Popper Casserole - An Easy Crowd-Pleaser

Craving cheesy, spicy comfort food that's easy to make and feed a crowd? Enter popper casserole! Layers of sausage, peppers, cream cheese, cheddar, and more get baked into a hearty meal or appetizer everyone will love. Here's how to make this super simple, super flavorful baked dish at home.

What is Popper Casserole?

Popper casserole combines all the best elements of jalapeño poppers into one easy baked dish. Spicy sausage and veggies like jalapeños and bell peppers get layered with indulgent cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and sometimes bacon.

Baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole bakes up with all the cheesy, spicy Tex-Mex flavor of poppers without the fuss of breading and frying each individually.

Benefits of Popper Casserole

Some of the best things about this baked dish are:

• Easy dump-and-bake preparation
• Feeds and satisfies a crowd
• Endless ingredient customizations
• Comforting, spicy flavors
• Versatile as an appetizer or meal

This hearty one-pan wonder is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients for Popper Casserole

To make cheesy popper casserole, you'll need:

• Italian sausage, loose or in casings
• Jalapeño and bell peppers, chopped
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack
• Scallions
• Bacon or cooked chicken (optional)

See the step-by-step instructions for how to assemble and bake this easy dish.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Here is an overview of how to make popper casserole:

Cook the Sausage

If using sausage in casings, remove and crumble the meat. Cook sausage until browned and cooked through.

Sauté the Veggies

In the same pan, sauté peppers and onions until just tender.

Assemble the Casserole

In a baking dish, layer the sausage, veggies, cream cheese, cheddar, and any other mix-ins.

Bake

Cover and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Finish with Scallions

Remove from oven, top with sliced scallions, and dive in!

Serving Suggestions

Popper casserole goes great with:

• Tortilla chips, Fritos, or crackers for scooping
• Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole
• Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños
• Queso dip or cheese sauce
• Additional hot sauces like Cholula

The cheesy creaminess pairs well with any crunchy, cooling, or spicy sides.

Storage and Freezing

To store leftovers:

• Allow to cool completely, then cover tightly.
• Refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in microwave until hot.
• Freeze baked casserole up to 3 months.

Recipe Variations

Some tasty ways to customize this dish:

• Use spicy ground meat like chorizo or andouille sausage
• Mix up the veggies - try corn, zucchini, etc.
• Swap pepper jack, Oaxaca, or queso cheese for the cheddar
• Stir in cooked chicken, taco meat, or pulled pork
• Top with avocado, bacon, cilantro

FAQs

What's the best way to cook the sausage?

Brown it in a skillet, breaking up any large pieces, until cooked through.

Can I assemble this the night before?

Yes, prepare completely and refrigerate. Add 15 min to baking time.

What kind of peppers work best?

Jalapeños have the classic popper taste but you can use any color bell peppers too.

Do I need to grease the baking dish?

Yes, lightly greasing it will prevent sticking and help remove servings.

Can I make this with ground beef instead?

Absolutely! Ground beef or turkey would work great.

Satisfy Cravings with Cheesy Popper Casserole

Loaded with spicy sausage, melted cheese, and crisp veggies, this easy baked dish is guaranteed to be a winner at potlucks, parties or casual family dinners. Assemble the ingredients in minutes, let it bake, and enjoy pepped up comfort food straight from the oven!