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Wholesome Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Peppers: Easy Fall Dinner

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These wholesome jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers are a fun and delicious fall dinner. Bell peppers are carved with jack-o-lantern faces, stuffed with a savory mixture of ground turkey, rice, and tomato sauce, then baked until tender and cheesy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (orange and yellow work best)
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash and dry bell peppers. Cut off the top 1/2 inch from the stem and set aside. Remove seeds and membranes.
  3. Using a paring knife, carve jack-o-lantern faces into one side of each pepper. Cut all the way through the pepper wall. Save cut-out pieces for garnish or add to filling.
  4. Blanch peppers in boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove with tongs and drain upside down on paper towels.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  6. Add ground turkey and cook 5-7 minutes, breaking it up, until no longer pink.
  7. Stir in oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup tomato sauce and simmer 2 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in cooked brown rice. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Stuff each pepper with the filling, packing gently. Place upright in a 9×13 baking dish. Spoon remaining tomato sauce over tops and sprinkle with cheese. Replace pepper tops at an angle if desired.
  10. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly and peppers are tender.
  11. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Choose squat, round peppers for stability. Cut faces large enough (at least 1/2 inch) so they don’t close up during baking. Don’t skip blanching—it ensures tender peppers. For a vegetarian version, substitute black beans and extra rice. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, jack-o-lantern, fall dinner, ground turkey, bell peppers, healthy, kid-friendly, Halloween

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/wholesome-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-easy-fall-dinner/