalapenos are tender and cheese is bubbly.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
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