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Fun Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Peppers: Easy Halloween Dinner

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A festive and kid-approved Halloween dinner featuring orange bell peppers carved into jack-o-lanterns and stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and cheese. This easy weeknight meal balances sweet roasted peppers with a hearty, comforting filling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 cup white rice, uncooked
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: Green olives or jalapeños for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash peppers and cut off the top 1/2 inch. Set tops aside.
  2. Scoop out seeds and membranes from inside the peppers using a spoon or melon baller. Carve faces if desired.
  3. Par-boil hollowed peppers in salted boiling water for 3-5 minutes to soften. Remove and drain upside down.
  4. Rinse rice. In a saucepan, combine rice, beef broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
  5. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until translucent (2-3 minutes).
  6. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  7. Place par-boiled peppers upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing gently.
  8. Top each pepper with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining sauce from the skillet over the peppers.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, and peppers are tender.
  10. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Par-boiling the peppers ensures they are tender and not crunchy. If using green peppers, they are more bitter, so consider adding a pinch of sugar. For a vegetarian option, swap beef for lentils or plant-based meat. To keep peppers upright, cut a thin slice off the bottom or use a muffin tin. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween dinner, stuffed peppers, jack-o-lantern recipe, easy weeknight meal, family friendly, ground beef and rice, comfort food

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/fun-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-easy-halloween-dinner/