Halloween Stuffed Bell Peppers 🎃🎃

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Bell Peppers (any color, tops cut off and cleaned, carved for Halloween)
• 500 grams Ground Beef (lean ground beef)
• 7 pieces Mushrooms (cleaned and diced small)
• 1 piece Onion (medium, diced)
• 0.5 cup Cooked Rice (optional, cooked and cooled)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Paste (plus or minus 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Sauce
• 1 tsp Oregano (dried)
• 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (ground)
• 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder (minced dried garlic)
• 1 tsp Salt (to taste)
• 1 cup Shredded Cheese (any meltable cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

1. Carve and Clean Peppers

   Cut the tops off each bell pepper, remove seeds and membranes, then carve a spooky face or design on the side of each pepper.

   Time: PT10M

2. Preheat Oven

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 400°F

3. Initial Baking of Peppers

   Place the carved peppers on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until they begin to soften.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: 400°F

4. Prep Stuffing Ingredients

   Dice the mushrooms and onion into small pieces; measure out tomato paste, sauce, and spices.

   Time: PT5M

5. Sauté Onions

   Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.

   Time: PT3M

6. Brown Ground Beef

   Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

7. Combine Filling Ingredients

   Stir in the diced mushrooms, optional cooked rice, tomato paste, tomato sauce, oregano, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

   Time: PT5M

8. Cool Peppers Slightly

   Remove the baked peppers from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes so they can be handled safely.

   Time: PT5M

9. Stuff Peppers

   Fill each pepper with the beef‑mushroom mixture, layering shredded cheese between layers and topping with a generous amount of cheese.

   Time: PT5M

10. Replace Tops

    Place the previously saved tops back onto each pepper.

    Time: PT2M

11. Final Bake

    Return the stuffed peppers to the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: 400°F

12. Rest and Serve

    Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with bread or soup.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

360

Protein

30g

Carbohydrates

30g

Fat

35g

Fiber

3g