Transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a spooky Halloween feast with these Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers. This creative twist on classic stuffed peppers combines the festive spirit of pumpkin carving with a hearty, satisfying meal that both kids and adults will love. By carefully carving jack-o’-lantern faces into bright orange bell peppers and filling them with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and vegetables, you create an edible decoration that’s as tasty as it is eye-catching. These playful peppers serve six people and make the perfect centerpiece for Halloween dinner, costume parties, or any autumn gathering where you want to add a touch of seasonal fun to your table.
Serves: 6 people
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
What You’ll Need
- 6 large orange bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Getting Your Peppers Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Choose peppers that can stand upright on their own – if they wobble, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to create a flat base, being careful not to cut through to the inside. Cut off the top of each pepper about 3/4 inch from the stem end, creating a lid. Remove all seeds and white membrane from inside the peppers, creating a hollow cavity for stuffing.
Creating the Jack-O’-Lantern Faces
Using a sharp paring knife, carefully carve triangle eyes and a zigzag or curved mouth into each pepper. Keep the cuts simple – triangular eyes work best, and avoid making the features too large or the pepper walls too thin, as this could cause them to collapse during cooking. Pat the peppers dry with paper towels after carving.
Making the Filling
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through.
Drain any excess fat from the pan, then stir in the drained diced tomatoes, cooked rice, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the beef broth and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese and the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Stuffing and Baking
Place the carved peppers in a baking dish that holds them snugly upright. If needed, add a small amount of water to the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each pepper, filling them completely but not overpacking. Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining shredded cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 8-10 minutes until the peppers are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Serving Your Spooky Creation
Let the peppers cool for 5 minutes before serving – they’ll be very hot inside. Place each jack-o’-lantern pepper on individual plates and serve immediately. The carved faces will be clearly visible, creating a fun and festive presentation that’s sure to bring smiles to your dinner table.
Tips for Success
Choose peppers that are similar in size so they cook evenly. If your peppers are particularly large, you may need to increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes. For a healthier version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use brown rice instead of white rice. You can prepare these peppers a day ahead and refrigerate them before baking – just add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.
Storage and Leftovers
Leftover jack-o’-lantern peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. The carved faces may soften slightly when reheated, but the flavor remains delicious.
