Halloween Stuffed Peppers (Print Version)
Festive orange bell peppers carved like jack-o-lanterns and stuffed with savory turkey, rice and beans for a Halloween treat.
# Ingredients:
01 -
8 orange bell peppers
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 1/4 cups diced yellow onion
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1 pound ground turkey or ground chicken
05 -
1 tablespoon minced garlic
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1 1/2 cups cooked white basmati rice
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1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
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1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon dried basil
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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3/4 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the tops off the bell peppers, remove ribs and seeds, and carve faces into the peppers as desired. Place peppers in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 -
Add ground turkey (or chicken) and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon.
04 -
Stir in cooked rice, black beans, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb some of the sauce. Remove from heat.
05 -
Spoon the prepared filling into each bell pepper. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of each stuffed pepper.
06 -
Pour 1 1/2 cups water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake the stuffed peppers, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the peppers soften slightly.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Adding water to the baking dish helps steam the peppers for a softer texture.
02 -
For creative results, experiment with different jack-o-lantern face designs.
03 -
Extra rice filling can be served as a side dish or used to fill other vegetables.