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Best Easy Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

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These festive jack-o-lantern stuffed bell peppers combine a savory, cozy filling with a fun Halloween presentation. Carved orange bell peppers are stuffed with a seasoned ground meat and rice mixture, topped with cheese, and baked until tender.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey (85/15 recommended)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash bell peppers and pat dry. Cut the top off each pepper about 1/2 inch from the stem. Remove seeds and membranes carefully with a small spoon.
  2. Using a small paring knife, carve jack-o-lantern faces into the front of each pepper. Keep shapes simple (triangle eyes, zigzag mouth). Make cuts clean and go all the way through the skin. Avoid making holes too large.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground meat to the pan. Break it up and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  5. Add drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in cooked rice and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Place carved peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Trim a thin slice off the bottom if needed to make them flat. Spoon filling into each pepper, pressing gently to pack. Fill to the top.
  7. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tops. Place pepper tops back on like hats. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest in dish for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

Notes

Choose wide, squat orange bell peppers with flat bottoms for best results. Don’t overstuff peppers to prevent filling from leaking through carved holes. Covering with foil for the first 25 minutes is crucial for even cooking. Let peppers rest 5 minutes before serving to help them set. Can be prepped a day ahead: carve peppers and prepare filling separately, then stuff and bake when ready. Leftovers keep in fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, jack-o-lantern peppers, Halloween dinner, stuffed peppers, festive dinner, ground beef, ground turkey, fall recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/best-easy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-recipe/