Description
Our fun and delicious Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are a great way to celebrate Halloween! A family favorite year after year!
NOTE: Version 1 is Whole30/Paleo and is the main part of the recipe card. Version 2 is not Whole30/Paleo and is found in the Notes section. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (sub avocado oil)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 batch homemade taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1–2 roma tomatoes, diced
- optional toppings: dairy-free sour cream, salsa, black olives, guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare Jack-O-Lanterns: Take bell peppers one at a time. Lay flat on its side on a cutting board and cut off the top of the pepper as thin as you can (do not discard). Use a small paring knife to scrape/cut out the seeds and membranes from the inside of the pepper. Then use the same paring knife to carefully cut a jack-o-lantern face into the front of the pepper, just like you would on a pumpkin. Repeat with all peppers and set aside.
- Bake: Take a small casserole dish and spray lightly with olive oil. Place bell peppers and tops inside and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until peppers are cooked, but still firm.
- Cook Filling: Meanwhile, take a large cast iron skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add garlic and let cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion and cook until it reduces, about 2-3 minutes. Brown ground turkey in the hot pan and allow to cook, about 5-7 minutes, or until fully cooked. Add taco seasoning, water, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes; stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired.
- Stuff Peppers: Scoop taco mixture into each pepper. Add toppings, as desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Version 2: Black Beans + Rice Option (not Whole30/Paleo): Prepare the peppers the same way, but stuff them with some homemade black beans and rice or use this boxed version. Stuff about 1 cup of black beans and rice in each pepper. Serve with your favorite toppings.
- Dairy-Free Sour Cream: I like to make my own, but this store-bought kind is great too!
- Ground Turkey: Feel free to use ground beef if you prefer!
- Tomato Paste: I like to use these tubes of tomato paste so I don’t have to open a can only to use a couple tablespoons.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 266
- Sugar: 8.9 g
- Sodium: 130.9 mg
- Fat: 12.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.9 g
- Protein: 24.6 g
- Cholesterol: 78.2 mg