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Best Easy Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers for Halloween

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These festive jack-o-lantern stuffed bell peppers are a fun and delicious Halloween dinner that kids and adults will love. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, rice, and cheese, they’re quick to prepare and perfect for a spooky weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash bell peppers. Slice off the top quarter of each pepper (about 1/2 inch from stem). Remove seeds and membranes. Rinse inside and out.
  3. Place hollowed peppers in boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Remove with tongs and drain upside down on paper towels.
  4. Using a small paring knife, carve jack-o-lantern faces into the peppers (two triangle eyes and a jagged smile). Cut all the way through the pepper skin.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
  7. Stir in drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
  8. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked rice and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Place par-cooked peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon filling into each pepper, packing gently but firmly, leaving a little room at the top.
  10. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tops of the stuffed peppers. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
  11. Bake for 20 minutes covered. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown and peppers are tender.
  12. Let peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, choose squat, wide orange bell peppers with flat bottoms. Par-boiling the peppers ensures they are tender but not mushy. Let the filling cool slightly before stuffing to make it easier to handle. You can prep the peppers and filling the day before and refrigerate; add 5-10 minutes to bake time if starting from cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, Halloween dinner, jack-o-lantern peppers, kid-friendly, ground beef recipe, easy dinner

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/best-easy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-for-halloween/