Ingredients:

  • 4 large orange bell peppers (approx. 800g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (190g)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced (150g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (6g)
  • 1 can (8 oz / 225g) tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (115g)

Instructions:

  1. Slice the tops off the orange bell peppers to create lids. Use a spoon to remove seeds and membranes, then carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into the front of each pepper. Keep the lids for later.
  2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is no longer pink and onions are translucent.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Fold in the cooked rice and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Lightly brush the exterior of the carved peppers with olive oil and place them upright in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Generously stuff these Halloween stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice mixture, pressing down slightly, and cover with the reserved pepper lids.
  8. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the pepper walls feel tender crisp.
  9. Remove the lids and top each of the Halloween stuffed peppers with rice and the remaining shredded cheese.
  10. Bake for another 10 min.