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Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Two halves of a bright orange bell pepper stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef and rice, garnished with fresh herbs.
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Carve festive jack-o’-lantern faces into orange bell peppers and stuff them with a savory beef and rice filling for a fun Halloween dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the sides of the peppers.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Stuff the pepper cavities evenly with the meat mixture.
  8. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil.
  9. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • To prevent the carved faces from collapsing during baking, ensure you don’t cut too deep into the pepper walls. A shallow cut will hold its shape better.
  • You can prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it. Stuff and bake the peppers just before serving.
  • For a healthier option, use lean ground turkey and brown rice.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground meat with cooked lentils or black beans and extra vegetables like corn or zucchini.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipestokeep.com/jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers/