Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

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Great Halloween dinner that looks great with not too much effort.

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Yields1 Serving
 4 orange bell peppers
 extra-virgin olive oil
 kosher salt
 Freshly ground black pepper
 1 onion, finely chopped
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 3 tsp chili powder
 1 lb ground beef
 1 cup cooked white riceReally any rice will do including quick cook rice.
 1 cup chicken stock, divided
 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes or other diced tomatoes
 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack, divided
1

Preheat oven to 350°.

2

Using a sharp paring knife or a pumpkin carving saw, carve a Jack O'Lantern face into each pepper. The cut off (and reserve) the top of each pepper. Remove and discard the cores and seeds. Drizzle the inside of each pepper with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the peppers upright in a large baking dish along with the pepper tops.

3

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Turn off the heat and drain the fat.

4

Return skillet to stovetop over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the chili powder. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken stock, cooked rice and 3/4 cup of cheese. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.

5

Divide rice and beef mixture between the hollowed out peppers. Top with cheese.

6

Pour remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock into pan. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.

Ingredients

 4 orange bell peppers
 extra-virgin olive oil
 kosher salt
 Freshly ground black pepper
 1 onion, finely chopped
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 3 tsp chili powder
 1 lb ground beef
 1 cup cooked white riceReally any rice will do including quick cook rice.
 1 cup chicken stock, divided
 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes or other diced tomatoes
 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack, divided

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350°.

2

Using a sharp paring knife or a pumpkin carving saw, carve a Jack O'Lantern face into each pepper. The cut off (and reserve) the top of each pepper. Remove and discard the cores and seeds. Drizzle the inside of each pepper with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the peppers upright in a large baking dish along with the pepper tops.

3

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Turn off the heat and drain the fat.

4

Return skillet to stovetop over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the chili powder. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken stock, cooked rice and 3/4 cup of cheese. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.

5

Divide rice and beef mixture between the hollowed out peppers. Top with cheese.

6

Pour remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock into pan. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.

Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers