stuffed jalapenos with mexican chorizo & smoked gouda

If you like a little spice mixed with smokey, gooey, soft cheese and the best-tasting sausage around, you’re going to want to give this jalapeno popper recipe a try.

I’ve made many different versions of the jalapeno popper: Stuffed Jalapeno Shrimp Poppers with Mango Sauce, Stuffed Jalapenos with Cilantro Sauce – even Bacon-Wrapped Lime-Chipotle Chicken Stuffed with Stuffed Jalapenos! But these – THESE – are my new favorite.

They’re easy to make and also easy to make ahead. The smoky chorizo (be sure to use the mexican version, it’s soft and in a casing, unlike Spanish chorizo) is unlike any sausage you’ve ever had. And boy, do these feed a crowd! They go fast though so I always double the recipe if I’m making for more than three or four people. Leftovers – when there are any – heat very nicely, too. Just be sure to bring to room temperature before reheating, I’ve found the texture is better that way (same goes for when you make them ahead of time).

As you can see from the photos, you really don’t need to stuff them very full, at least not heaping. But you should keep them close together in the pan to prevent them from leaning to one side and hot filling leaking out (only happens to one or two but keeping them together takes care of it). Sometimes I use my stuffed jalapeno roaster, too! It works great in the summertime on the grill.

Another great thing about these stuffed jalapenos is that, although they’re best served hot, straight from the oven, they do well at room temperature so you can leave them out at a party. Not that they’ll last that long!