Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup cooked white or brown 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
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by washing the orange bell peppers thoroughly. Carefully slice off the tops (save them for later!) and scoop out the seeds and membranes from the inside. Using a small, sharp paring knife, carefully carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into one side of each pepper, just like you would with a real Jack O Lantern. Be careful not to make the holes too large, or the filling might spill out during the baking process.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the cooked rice, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the carved peppers upright in a baking dish that fits them snugly. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each pepper, pressing down gently to pack it in. Top each pepper with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Place the pepper “lids” back on top. Pour about 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish to create steam. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cook Time: 60 minutes