Reynaldo’s Cocina 📍
Jack O' Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Carved orange bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef, Spanish rice, onion, garlic, and melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Jack O' Lantern Stuffed Peppers
- 6 orange bell peppers
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups prepared Spanish rice
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp Cavender's Greek Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Finish
- Extra cheddar cheese
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- - Aluminum foil
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Slice the tops from the bell peppers and reserve them.
- Remove seeds and membranes from the inside of each pepper.
- Carefully carve simple jack o lantern faces into the peppers.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add ground beef.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, Cavender's Greek Seasoning, and black pepper.
- Cook until browned.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add prepared Spanish rice to the skillet.
- Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Fold in 1 cup cheddar cheese.
- Remove from heat.
- Stand the peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Fill each pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture.
- Top each pepper with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Place the pepper tops back on.
- Add a small splash of water to the bottom of the baking dish.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the peppers soften and the cheese melts.
- Let the peppers cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with the tops slightly tilted for the jack o lantern effect.
Notes
• Choose wide orange bell peppers with flat bottoms so they stand upright while baking.
• Keep the carved faces simple so the peppers hold their shape in the oven.
• Prepared Spanish rice makes the filling easier and adds extra flavor.
• Do not overfill past the top or the cheese may spill over while baking.
• A small splash of water in the baking dish helps steam the peppers and soften them evenly.
• Let the peppers rest before serving so the filling settles and the shape holds better.
• Tilt the pepper tops slightly when serving for a fun Halloween style presentation.
