Print

Best Easy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

jack-o-lantern stuffed bell peppers - featured image
Print Recipe

These festive Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun and delicious Halloween dinner idea. Carved bell peppers are filled with a savory beef and rice mixture, topped with cheese, and baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (orange or yellow)
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash bell peppers and pat dry. Cut tops off about 1/2 inch from stem. Remove seeds and membranes. Carve simple Jack-O-Lantern faces into one side of each pepper, keeping cuts about 1/2 inch wide.
  3. Drop carved peppers and tops into boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove with tongs and drain upside down on paper towels.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add diced onion and cook 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add drained diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  6. Transfer meat mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until well combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Arrange blanched peppers upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Stuff each pepper with filling, pressing down gently. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
  8. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, and peppers are tender.
  9. Let peppers rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Choose wide, squat peppers for a pumpkin look. Don’t over-blanch (3 minutes is perfect). Let filling cool slightly before stuffing to prevent peppers from softening. Toast spices for deeper flavor. Can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance (add 10 minutes to baking time if starting from cold).

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, stuffed peppers, bell peppers, Jack-O-Lantern, ground beef, rice, cheese, fall, festive

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