Jack O Lanterns
Turn your dinner table into a Halloween masterpiece with these festive Jack O’ Lanterns! Bright orange bell peppers are transformed into edible jack-o’-lanterns with fun carved faces and stuffed to the brim with a savory mixture of ground beef (or turkey), fluffy cooked rice, and diced tomatoes, all perfectly seasoned with garlic, onion, and Italian spices. Topped with melty cheddar cheese and baked to tender perfection, these stuffed peppers double as a playful main course and a seasonal centerpiece. Ideal for spooky gatherings or a family-friendly treat, this recipe combines creative presentation with comforting flavors, making it an irresistible autumn dish. Ready in just over an hour, these stuffed bell peppers are a wholesome and festive way to celebrate fall.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Orange bell peppers
- 1 pound Ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup Cooked white rice
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) Diced tomatoes
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the tops off the orange bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes inside. Save the tops to use as lids.
Using a small paring knife, carefully carve jack-o'-lantern faces into each pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
Stir in the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Add the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Save the remaining cheese for topping.
Stuff each carved bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, packing it in tightly.
Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of each stuffed pepper.
Cover the peppers with their 'lid' tops and loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Carefully remove from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve these fun and festive Jack O' Lantern bell peppers warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2284 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 145.0 g | 186% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.7 g | 318% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 484 mg | 161% | |
| Sodium | 4303 mg | 187% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 124.9 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.6 g | 99% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.6 g | ||
| Protein | 122.7 g | 245% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1173 mg | 90% | |
| Iron | 20.2 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 3927 mg | 84% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
