Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce or tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by washing the orange bell peppers thoroughly. Carefully slice off the tops (keep them for “lids”) and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside. Using a small, sharp paring knife, carefully carve triangle eyes and a jagged Jack O Lantern mouth into one side of each pepper. Be careful not to make the holes too large, or the filling might spill out during baking.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in the cooked rice, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Stir half of the shredded cheese into the meat mixture. Stand the carved peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper generously with the meat and rice mixture. Pour a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) into the bottom of the baking dish to help steam the peppers. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the filling, and place the pepper “lids” back on top. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cook Time: 55 minutes