Ingredients
Scale
- 6 orange bell peppers (or a mix of colors)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the bell peppers: Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and set them aside. Remove the seeds and membranes from inside the peppers. Using a small knife, carve spooky jack-o’-lantern faces into the front of each bell pepper to create a Halloween look.
- Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the meat and spices: Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin.
- Add tomatoes and rice: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the cooked rice. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is heated through and well combined.
- Stuff the peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each prepared bell pepper, pressing down gently to fill them completely. Place the peppers in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the tops of the peppers with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Place the carved tops back on the peppers for presentation and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 65mg