This is a fun and festive dinner recipe that’s surprisingly easy to make. These savory, stuffed peppers are a perfect main course for your Halloween night, and they’re guaranteed to get a smile from everyone at the dinner table.
Ingredients
- For the Jack-o’-Lanterns:
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (or vegetarian substitute)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the bell peppers and pat them dry. Using a small, sharp knife, carefully slice the top off each pepper. Scrape out the seeds and membranes. Using a smaller knife or a carving tool, carefully carve a jack-o’-lantern face into the side of each pepper.
- Cook the Filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground meat and garlic, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned.
- Combine & Season: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the tomato sauce, cooked rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until it’s melted and fully incorporated.
- Stuff and Bake: Carefully spoon the filling mixture into each carved bell pepper. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
- Serve: Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving. You can top them with an extra sprinkle of cheese or fresh herbs.
Tips for Best Results
- Use the Right Knife: A small paring knife or a pumpkin carving tool kit is perfect for carving the faces.
- Make it Vegetarian: Substitute the ground meat with cooked lentils, black beans, or a vegetarian ground substitute.
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, just stuff the peppers and pop them in the oven.
Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
A fun and festive dinner recipe! These savory, stuffed peppers are a perfect main course for your Halloween night, guaranteed to get a smile from everyone at the dinner table.
- Large knife
- Small paring knife
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Baking dish
For the Jack-o'-Lanterns:
- 4 large orange bell peppers
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic, (minced)
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey ((or vegetarian substitute))
- 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the bell peppers and pat them dry. Using a small, sharp knife, carefully slice the top off each pepper. Scrape out the seeds and membranes. Using a smaller knife or a carving tool, carefully carve a jack-o'-lantern face into the side of each pepper.
Cook the Filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground meat and garlic, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned.
Combine & Season: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the tomato sauce, cooked rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until it's melted and fully incorporated.
Stuff and Bake: Carefully spoon the filling mixture into each carved bell pepper. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
Serve: Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving. You can top them with an extra sprinkle of cheese or fresh herbs.