This Halloween dinner transforms ordinary stuffed peppers into edible jack-o’-lanterns that make vegetables fun. Orange bell peppers get carved with faces, then stuffed with seasoned beef and rice that glows through the cutouts. Every October, my kitchen smells amazing while these bake, creating dinner that doubles as decoration.

Jack O’Lantern Stuffed Peppers is the perfect way to serve healthy Halloween food that kids actually want to eat. These carved peppers look like tiny pumpkins on the plate, complete with silly faces that make everyone smile before they even taste how delicious they are inside.

Your kids will actually ask for seconds of vegetables when they’re this cute and fun to eat. I use sharp paring knives for carving faces, orange peppers for sweetness, and ground beef for a hearty filling everyone loves. Always make extra because leftovers are even better the next day for lunch.

It’s easy to serve these as complete meals since they have protein, vegetables, and grain all in one pepper. Some families add garlic bread on the side, and this becomes the Halloween dinner everyone requests year after year.

What I LOVE about this recipe

• Vegetables become the star of the Halloween dinner
• Kids help carve faces and choose their pepper
• Healthy meal disguised as holiday fun food
• One pepper is a complete, balanced meal
• Makes amazing photos for Instagram memories

Ingredients

For the Peppers:

• 6 large orange bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

For Assembly:

• Small, sharp knife for carving
• Extra cheese for topping

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Sharp paring knife for carving faces
• Large skillet for cooking filling
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil for covering
• Cutting board
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups

How to make Jack O’Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Step 1

Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Using a small, sharp knife, carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into one side of each pepper. Set aside.

Step 2

If not already cooked, prepare 1 cup of white rice according to package directions. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Step 4

Add onion to meat and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, half the cheese, half the tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Stand peppers upright in a baking dish (trim bottoms slightly if needed for stability). Fill each pepper with the meat mixture. Top with the remaining cheese.

Step 7

Pour the remaining tomato sauce around the peppers in the dish. Add 1/2 cup of water to the dish for steam.

Step 8

Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes until peppers are tender.

Step 9

Remove foil last 5 minutes to lightly brown cheese. Faces should be visible and cheese melted.

Step 10

Let cool 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve with carved faces facing out for full effect.

Additional tips

• Choose Right Peppers: Pick peppers that stand upright without wobbling. Orange ones look most like pumpkins and taste sweetest.
• Carve Carefully: Cut faces before cooking when peppers are firm. Simple triangle eyes work better than detailed designs.
• Don’t Overstuff: Leave room at the top for cheese to melt. Overfilled peppers spill and lose their shape while cooking.
• Stabilize Peppers: Slice a tiny bit off the bottom if needed. They must stand straight or filling falls out.
• Save Pepper Tops: Chop removed tops for the filling mixture. Reduces waste and adds extra pepper flavor inside.
• Pre-cook Rice: Always use already-cooked rice in filling. Raw rice won’t cook properly inside the peppers.
• Check Tenderness: Peppers should be soft but not mushy. Test with a fork after 30 minutes for perfect texture.

Optional Ingredients

• Black beans instead of meat for a vegetarian
• Corn kernels for sweetness and color
• Green chilies for a spicy kick
• Quinoa replacing rice for extra protein
• Mushrooms for an umami flavor boost
• Italian sausage instead of ground beef

Is Jack O’Lantern Stuffed Peppers Healthy?

These stuffed peppers are actually one of the healthiest Halloween meals you can serve. Each pepper provides a full serving of vegetables, lean protein from meat, and complex carbs from rice, creating balanced nutrition in a fun package.

Orange peppers pack vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants while being naturally sweet. Using lean ground turkey instead of beef cuts calories and fat further. At about 320 calories per pepper, they’re filling but not heavy, leaving room for a small Halloween dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

My faces disappear during cooking – help?

Cut deeper and wider than you think necessary. Peppers shrink slightly when cooking, making small cuts close up.

What if peppers won’t stand up?

Use a muffin tin to hold peppers upright while baking. Or lean them against each other in a smaller dish.

Can kids eat the faces?

Absolutely! The carved pieces are just pepper. Some kids eat around faces to “save” them for last.

Any color pepper works?

Yes, but orange looks most Halloween-appropriate. Red works too, yellow and green are less festive but still tasty.

How do I know when done?

Peppers feel tender when pressed gently, and cheese melts completely on top. Usually 35-40 minutes does it.

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