Description
These Halloween stuffed peppers are a festive, fun, and comforting dinner perfect for spooky celebrations. Carved like Jack-O-Lanterns and filled with a hearty, cheesy beef and rice mixture, they’re a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large orange or red bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: 1/2 cup corn
- Optional: 1/2 cup black beans
- Optional: 1 small jalapeño, diced
- Optional: 2 tablespoons parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice off the tops of the bell peppers about 1/2 inch below the stem and keep the tops for lids. Remove seeds and membranes. Carve Jack-O-Lantern faces into the sides of each pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned (5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Transfer beef mixture to a mixing bowl. Add cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well. Add optional corn, beans, jalapeño, or herbs if desired.
- Stuff each pepper with the filling, packing gently. Top with remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
- Arrange peppers upright in a baking dish. Place pepper lids nearby. Cover loosely with foil for softer peppers or leave uncovered for crispier skin.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden and bubbling. Tent with foil if faces brown too much.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Carve faces gently to avoid cracking peppers. Patch any cracks with cheese or filling. Use leftover rice for best texture. Peppers can be made ahead and reheated. For vegetarian or vegan, substitute beef and cheese with plant-based alternatives. Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 20
Keywords: Halloween stuffed peppers, Jack-O-Lantern peppers, festive dinner, kid-friendly, fall recipes, stuffed bell peppers, easy Halloween recipe