Spooky Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers: 4 Delights

Oh, Halloween! It’s one of my absolute favorite times of year. There’s just something magical about the crisp air, the colorful leaves, and, of course, the fun food! Every year, I love finding new ways to make our dinners extra special and a little spooky. That’s precisely why I adore making these Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers. Imagine carving bright orange bell peppers into cute, grinning jack-o’-lantern faces and then filling them with a hearty, delicious mixture. They’re not just dinner; they’re edible art that kids (and adults!) absolutely go wild for. It reminds me of all the fun traditions my own kids used to love, making spooky treats together. As you can see from my story, making delicious memories is what it’s all about for me!

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Why You’ll Love These Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Trust me, these peppers are going to be a huge hit! Here’s why you’ll want to make them:

• They’re SO festive! Imagine serving these little edible jack-o’-lanterns – they instantly bring the Halloween spirit right to your dinner table.
• Super kid-friendly filling. My classic ground beef and rice mix is hearty and delicious, and the kids just love it. Plus, they can help carve the faces!
• Easier than you think! While they look impressive, the steps are really straightforward. You’ll have a spooky masterpiece on your plate in no time.
• So versatile. You can easily swap out the meat or even make them vegetarian. The flavor is always top-notch.

Gather Your Ingredients for Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Alright, let’s get our spooky supplies ready! For these adorable Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers, you’ll need a few things that are probably already in your pantry or fridge. It’s always best to have everything prepped before you start carving.

• 4 large orange bell peppers – Look for ones that sit up nicely on their own, or we’ll help them stand later!
• 1 tbsp olive oil – just a little to get things started.
• 1 lb ground beef – you can totally swap this for ground turkey or even some veggie crumbles if you like!
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped – this adds so much flavor.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – because garlic makes everything better.
• 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper – the usual suspects for seasoning.
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano – for that classic savory taste.
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) – if you like a little heat!
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce – this makes the filling nice and saucy.
• 1 cup cooked rice – white, brown, whatever you have on hand!
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese – for that bubbly, cheesy topping. Yum!

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How to Carve and Prepare Your Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Alright, this is where the real Halloween fun begins – turning ordinary peppers into spooky, smiling jack-o’-lanterns! It sounds a little fancy, but trust me, it’s super easy and totally worth it. My kids used to love helping with this part, and it makes the whole meal feel so special, just like our Mummy Hot Dogs turned out! It’s all about making those fun, spooky cute food memories.

Tips for Carving Bell Peppers for Halloween

First things first, grab a sharp paring knife. You want something sturdy but not too big. Carefully slice off the very top of each orange bell pepper, like you’re taking its little cap off. Then, reach inside and scoop out all those seeds and the white membranes. Now for the fun part – the face! Keep your designs simple; a triangle for eyes and a little jagged mouth works perfectly and is easy to cut. Just remember to cut *towards* the inside of the pepper, not all the way through!

Preparing Peppers to Stand for Your Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Sometimes peppers have a round bottom, which means they might want to take a tumble! To make sure your little jack-o’-lanterns stand proud in the baking dish, you’ve got a couple of tricks. A super easy way is to either trim a tiny bit off the bottom to create a flat spot, or my favorite trick is to just roll up a little ball of foil or even use a bit of crumpled paper towel and tuck it under the base when you set them in the pan. It’s like a little stand for them so they don’t fall over before they even get to the oven!

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Crafting the Delicious Filling for Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Now for the yummy part – the filling! This is what makes our Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers so satisfying and delicious. My go-to is a classic ground beef and rice combo, but I’ll also share how you can jazz it up with turkey or veggies. It’s just as important to get the flavor in the filling right as it is to get those cute faces carved!

Beef and Rice Filling for Stuffed Peppers

First, grab your favorite skillet and heat up that tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your chopped onion and ground beef. You want to cook that beef until it’s nicely browned, breaking it up with your spoon as you go. It’s a good idea to drain off any extra grease so the filling isn’t too oily. Now, throw in your minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and those optional red pepper flakes if you like a little zing. Give it a quick stir for about a minute until everything smells amazing – that’s when you know the flavors are really waking up! Then, stir in the tomato sauce and the cooked rice. Let it all simmer together for about five minutes. This lets all those flavors meld together perfectly, making for a really rich and savory filling that’s just begging to get tucked into those peppers. It’s a simple technique, but it makes all the difference, kind of like how we build flavor in my meatloaf! Or maybe you’re looking for something quick like my beef stroganoff?

Vegetarian and Turkey Variations for Stuffed Peppers

Don’t eat beef? No problem! This recipe is super adaptable. For a lighter option, swap the ground beef for 1 pound of ground turkey. Brown it up the same way you would the beef, and it works beautifully. The seasonings still give it great flavor. Or, if you’re going meatless or want something even lighter, you can use about 12-16 ounces of your favorite vegetarian crumbles or plant-based ground alternative. Just follow the same steps for browning and then add in the onions and seasonings. It’s a fantastic way to get a hearty, satisfying meal that everyone can enjoy. Who says you can’t have a spooky meal that’s also perfectly suited to your diet? It reminds me a bit of how adaptable my Turkey Meatloaf Muffins are!

Assembling and Baking Your Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Now that you’ve got your cute carved peppers and your delicious filling ready, it’s time to bring it all together! This is the final step before they hit the oven and become those amazing edible jack-o’-lanterns. It’s all about careful assembly to make sure they bake up perfectly. Whether I’m making these or my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, getting the assembly just right is key!

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Bake Time and Temperature for Stuffed Peppers

Pop those peppers into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. You’ll want to bake them for about 30 to 40 minutes. The goal is for the peppers to get nice and tender – you can easily test this by poking one with a fork. If it goes in with just a little resistance, they’re perfect. We’re not looking for mushy peppers, just tender ones that hold their shape. Add about 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of your baking dish before you put the foil on; this helps steam the peppers and keeps them from drying out, similar to how it helps with my Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables!

Achieving Perfectly Melted Cheese on Your Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Once the peppers are tender, you’ll want that gorgeous, melty cheese on top. Usually, by the 30-40 minute mark, the cheese will already be beautifully melted and bubbly. But if you’re like me and love that *extra* golden-brown finish, just carefully remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Keep an eye on them so the cheese doesn’t burn, but that little bit of uncovered time really makes the cheese look fantastic. It’s that little touch that makes them look so inviting!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Your Halloween Dinner

Halloween dinner can get a little hectic, right? That’s why I love that these Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers are totally make-ahead friendly! You can prepare the filling and even stuff the peppers a day in advance. Just pop them into the fridge, covered tightly. When it’s dinner time, just pop them in the oven. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since they’re going in cold, but it’s so worth it for the time saved later. It’s just like my freezer breakfast burritos; a lifesaver on busy mornings! Leftovers are also great; just reheat them gently in the oven or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Got questions about creating these spooky little guys? I’ve got you covered! It’s always good to know the little tricks that make a recipe work perfectly. Here are a few things folks often ask:

Can I use different colored bell peppers?

You absolutely can! While orange peppers make the most iconic jack-o’-lanterns, don’t be afraid to use red or yellow ones too. They’ll still look fantastic and taste just as yummy. Green peppers work, but their slightly more bitter flavor might not be for everyone, especially if you’re trying to please picky eaters. For the best Halloween vibe, though, orange is really where it’s at!

How can I make my jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers spicier?

If you love a little heat, this recipe is super easy to adjust! Just add a pinch more of those red pepper flakes to the filling when you’re cooking the beef and seasonings. You could also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the tomato sauce mixture, or even serve them with a side of salsa or a spicy aioli for dipping. Get creative and give those jack-o’-lanterns a fiery grin!

Can I freeze these stuffed peppers?

Yes, you totally can freeze them! The best way is to assemble them completely and bake them. Once they’re cooled, wrap them well. You can freeze them individually or together in a baking dish. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat them in the oven or microwave until they’re hot all the way through. They make for fantastic make ahead options!

Serving Suggestions for a Festive Halloween Meal

Now that you’ve got your spooky jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers, what else makes a Halloween meal complete? I love pairing these with something fun and festive! Think about serving them with a side of yummy Apple Cider Sangria for the grown-ups, a refreshing Apple Cider Margarita, or a big pitcher of my bright Watermelon Lemonade for the kids. If you’re looking for another easy side, some simple garlic bread sticks or a light green salad would be perfect. It’s all about making the whole meal an event!

Nutritional Information for Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info here is always an estimate, you know? It can totally change depending on the exact brands you use, if you swap out ingredients, or even how much cheese you sprinkle on top! But generally, one of these adorable stuffed peppers gives you about 450 calories, 25g of fat, 25g of protein, and 30g of carbs. It’s a really satisfying and fun meal!

Share Your Spooky Creations!

I’d just LOVE to see your amazing Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers! Did you carve a super silly face? Did the kids help with the carving? Please share your creations and tell me all about them in the comments below, or even better, leave a rating for the recipe! You can also reach out to me on my contact page. Seeing your kitchen magic makes my day!

Jack-o’-lantern Stuffed Peppers

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Carve bell peppers into festive jack-o’-lanterns and stuff them with seasoned ground beef and rice for a fun Halloween dinner.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Total Time: 65 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 4 large orange bell peppers
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the peppers.
3. Place the carved peppers cut-side up in a baking dish. You can use small balls of foil or crumpled paper towels to help them stand upright if needed.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion and cook until browned, breaking up the meat. Drain off any excess grease.
5. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Stir in tomato sauce and cooked rice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into the carved bell peppers.
8. Top each pepper with shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Pour about 1/2 inch of water into the bottom of the baking dish around the peppers.
10. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil.
11. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove foil for the last 10 minutes if you want the cheese to brown.

Notes

• For a make-ahead option, prepare the filling and stuff the peppers up to a day in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• You can substitute ground turkey or a vegetarian crumbles for the ground beef.
• For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes to the filling.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 90mg