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Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Orange bell peppers carved like little jack-o'-lanterns and stuffed with savory beef, rice and tomatoes, topped with melted mozzarella. Dinner that doubles as Halloween decor!
Print Recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medium orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 15 oz, drained
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • Small paring knife
  • Large skillet
  • Baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the tops off the peppers and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Use a small paring knife to carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into each pepper like a jack-o'-lantern.
  2. Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 6–8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Spoon the filling into the carved peppers and set them upright in a baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top of each pepper. Bake 25–30 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • Carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into each pepper with a small paring knife.
  • Use cooked white rice in the filling.