Spooky Delight: Halloween Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack-o’-Lanterns

Halloween is the perfect time to let your creativity run wild in the kitchen. Instead of the usual candies and sweets, these stuffed bell peppers shaped like jack-o’-lanterns add a fun and savory twist to your celebrations. The aroma of roasted peppers with spiced filling fills the air, making your home feel festive and warm.

Transforming ordinary peppers into glowing pumpkins turns dinner into a delightful spectacle. Kids and adults alike will marvel at how you brought spooky cheer to your table with just a few simple ingredients. It’s an easy, playful way to enjoy a veggie dish without sacrificing flavor or fun.

Stuffed Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers are carved to resemble miniature jack-o’-lanterns, filled with a flavorful spiced meat and rice mixture. Roasted until tender and slightly caramelized, they showcase a festive appearance with a savory filling inside crisp, roasted pepper shells, creating a playful and colorful presentation.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 large bell peppers preferably orange or yellow for festive look
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey/chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice white or brown
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• to taste salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Sharp Knife
• Spoon
• Mixing bowl
• Small paring knife

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice off the tops of the bell peppers and carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes, creating pumpkin-like cavities. Place the hollowed peppers upside down on a paper towel to drain excess moisture.
2. Using a small paring knife, carve faces into the outer shells of the peppers to resemble jack-o’-lanterns, with eyes, nose, and a jagged mouth. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. The mixture should smell savory and the onions slightly golden.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
5. Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, letting the spices toast slightly and fill the air with warming aromas, about 1 minute.
6. Fold in the cooked rice and shredded cheese into the meat mixture, mixing until evenly combined. The filling should be moist and flavorful, with melted cheese starting to bind everything together.
7. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, pressing gently to pack the mixture inside. Fill them generously almost to the top, encouraging a rounded, pumpkin-like shape.
8. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbling and slightly caramelized on top.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. The peppers will have softened and taken on a nice roasted, slightly charred appearance, enhancing their pumpkin-like look.
10. Serve the jack-o’-lantern peppers warm, showcasing their carved faces and savory filling. Enjoy the playful presentation and hearty flavors.

Notes

You can customize the filling with other vegetables or seasonings to suit your taste. For extra spookiness, add small edible ‘candies’ or herbs to mimic pumpkin features.

As the night falls and your porch lights flicker, your table will be lit by these cheerful, edible lanterns. Plus, they’re a charming conversation starter for any spooky gathering or family dinner during October. Happy haunting and happy cooking!