Halloween Stuffed Pepper Jack-O’-Lanterns (Print Version)

Carved bell peppers stuffed with savory ground meat, rice, and cheese for a festive Halloween dinner.

# Components:

→ Peppers

01 - 4 large orange or yellow bell peppers
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Filling

03 - 1 pound ground beef or turkey
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
07 - 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish for the peppers.
02 - Slice off the tops from bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Carve jack-o’-lantern faces into each pepper using a sharp knife.
03 - Brush the exterior of each pepper lightly with olive oil and set upright in the baking dish.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium; brown ground beef or turkey for 5–6 minutes until cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
06 - Stir in cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing thoroughly.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in 0.75 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Fill each pepper with the prepared meat and rice mixture, packing gently. Top each with the remaining cheddar cheese.
09 - Replace reserved bell pepper tops. Cover baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese has melted.
11 - Allow Jack-O’-Lantern peppers to cool slightly before portioning and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Peppers become irresistibly sweet and tender in the oven
  • One-pan filling brings together wholesome protein and veggies
  • You can prepare them ahead and bake before serving for stressfree entertaining
  • Fun for little hands to help carve or stuff
02 -
  • High in protein and loaded with fiber thanks to the peppers and rice
  • Great option for glutenfree families just doublecheck cheese and rice ingredients
  • Leftovers hold up well in the fridge for quick school or work lunches
03 -
  • When carving faces be gentle and use a small paring knife for best control
  • If your peppers wobble slice a tiny bit off the bottom so they stand up straight
  • For the best gooey top grate the cheese yourself It melts smoother and tastes fresher

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