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Cozy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe with Ground Turkey and Rice

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A festive and comforting fall recipe featuring carved orange bell peppers stuffed with a savory mix of ground turkey, rice, and herbs, perfect for a quick and family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and carefully slice off the tops of the bell peppers, creating a lid. Scoop out seeds and membranes. Carve Jack-O-Lantern faces on each pepper using a paring knife.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano.
  6. Stir in diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to warm through.
  7. Remove from heat and fold in cooked rice until evenly combined.
  8. Spoon the turkey and rice mixture into each carved pepper, packing gently but not overfilling. Place the lids on top if desired.
  9. Arrange stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top if using.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
  11. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use firm, large orange bell peppers for best carving results. Day-old rice works best to avoid soggy filling. Drain canned tomatoes well to control moisture. For a quick crust on cheese, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking. Variations include swapping ground turkey for chicken, beef, lentils, or tofu; adding jalapeño for spice; or using quinoa for gluten-free options.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground turkey, rice, Halloween recipe, fall dinner, Jack-O-Lantern peppers, easy dinner, family-friendly, seasonal recipe

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cozy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-recipe-with-ground-turkey-and-rice-easy-step-by-step-guide/