Published: October 14, 2020 Modified: August 27, 2024 by Cathy Trochelman 9 Comments

Pizza Stuffed Peppers

Clock icon 45 minutes

Stuffed Peppers are an easy, delicious dinner option, and when you combine them with pizza, they’re even better! These Pizza Stuffed Peppers have all the flavors of everyone’s favorite… in a fun and flavorful low-carb recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hormel Foods. All opinions are 100% mine.

Stuffed Peppers are a classic, and there are so many different ways to do them. But I have to say… of all the ways… these Pizza Stuffed Peppers are my favorite.

They’re fresh and flavorful and taste just like pizza… without the crust! Which makes them ideal for anyone who loves pizza and especially ideal for anyone trying to follow a low carb lifestyle. 

I made them recently for my family and everyone devoured them. They couldn’t get enough of the cheesy, meaty filling, and they all begged for more pepperoni!

Because this isn’t just any pepperoni… it’s HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup n’ Crisp. Which means that it cups up while it bakes and gets nice and crispy around the edges. It’s the perfect crispy topping for these stuffed peppers, and it definitely took the whole recipe to the next level!

Try them. You’ll love them. Guaranteed.

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 🧀 Ingredients

Let’s start with the peppers. I chose a variety of colors for visual appeal, but you can use any color you have on hand. Every color tastes a bit different, but not enough to make a difference in the recipe.

For the sausage, I used Sweet Italian Sausage. You could also substitute turkey sausage,  Hot Italian Sausage, or ground turkey or beef.

  • 3 large bell peppers
  • ½ pound Italian sausage
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ¾ cup pizza sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup sliced black olives
  • 1 package HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup n’ Crisp
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

📋 Instructions

Cut the peppers – cut the peppers in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membrane. Place peppers open side up in a 9×13 inch baking pan.

Brown the sausage & onion – in a small skillet, combine the Italian sausage and chopped onions. Cook over medium heat, breaking the sausage apart with a spatula, until onions are tender and sausage is no longer pink.

Assemble the peppers – layer the filling in the following order, dividing ingredients evenly among peppers: sausage, pizza sauce, cheese, black olives, HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup n’ Crisp.

Bake to perfection – transfer the peppers to the oven and bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and top with Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper.

🥦 Recipe variations

I decided to keep these stuffed peppers low carb and simple… just the way my family prefers them. You can feel free to switch things up any way you’d like to. Here are some of our favorite twists:

  • Combine the sausage and onion mixture with 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
  • Omit the sausage and substitute extra cheese and sauce
  • Substitute ground turkey or ground beef for Italian sausage
  • Stuff with a combination of your favorite sauteed veggies, then add the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni
  • For extra pepperoni flavor, add a second layer inside the peppers
  • Use mini peppers to make a fun bite-sized appetizer
  • Substitute Add extra toppings such as mushrooms, onions, or thinly sliced tomatoes

♨️ Storing & reheating

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, transfer to an oven-safe baking pan and bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until heated through.

📍 Tips for success

  • Choose peppers that are similar in size
  • For a colorful presentation, use multi-colored peppers
  • Shred your own cheese for maximum melt
  • For maximum pepperoni crisp, do not cover peppers with foil while baking
  • Fill the peppers as full as you can, as the ingredients will settle while baking

🌶 Related recipes

If you like stuffed peppers… or pizza… here are some more favorites to try!

Pizza Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers are an easy, delicious dinner option, and when you combine them with pizza, they're even better! These Pizza Stuffed Peppers have all the flavors of everyone's favorite... in a fun and flavorful low-carb recipe that's guaranteed to be a hit!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 315kcal
Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

  • 3 large bell peppers
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup pizza sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 package HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup n' Crisp
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membrane. Place peppers open side up in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a small skillet, combine the Italian sausage and chopped onions. Cook over medium heat, breaking the sausage apart with a spatula, until onions are tender and sausage is no longer pink.
  3. Layer the filling in the following order, dividing ingredients evenly among peppers: sausage, pizza sauce, cheese, black olives, HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup n' Crisp.
  4. Transfer the peppers to the oven and bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and top with Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 678mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g
Collage image of Pizza Stuffed Peppers

 

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9 Comments

  1. Are the peppers soft enough after 40 min in the oven? Or do I have to cook/steam them beforehand so they are soft? I don’t like crisp peppers lol