Halloween stuffed peppers are a fun and delicious dinner idea for the spooky season. Bell peppers are filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese, then carved with simple jack-o’-lantern faces before baking.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to prepare with simple ingredients
- Fun jack-o’-lantern design for Halloween
- Hearty and filling family dinner
- Perfect for Halloween parties and themed dinners
Ingredients
- 6 large orange bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Halloween Stuffed Peppers
1. Prepare the Peppers
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Wash the bell peppers and carefully cut off the tops. Remove the seeds and membranes.
Using a small sharp knife, cut simple jack-o’-lantern faces into the front of each pepper.
2. Cook the Filling
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute.
Add the cooked rice and tomato sauce. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through.
3. Stuff the Peppers
Place the peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
5. Serve
Let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Tips for Halloween Stuffed Peppers
- Use orange peppers for the classic pumpkin look.
- Cut the faces before stuffing the peppers to make carving easier.
- Do not make the jack-o’-lantern openings too large.
- Use cooked rice to keep the preparation quick and easy.
- For extra cheesiness, add mozzarella along with the cheddar.
Final Thoughts
Halloween stuffed peppers are a festive twist on classic stuffed peppers. With savory beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melted cheese inside colorful jack-o’-lantern peppers, they make a fun Halloween dinner that the whole family can enjoy.
