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Cozy Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Peppers: Best Halloween Dinner

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Fun and festive Halloween dinner featuring bell peppers carved with silly faces, stuffed with a savory beef and rice filling, and topped with melted cheese. A family-friendly recipe that turns picky eaters into believers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color; orange and yellow look most like jack-o-lanterns)
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup (200g) cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (or a mix)
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash and dry bell peppers. Cut a small circle around the stem (about 1½ inches in diameter) and remove the top. Scoop out seeds and membranes. Do not rinse.
  3. Submerge hollowed peppers in boiling water for exactly 2 minutes. Remove with tongs and drain upside down on paper towels.
  4. Once cool enough to handle (about 5 minutes), use a sharp paring knife to carve small triangles for eyes and a jagged mouth. Cut all the way through the pepper wall; holes should be about ½ inch wide.
  5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  6. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir to coat. Pour in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Fold in cooked rice until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.
  9. Stand carved peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper with the meat and rice mixture, pressing gently. Leave about ½ inch of space at the top.
  10. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of each pepper.
  11. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  12. Let peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

Choose squat, wide peppers for easier carving and stability. Don’t skip blanching—it softens the skin for carving and reduces baking time. Keep carved pepper pieces to sauté with onion for extra flavor. For a vegetarian version, replace beef with 1 can black beans (rinsed) and ½ cup frozen corn. For a low-carb version, replace rice with 1 cup riced cauliflower. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days; freeze unbaked for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, Halloween dinner, jack-o-lantern peppers, ground beef, bell peppers, fall recipe, family dinner

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/cozy-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-best-halloween-dinner/