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Spooky Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers: Easy Halloween Dinner

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These Spooky Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun and memorable Halloween dinner that gets kids excited about eating vegetables. Carved orange bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, then baked with melted cheese for a festive and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/20)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash and dry each pepper. Using a sharp paring knife, cut the top off each pepper about 1/2 inch from the stem. Set the tops aside.
  2. Scoop out the seeds and white membranes from inside each pepper. Rinse the inside of the peppers with cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
  3. Using your paring knife, carefully cut small triangles for eyes and a zigzag or curved line for the mouth. Start small and be gentle.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  5. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
  6. Stir in the cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Remove the skillet from heat and let the filling cool for about 5 minutes.
  8. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, packing gently but firmly. Place the filled peppers in a 9×13-inch baking dish, standing upright.
  9. Place the pepper tops back on each pepper. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
  10. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and the pepper tops. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each pepper. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the peppers are tender.
  11. Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

Choose squat, round peppers with flat bottoms for stability. Carve with a sharp knife and make clean cuts. Do not skip the pre-bake cover with foil. Let peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween dinner, stuffed bell peppers, jack-o-lantern peppers, fun dinner for kids, gluten-free dinner

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/spooky-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-easy-halloween-dinner/