Ingredients
- (12 ounce) packages ground sausage
- (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- jalapeno chile peppers
- pound sliced bacon, cut in half
Instructions
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Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage until nicely browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat. Transfer the cooked sausage to a mixing bowl and blend in the softened cream cheese until uniformly combined. While the mixture cools slightly, slice each jalapeno lengthwise and remove the seeds. I like to wear gloves for this step to avoid any surprises. Spoon the sausage-cream cheese filling into each jalapeno half, dividing it evenly. Wrap each stuffed jalapeno with a half-slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Arrange them in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and browned. I sometimes broil for an extra minute to achieve an irresistible crispiness. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving—the cheese filling can be scorching hot right out of the oven.