Halloween Stuffed Bell Peppers

Halloween is a highlight in our house and these stuffed bell pepper Jack-O’‑Lanterns make dinner extra fun The classic savory filling of ground beef and brown rice turns festive when tucked inside carved orange peppers that look like tiny pumpkins on your plate Every time I serve these the kids are thrilled to help carve faces and eat the silly results

I first made these peppers as a way to coax my picky eaters into eating vegetables and now it is one tradition everyone looks forward to carving faces together always gets us laughing

Gather Your Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: Choose fresh well-marbled beef for juicy flavor
• Large clove garlic: Opt for firm unblemished cloves for the boldest taste
• Medium onion: Sweet yellow onions give great balance and aroma
• Canola oil: Neutral oil that keeps everything tender and moist
• Chopped fresh parsley: Adds freshness and color always use bright green leaves
• No-salt-added tomato sauce: Go for low-sodium to keep the dish healthy and bright
• Salt and ground pepper: Enhances every bite use sea salt and freshly ground pepper if possible
• Cooked brown rice: Hearty chewy texture offers fiber and nutty taste use day-old rice if you have it
• Large orange bell peppers: Choose firm vibrant peppers that can stand upright
• Fresh grated cheese (optional): Optional for topping adds gooeyness and flavor

How to Make It

Prep the Peppers:

Wash the orange bell peppers thoroughly Cut just the tops off and use a small knife to trace out fun Jack-O’‑Lantern faces Carefully remove all the seeds and membranes inside making sure not to split or crack the pepper walls These will be your edible pumpkin bowls

Cook the Filling:

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat Add chopped onion and minced garlic stirring slowly until soft and translucent about 5 minutes Add the ground beef breaking it up as it browns Cook until the meat loses its pink then stir in salt pepper fresh parsley half the tomato sauce and the cooked brown rice Let it bubble gently so the flavors come together around 3 more minutes

Stuff the Peppers:

Scoop generous spoons of the beef mixture into each carved pepper pressing down to fill every corner This helps the Jack-O’‑Lanterns keep their shape Place each full pepper upright in the baking dish and spoon the rest of the tomato sauce over and inside for extra moisture and flavor

Bake the Peppers:

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees until the peppers are fork tender about 30 to 35 minutes Take off the foil and put back in the oven so the tops get lightly golden about 10 minutes more For extra pizzazz sprinkle grated cheese over the tops before the last bake

Serve and Enjoy:

Using a wide spatula gently lift out the hot peppers Serve on plates with a sprinkle of parsley or extra cheese for a festive Halloween touch These are best enjoyed warm and can double as a table centerpiece

My favorite part has always been carving the faces with my kids One Halloween we held a contest and even Grandma joined in The silliest looking pepper ended up tasting the best

Flavor Boosters

The art of picking the perfect peppers really changes this dish look for bright skins that feel heavy for their size

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a simple green salad and a slice of crusty bread These look great on a Halloween buffet with other orange or pumpkin-themed treats Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy finish kids love this extra

Creative Twists

No beef on hand try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version For a veggie version swap the meat for cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms with extra spices If you do not want to use brown rice small cooked pasta or gluten free grains also work

Pack the filling tightly to help the peppers stand up and hold their shape on the baking tray

Recipe FAQs

→ How do you carve jack-o'-lantern faces in bell peppers?

Use a sharp knife to carefully cut out eyes and a mouth on each pepper after removing the tops and seeds. Take your time for fun shapes!

→ What kind of beef works best?

Lean ground beef gives a rich flavor without excess grease. You can also use turkey or plant-based options.

→ Can I prepare the peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can fill and carve the peppers a day before. Keep them covered in the fridge until baking.

→ What can I serve with these stuffed peppers?

Pair with a leafy green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced, festive meal.

→ Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Swap the beef for lentils or a plant-based crumble and follow the same instructions for a veggie version.

→ How do you keep peppers from toppling in the oven?

Trim the bottoms just enough to help them stand. Snugly arrange peppers in the baking dish for support.