Add a touch of Halloween fun to your dinner table with these Pumpkin Stuffed Peppers! Shaped like mini jack-o'-lanterns, these orange bell peppers are filled with a delicious and hearty mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, then topped with gooey melted mozzarella. Not only do they look festive, but they’re also a healthy, balanced meal that’s perfect for the season.
Key Information:
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
- Total time: 45-50 minutes
- Number of servings: 4
- Serving size: 1 stuffed pepper
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
Ingredients:
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- 450g (1 lb) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 180g (1 cup) cooked rice
- 1 can (400g / 14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 120g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Method of Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
- Prepare the bell peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers (keep the tops for later) and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside. Using a small paring knife, carefully carve small jack-o'-lantern faces into the side of each pepper to resemble a pumpkin. Set aside.
- Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the peppers: Fill each carved pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it down gently. Top each stuffed pepper with a generous handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the peppers: Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish, replace the "pepper tops" on each one for a complete jack-o'-lantern look, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Once cooked, let the peppers cool for a few minutes. Serve your spooky stuffed peppers with the tops removed to reveal the fun jack-o'-lantern faces!
Tips for Culinary Success:
- Choose firm peppers: Select firm and even-sized orange bell peppers to ensure they hold up well during baking and resemble pumpkins.
- Customize the filling: Feel free to get creative with the filling! Add vegetables like diced zucchini or mushrooms, or swap the beef for quinoa or lentils for a vegetarian option.
- Control the spice: Add some chili flakes or use a spicy salsa instead of diced tomatoes for a bit of heat.
- Save the tops: Use the tops of the bell peppers as "lids" during baking to maintain the jack-o'-lantern shape and keep the stuffing moist.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the stuffed peppers in advance and store them in the fridge. Just bake them when you’re ready to serve for a quick Halloween dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use a different type of pepper? Yes! Red, yellow, or green bell peppers can be used, but orange peppers give the most authentic pumpkin look for Halloween.
- Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Absolutely! Swap the ground meat for lentils, black beans, or quinoa, and follow the same instructions for a meat-free version.
- Can I freeze the stuffed peppers? Yes, stuffed peppers freeze well. Simply let them cool, wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
- What can I use instead of rice? You can substitute rice with cooked quinoa, couscous, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- How do I prevent the peppers from collapsing? Choose firm peppers and avoid overstuffing them. If they tend to fall over, you can support them with crumpled foil in the baking dish.