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Festive Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

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These festive Jack-O-Lantern stuffed peppers are a fun, easy, and healthy Halloween recipe that doubles as a decorative and hearty meal, perfect for family dinners and parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium chopped onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with juice
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional, chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and dry the bell peppers. Slice off the tops about 1 inch down from the stem to create lids. Scoop out seeds and membranes and set the tops aside for carving.
  3. Carve jack-o-lantern faces on the front side of each pepper using a small sharp knife.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  6. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and stir in cooked rice and half of the shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
  8. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, packing gently but not too tight. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
  9. Arrange peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place carved tops back on as lids. Use crumpled foil if needed to stabilize.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and golden.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

If peppers brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil midway through baking to keep moist. Filling can be prepared a day ahead for better flavor. Use crumpled foil to stabilize peppers if they wobble. For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with lentils or black beans. You can also cook stuffed peppers in a slow cooker on low for 4 hours, sealing tops to keep moisture in.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween recipe, stuffed peppers, jack-o-lantern, easy dinner, kid-friendly, healthy Halloween, ground beef, ground turkey, festive meal

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/festive-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-easy-halloween-recipe-ideas/