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Healthy Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers: Easy Fall Dinner

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Fun, festive, and healthy stuffed bell peppers carved to look like jack-o-lanterns, filled with a savory turkey and rice mixture, perfect for Halloween or a fall weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup (180 g) cooked brown rice
  • 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley or chives for garnish, sour cream or Greek yogurt for dipping

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 a circle around the stem to remove the top like a pumpkin lid. Scoop out seeds and membranes. Carve jack-o-lantern faces (two triangle eyes and a mouth) into one side of each pepper, being careful not to cut through the back.
  3. Blanch the carved peppers and lids in boiling water for 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and pat dry.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Stir in cooked brown rice, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Place blanched peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon filling into each pepper, pressing gently. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Place lids at a slight angle.
  8. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and peppers are tender.
  9. Let cool in dish for 5 minutes. Transfer to plates using a spatula. Garnish with parsley or Greek yogurt if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Blanching the peppers is key to tender results. Carve faces carefully to avoid cutting through the back. For a vegetarian version, swap turkey for lentils or black beans. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, jack-o-lantern peppers, Halloween dinner, healthy stuffed peppers, turkey stuffed peppers, fall dinner, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/healthy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-easy-fall-dinner/