Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers
Jack-o-lantern carving skills aren’t just reserved for pumpkins anymore! This easy, adorable, Halloween themed dinner recipe is the perfect thing to make before an evening of trick or treating to fill bellies up with something hearty and nutritious. These stuffed peppers bring together tender bell pepper, flavorful minced meat and melty cheese. The best part is, the faces just get funnier and spookier the more you dig into them.
Ingredients
4 bell peppers, any color
1lb ground beef
1/2 an onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup mixed frozen peas and corn
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
3 tablespoons California Olive Ranch Arbequina Oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup shredded cheese, Mexican blend or mozzarella work well here
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a medium sized skillet, over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of California Olive Ranch Arbequina reserve oil.
- Add onion and garlic to skillet, sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add ground beef to skillet and cook thoroughly, about 7-10 minutes, sprinkling with salt, cumin and garlic powder and stirring frequently.
- When meat is close to being cooked through, add in peas, corn, parsley and tomato sauce.
- Meanwhile, with a small, sharp knife, cut the tops off the bell peppers.
- Scoop out seeds and white flesh. Carve faces into them.
- Fill bell peppers with cooked meat mixture, top with shredded cheese and place bell pepper tops back on.
- Place stuffed peppers in an oven safe dish that holds them snuggly, so they stay upright.
- Place peppers in oven and cook for 25 minutes.
- Serve immediately over a bed of rice if desired.