Print

Easy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers: Best Fall Dinner

Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers - featured image
Print Recipe

These Easy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun and hearty fall dinner. Carved orange bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and cheese, then baked until tender and bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash the orange bell peppers and pat them dry. Cut the tops off each pepper—about 1/2 inch from the top. Scoop out the seeds and white membranes. Rinse and pat dry.
  3. Drop the hollowed peppers into the boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove with tongs and let them drain upside down on a paper towel.
  4. Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to cut small jack-o-lantern faces into one side of each pepper (triangles for eyes, a zigzag or crescent for a mouth).
  5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if needed.
  7. Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce (reserve about 1/4 cup for later), oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and all of the Parmesan.
  8. Place the carved peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon the filling into each pepper, pressing gently to pack it in. Spoon the reserved tomato sauce over the tops of the stuffed peppers.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over each pepper, letting some fall into the carved mouth and eyes.
  10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
  11. Let the peppers sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

Blanching the peppers for 3 minutes makes carving easier and prevents them from being too firm. Choose squat, wide peppers with flat bottoms for stability. The filling can be prepped a day in advance; add 10 minutes to covered baking time if starting from cold. For a gluten-free version, ensure tomato sauce is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, jack-o-lantern peppers, Halloween dinner, fall dinner, ground beef stuffed peppers, easy dinner

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-best-fall-dinner/