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Halloween Stuffed Jack O Lantern Peppers Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 114 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 stuffed peppers 1x
  • Diet: High-Protein

Description

Celebrate Halloween with these delightful Halloween Stuffed Jack O Lantern Peppers. Hollowed out orange bell peppers are carved like pumpkins and filled with a savory mixture of lean ground beef, rice, onions, and Italian-seasoned marinara sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This festive and flavorful recipe combines fun presentation with hearty, high-protein ingredients perfect for a spooky autumn meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Peppers

  • 6 large orange bell peppers

Filling

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Topping

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish or 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Carve the Pepper Faces: Wash the orange peppers and pat them dry. Carefully slice off the tops (keep them for “lids”). Remove the seeds and the white ribs from the inside. Using a small, sharp paring knife, carefully carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into one side of each pepper, just like you would with a pumpkin.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics and Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
  4. Create the Filling: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the cooked rice, half of the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld together. Remove from heat and stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.
  5. Stuff the Jack O Lanterns: Carefully spoon the beef and rice mixture into each carved pepper, pressing down gently to fill them to the top. Stand the peppers upright in your prepared baking dish.
  6. Add Sauce and Bake: Pour the remaining marinara sauce into the bottom of the baking dish around the peppers. This creates a “lava” effect and keeps the peppers moist. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until the peppers are tender.
  7. Final Melt and Serve: Remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the filling in each pepper. Place the pepper “lids” back on top or to the side. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm!

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
  • Use brown rice for added fiber and a nuttier flavor.
  • Make sure to carve the faces carefully to avoid cracking the peppers.
  • Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar or pepper jack for added flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Stuffed Peppers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Halloween stuffed peppers, jack o lantern peppers, stuffed bell peppers recipe, ground beef stuffed peppers, Halloween dinner ideas, baked stuffed peppers

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/halloween-stuffed-jack-o-lantern-peppers-recipe/