Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Bylilan Sage
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Introduction

Celebrate Halloween with a festive twist using these Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers. This fun and flavorful dish combines savory ground beef, cheese, and rice inside bright orange bell peppers carved like traditional lanterns.

A single stuffed yellow bell pepper with a carved jack-o'-lantern face sits in the center of a white plate, resting on a thick layer of red tomato sauce that spreads beneath it; the slightly charred top of the pepper is placed slightly open, revealing a textured brown and green filling inside. In the softly blurred background, a white round baking dish holds more stuffed peppers with the same yellow hue and slight charring. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce (divided)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 5 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly oil a baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Step 2: Using a small paring knife, carefully carve a jack-o’-lantern face on the side of each bell pepper. Remove the tops, seeds, and membranes, keeping the tops for later.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, melted butter, kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, minced garlic, green onions, grated cheddar cheese, and cooked brown rice until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each prepared pepper and replace the removed tops.
  5. Step 5: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 60 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is fully cooked.
  6. Step 6: Just before serving, remove the tops and sprinkle chopped parsley over the filling. Replace the tops, warm the remaining tomato sauce, and spoon it around each pepper on the plate.

Tips & Variations

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or a mix of chopped mushrooms and walnuts.
  • Use sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses for extra flavor; mozzarella works well for a milder taste.
  • If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the chili powder.
  • To make carving easier, slightly soften peppers by microwaving them for 30 seconds before carving.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the texture of the peppers. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A small yellow bell pepper with a carved jack-o-lantern face is placed upright on a white plate with a pool of smooth red tomato sauce beneath it, showing soft and shiny textures. The top of the pepper, with a browned stem, is slightly tipped open and resting back on the pepper, revealing a minced meat stuffing inside. In the blurry background, there is a white bowl filled with more stuffed yellow peppers. The scene sits on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers in advance and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

What can I use instead of brown rice?

White rice, quinoa, or even cooked couscous are great alternatives that will work well in this recipe.

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Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 131 reviews
  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

This festive Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers recipe is perfect for a fun and hearty Halloween meal. Colorful orange bell peppers are carved like classic jack-o’-lanterns and filled with a flavorful mixture of lean ground beef, cheese, brown rice, and aromatic seasonings. Baked to tender perfection and served with warm tomato sauce, these stuffed peppers make a delightful and visually striking dish for the fall season.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Peppers

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
  • 4 large orange bell peppers

For the Filling

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce (from the 1 1/4 cups total)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice

For Serving and Garnish

  • 3/4 cup tomato sauce (remaining from 1 1/4 cups total)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil to prevent sticking and prepare it for the stuffed peppers.
  2. Carve peppers: Using a small paring knife, carefully carve a jack-o’-lantern face on the side of each large orange bell pepper. Remove the tops and set them aside. Then, remove the seeds and membranes from inside the peppers to make room for the filling.
  3. Mix filling: In a medium bowl, combine the lean ground beef, melted butter, kosher salt, ground black pepper, chili powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, minced garlic, sliced green onions, grated sharp cheddar cheese, and cooked brown rice. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well incorporated.
  4. Stuff peppers: Evenly spoon the beef mixture into each prepared pepper, packing the filling gently but firmly inside. Replace the top of each pepper that you previously removed.
  5. Bake: Place the stuffed peppers upright in the prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is fully cooked.
  6. Garnish and serve: Just before serving, remove the tops off the peppers and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Replace the tops and warm the remaining 3/4 cup tomato sauce on the stovetop or microwave. Spoon the warm tomato sauce around each stuffed pepper on the plate and serve immediately for a festive presentation.

Notes

  • Use ripe orange bell peppers for the best jack-o’-lantern look and sweetness.
  • Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for lean ground beef for a lighter option.
  • Ensure the brown rice is cooked before mixing into the filling.
  • If preferred, you can add extra cheese on top before baking for a cheesy crust.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • For a spicier version, add some cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the filling.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: stuffed peppers, jack-o’-lantern peppers, Halloween recipe, ground beef stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, festive dinner

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