Description
Celebrate Halloween with these festive Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers, filled with a savory blend of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. Perfect for a fun and hearty main dish that combines classic flavors with spooky presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 6 Orange Bell Peppers
Rice
- 2 cups Cooked White Rice
Meat
- 1 pound Ground Beef
Canned Goods
- 15 ounces Canned Tomato Sauce
- 10.75 ounces Canned Tomato Soup
Spices
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Cook white rice in a rice steamer or add 1 cup uncooked rice with 2 cups water to a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, stir, then place the lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes then fluff rice with a fork.
- Prepare the Peppers: Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and set them aside. Remove the ribs and seeds from inside each pepper. Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut out jack-o’-lantern faces on the peppers. Place the prepared peppers in a baking dish.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease. Add the cooked rice, tomato sauce, tomato soup, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the meat and rice mixture into each bell pepper, filling them completely but leaving a small well at the top so the pepper tops can be replaced later. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the stuffed peppers covered for 50 minutes, or until the peppers reach your preferred tenderness, ideally fork-tender.
- Serve: Place the tops on the stuffed peppers and serve hot for a festive and delicious meal.
Notes
- For softer peppers, bake an extra 10-15 minutes.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use a sharp small knife or paring knife for cutting the pumpkin faces carefully.
- Leftover stuffing can be used as a filling for tacos or served over a salad.
- To make it spicier, add extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
