Having a toddler in the house means making meals that are kid friendly and fun to make and eat. My two year old wants to participate when I cook, he wants stir the pancake batter, put a lid on a pot, sprinkle shredded cheese on a casserole. I make most of our meals family friendly, with the occasional spicy adult meals.
This week my son and I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and saw they were selling Halloween garden decor already. Of course we both excited and then I knew what I wanted to make for dinner. Jack O Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers. It’s fun and quick. A little heavy on prep because you need to make all the stuffing ingredients before you throw the bell peppers in the oven. I cut a corner and used boxed rice to cut down on prep time. I wish I used fresh diced tomatoes with this recipe but I made it so quickly I forgot to add. This is a great recipe if you have company over that has little ones.
Anyone who knows me it’s about this time of year that I get anxious for Halloween season. As Fall and Halloween is my favorite time of year.
The stuffing I make can be used also for nacho topping, or taco stuffing.

Prep time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 or 5 bell peppers (color is your choice)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 3 oz diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 cup of diced onion
• Shredded cheese (desired amount and type)
• 1 lbs ground beef
• Box of instant rice (desired flavor, I used Zatarain’s Salsa Verde)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Diced avocado (optional)
• Salt & pepper (desired amount)
• Diced tomatoes (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 °
2. Start by browning ground beef on medium/medium high heat in a large skillet and then add onion
3. Add desired amount of pepper and salt to taste
4. Add red pepper flakes, cumin, chili powder and jalapeno peppers, mix and stir till warm, remove from heat
5. Follow directions on instant rice and then add to skillet, mix into meat
6. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and add and spread vegetable oil
7. Begin cutting the tops of the bell peppers, remove inner seeds and ribs
8. Using a small sharp knife, cut your Jack O’ Lantern faces into the sides of the peppers
9. Stuff the bell peppers with the meat, rice mixture, top off with shredded cheese and put the tops back on the peppers, place in lined baking pan
10. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes
11. Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes, and then serve with optional toppings and enjoy!