Description
Creamy Stuffed Banana Pepper Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that transforms classic stuffed banana peppers into a warm, spoonable soup. It features Italian sausage, tender banana peppers, and a blend of cheeses for a rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavor, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) hot or mild Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 banana peppers, cleaned, seeds removed, and chopped
- 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz / 225g) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (60g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional garnish: extra cheese, parsley, croutons
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with your spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add aromatics and peppers: Add diced onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in chopped banana peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until the peppers are tender.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Stir in the creamy elements: Add cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar to the soup. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Reduce heat to low.
- Finish with cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently. Simmer for 5–10 minutes more, being careful not to let it boil.
- Taste and season: Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like a smoother texture, blend half the soup with an immersion blender or in batches.
- Serve hot: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra cheese or chopped parsley. Serve with fresh bread or croutons.
Notes
- Use gloves when handling banana peppers to avoid skin irritation.
- Soften cream cheese beforehand for easier melting.
- Simmer gently after adding dairy to prevent curdling.
- Balance the heat by adjusting the type and quantity of banana peppers used.
- For a thicker soup, blend a portion of it or reduce the amount of broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 95mg