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Cozy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers: Easy Fall Dinner

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These savory stuffed bell peppers are carved with jack-o-lantern faces for a fun Halloween twist. Filled with seasoned ground meat, rice, and cheese, they make a delicious and playful weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and dry the bell peppers. Using a sharp paring knife, cut a small circle around the stem on top of each pepper. Lift off the ‘lid’ and set aside. Scoop out the seeds and white membranes with a small spoon. Carve a jack-o-lantern face into one side of each pepper, cutting just through the skin and a thin layer of flesh. Place the carved peppers and their lids in a 9×13-inch baking dish, cut side up.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the drained diced tomatoes and cooked rice. Stir together and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, packing gently but firmly, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Place the lids back on top.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the tops of the peppers, including the lids.
  8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  9. Let the peppers rest in the dish for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overstuff the peppers; leave a little room at the top. Carve carefully to avoid cutting all the way through. Blot peppers dry after washing to prevent droopy faces. For softer peppers, microwave for 2 minutes before stuffing. These freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, jack-o-lantern peppers, Halloween dinner, fall dinner, ground beef stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-easy-fall-dinner/