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Sausage stuffed jalapeños are filled with cream cheese and baked to perfection. They’re a must-have appetizer at your next party.

This appetizer has become one of our go-to’s! Sausage stuffed jalapenos are simple, flavorful, and great at any function. Make this with our Jalapeño Popper Dip or Buffalo Chicken Dip and watch your guests devour it in minutes.

Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos served on a white plate.

easy & yUMMY party food

We love food, and we especially center most of our family get togethers and parties around the menu. At almost every function, we love to have appetizers. That’s mostly because they’re simple and delicious and everyone loves them.

These sausage stuffed jalapenos have become one of our favorite appetizers! It’s right up there with our Jalapeno Popper Dip.

Since the peppers are seeded in this recipe, there isn’t much spice – that is unless you use spicy sausage or add some heat to the cream cheese mixture which is possible. Either way, they are absolutely wonderful!

Cut, halved and seeded jalapenos on a black cutting board.

How to Make Stuffed Jalapeños

SAUSAGE. Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain grease.

FILLING. In a bowl, mix the sausage, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sausage mixture into each jalapeño half.

BAKE. Arrange stuffed halves into a baking dish. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with Ranch dressing.

Cooked sausage in skillet for stuffed Jalapenos.

Alternative Cooking Methods

To fry. Frying these sausage stuffed jalapeños turns them into jalapeño poppers.

  • Start by making this recipe as directed and stop before baking.
  • To fry, place 1 cup of milk in a bowl and 1 cup of flour in a bowl. Dip the stuffed jalapeños into the milk and then into the flour, then back into the milk.
  • Dip the peppers into a bowl of breadcrumbs making sure they are coated. Fry in a medium pan for a few minutes on each side or until golden brown.

To grill. Make the stuffed jalapenos as directed and place them on the grill rack. Cover and grill peppers for about 8 minutes or until the bottoms of the peppers are charred and the cheese mixture is slightly browned.

Process pics for cooking sausage, mixing the sausage filling, and stuffing jalapeno peppers with filling.

Recipe Tips + Storing Info

Cut and deseed a jalapeño. The oil in the jalapeños can be pretty hot and can irritate your skin, so be sure to wear gloves. Be mindful to not touch your face. When you’re done remove the gloves and wash your hands. 

  1. Slice the jalapeños in half.
  2. Use a spoon or pairing knife to scrape out the seeds and membrane from the center of each jalapeño half. 
  3. If you can handle the heat go ahead and leave some of the seeds and membrane in. 

Variations. This stuffed jalapeno recipe is so easy to change based on your meat or cheese preferences.

  • Sausage. Replace the sausage with chicken or bacon.
  • Cheese. Change up the cheese mixture with your favorite cream cheese and shredded cheese for the filling.
  • Wrap in bacon. Wrap these stuffed jalapeno peppers in bacon. Cut each strip of bacon in half or in thirds. Stuff the jalapenos and wrap each one with a strip of bacon. Bake according to the recipe directions. To crisp up the bacon, place them under the broiler for a few minutes.

STORE. Place leftover cream cheese stuffed jalapenos in an air-tight container and place them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on low in the oven.

Sausage stuffed jalapeños filled and baked then served on a white plate.

Recipe FAQ

How do I reduce the heat when making stuffed jalapenos?

Jalapenos are a more mild pepper, but can still pack a punch. To reduce the heat, remove all of the seeds as well as the membrane in the middle. You can also soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to help draw out the hot oils. Drain and pat dry before adding the filling.

Can I prepare stuffed jalapenos ahead of time?

You can prepare sausage stuffed jalapenos the day before and store them, covered, in the fridge. All you have to do is bake and serve.

For more Jalapeño Recipes, Check Out:

5 from 54 votes

Sausage Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Sausage stuffed jalapeños are filled with cream cheese and baked to perfection. They're a must-have appetizer at your next party.
Servings: 10
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground pork sausage
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 lb jalapeño peppers (about 20) fresh, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 8 oz ranch dressing (optional) for dipping

Instructions 

  • Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain grease.
  • In a bowl, mix the sausage, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sausage mixture into each jalapeño half.
  • Arrange stuffed halves into a baking dish. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with Ranch dressing.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 770mg, Potassium: 279mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 915IU, Vitamin C: 54.9mg, Calcium: 157mg, Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
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Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




45 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I didn’t have huge hopes with this due to the simplicity of the recipe. And I had to use chorizo since it’s what I had on hand. OH MY GOODNESS these were so delicious!!!! Thanks for a great and extremely simple recipe! I’m a terrible cook so I’m learning a lot and this was a great lesson on less being just fine!

  2. All of our family and friends love POPPERS….I use a hot sausage and shredded cheese ( use your favorite) mixed with the cream cheese before stuffing the peppers. Once they are filled I sprinkle shredded parm on top , then bake. If in a pinch for time or making it a little easier, or with less fat, I use pre cooked turkey crumbles and if you like extra spice put a couple dashes of hot sauce in while mixing all together. You just can’t go wrong and they’re such a hit at any get together.

  3. I always make em like this and to add a bit more flavor, I wrap them in bacon. Omg make ya wanna slap ya mama. But don’t please lol