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Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.3 from 2 reviews

Celebrate Halloween with these festive Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, rice, black beans, and aromatic herbs, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a fun and nutritious main course that brings a spooky touch to your dinner table.

Ingredients

Bells & Toppings

  • 8 orange bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese

Filling

  • 2 ¼ cups diced yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups white basmati rice, cooked according to package instructions
  • 15.5 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the peppers.
  2. Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off the orange bell peppers. Using a small paring knife, carefully remove the ribs and seeds from inside each pepper. Then carve jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper for a festive look. Place the prepared peppers upright in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Sauté Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become translucent.
  4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to release the aroma without burning.
  5. Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula until it is browned and cooked through.
  6. Mix Filling: Stir in the cooked basmati rice, rinsed black beans, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb some of the sauce and flavors. Remove the skillet from heat.
  7. Stuff Peppers: Spoon a generous amount of the rice and turkey mixture into each prepared bell pepper, filling them fully.
  8. Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper.
  9. Bake: Pour 1 ½ cups of water around the peppers in the baking dish to help them steam. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the peppers have softened slightly.

Notes

  • Turkey: You can substitute ground beef or ground chicken if preferred.
  • Rice: Long-grain white rice or jasmine rice can be used instead of basmati rice.
  • Veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or other vegetables to the rice filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Beans: Substitute black beans with other beans like kidney or pinto beans as desired.
  • Seasoning: Italian seasoning is a great alternative to dried oregano and basil.
  • Cheese: Try different types of shredded cheese such as pepper Jack for a spicier kick.
  • Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and preparation.

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