Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers (Printable Format)
Banana peppers, orzo, sausage, and cheese combine for a hearty, creamy bowl with layered savory notes.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Soup Base
01 -
1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic
02 -
4 cups chicken broth
03 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
04 -
3/4 cup evaporated milk
05 -
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
06 -
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
07 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 -
1 medium onion, finely chopped
09 -
1 teaspoon dried basil
10 -
1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
11 -
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
12 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
13 -
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
14 -
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, cut into cubes
15 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 -
2 cups diced banana peppers
→ Pasta
17 -
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Cut the tops off the banana peppers and green pepper, then remove seeds. Dice banana peppers and green pepper, reserving some slices for garnish if desired. Finely chop the onion and set aside. Prepare all vegetables before beginning to ensure an efficient cooking process.
02 -
Spray the bottom of a large stockpot with nonstick spray or add a small amount of oil. Add ground mild Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Remove the cooked sausage from the pot and set aside.
03 -
In the same pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced banana peppers, diced green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables soften and onion becomes translucent.
04 -
Return the browned sausage to the pot with sautéed vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and evaporated milk. Raise heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to combine. Once boiling, add shredded Parmesan cheese, cubed cream cheese, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir continuously until cheeses are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
05 -
Reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
06 -
Add uncooked orzo pasta to the soup. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked and tender. The soup should reach a creamy, hearty consistency. Garnish individual servings with reserved pepper slices if desired.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
For optimal cheese melting, ensure that cream cheese is at room temperature before adding to hot broth.
02 -
Sautéing aromatics in both butter and olive oil adds flavor depth and helps prevent scorching.