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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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
- Slice the jalapeños in half.
- Use a spoon or pairing knife to scrape out the seeds and membrane from the center of each jalapeño half.
- 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.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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:
Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 pound fresh jalapeño peppers, about 20, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 8 ounces ranch dressing, (optional) for dipping
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound sausage in a skillet over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain grease.
- In a bowl, mix the sausage, 8 ounces cream cheese, and 1 cup 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 8 ounces Homemade Ranch dressing.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are not stuffed they are filled.
I’m using taco hamburger meat with cream cheese and cheddar. Can they be frozen after stuffed; to cook later?
Yep! I’d suggest having them freeze for a couple hours lying flat on a tray until they are solid, then you can move them to a freezer bag to store.
Can I do these as a cold no bake appetizer?
You could but they really do taste better when served warm. You could make them ahead and them pop them in the microwave on low for about 20-30 seconds.
This recipe was Wonderful! It’s my go to for appetizers! Super easy/ delicious!
Thanks for sharing!! So glad to hear you enjoy the recipe!!
Can I use celery instead of Jalapeños
Sure! I think celery would be a great substitution! Let me know how it turns out. I’d love to hear!
tHESE stuffed jalapenos are delicious. Made just as directed; although i par-boiled the whole peppers for 5 minutes in boiling water — this takes some of the oil out and helps along with the removal of the seeds and membranes when cut. will be making them again for sure. : )
Sounds perfect! I will have to try! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Can you tell me what type of sausage i should use? Italian or breaKast
Any is fine. Mine might have been ground Italian pork sausage, but your favorite will work 🙂
can you make them the nite befor
Chris, I use Jimmy dean ground sausage, just regular flavor.
It is hard for me to even get one of these when i make them because my family absolutely loves them!! do not microwave them though with thte stem on
My husband is A jalapeno fan. This recipe is Really easy to follow. I love the added instructions on how to grill and fry. Thanks for posting.
Love mixing up my typical jalapeno and cream cheese appetizer and trying this!