Jack-o'-Lantern stuffed peppers
Jack-o'-Lantern stuffed peppers are a festive Halloween meal that combines flavor, fun, and nutrition. With a customizable filling of rice, meat, or veggies, these carved peppers make both a decorative and tasty centerpiece.
Ingredients
- 4 large orange bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice off the tops of bell peppers and remove seeds.
- Carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the peppers using a small knife.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onion and garlic.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomatoes, rice, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each pepper with the mixture and top with cheese.
- Place peppers in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to melt cheese fully.
- Serve warm as a festive Halloween meal.
Notes
- Choose firm, large peppers for easy carving.
- Use different colored peppers for variety.
- Replace rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Add black beans or corn for extra texture.
- Carve carefully to prevent tearing.