Festive Jack-o-lantern Bell Peppers

These festive Halloween stuffed peppers transform dinner into a spooky celebration with jack-o-lantern faces carved into bright orange bell peppers. The hearty filling of seasoned ground meat, rice, and beans creates a complete meal that's as fun to make as it is to eat.

I started making these years ago when my children were small and refused to eat before trick-or-treating. The jack-o-lantern faces were so irresistible they actually sat down to eat something nutritious before loading up on candy.

Ingredients

• Orange bell peppers: Provide the perfect festive color and shape for Halloween decorations while offering plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants
• Olive oil: Creates the flavorful base for sautéing the filling ingredients
• Yellow onion: Adds aromatic sweetness when cooked properly
• Ground turkey or chicken: Offers lean protein that takes on flavors beautifully
• Minced garlic: Provides essential flavor depth to the filling
• White basmati rice: Creates a fluffy texture that absorbs all the delicious sauce
• Black beans: Add plant protein and fiber making the meal more substantial
• Tomato sauce: Brings everything together with rich umami flavor
• Dried oregano and basil: Provide classic Italian flavor notes
• Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors throughout the dish
• Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth
• Shredded cheese: Creates that irresistible melty top that seals in moisture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Peppers:

Cut the tops off each bell pepper and carefully remove all ribs and seeds with a small paring knife. Using creative precision, carve jack-o-lantern faces into one side of each pepper. Position them standing upright in your baking dish so faces are visible.

Create The Filling Base:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add diced onions and cook for a full 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become translucent and slightly golden. This develops natural sweetness.

Cook The Protein:

Add ground turkey or chicken along with minced garlic to the onions. Cook for another 5 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break the meat into small crumbles. Continue until meat is fully cooked with no pink remaining.

Complete The Filling:

Incorporate the cooked rice, rinsed black beans, tomato sauce, and all seasonings into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine. Allow this mixture to cook for 3 to 5 more minutes until the rice begins absorbing the sauce and flavors meld together.

Stuff The Peppers:

Remove filling from heat and generously fill each prepared pepper with heaping spoonfuls of the mixture. Pack it in well but avoid overfilling. Top each pepper with an equal portion of shredded cheese.

Bake To Perfection:

Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish to create steam. Place peppers in preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese melts beautifully and peppers begin to soften while maintaining their shape.

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The orange bell peppers are truly the star of this recipe. Unlike green peppers that can taste slightly bitter, orange peppers offer natural sweetness that complements the savory filling perfectly. I remember the first time my youngest helped carve the faces—she was so proud of her creation she ate two entire peppers that night!

Make Ahead Options

These festive peppers can be completely assembled up to 24 hours before baking. Simply prepare as directed but instead of baking immediately, cover tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add the water to the baking dish and increase baking time to 20 minutes covered, then remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.

Ingredient Swaps

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Brown rice or quinoa work beautifully in place of white basmati rice for added nutrition. Vegetarians can omit the meat entirely and double the beans or add plant based crumbles. Red peppers work just as well though they lack the Halloween orange color. For those avoiding dairy, nutritional yeast or dairy free cheese substitutes melt nicely on top.

Serving Suggestions

Complete your Halloween dinner theme by serving these peppers alongside a green salad dressed with "spider web" drizzles of balsamic glaze. For dessert, consider apple slices with caramel dipping sauce. A warm apple cider pairs perfectly with this autumnal meal. Position the peppers on a serving platter with the faces all looking outward for maximum spooky effect at your Halloween dinner table.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make these Halloween stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the filling and carve the peppers up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when ready to serve. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

→ What can I use instead of ground turkey?

Ground chicken works perfectly as mentioned in the recipe. For other alternatives, try ground beef, plant-based meat substitute, or even cooked lentils for a vegetarian version. Each will provide a different flavor profile but work well with the other ingredients.

→ How do I make these stuffed peppers vegetarian?

Simply omit the ground turkey and add extra black beans, or substitute with plant-based meat alternatives, chopped mushrooms, or cooked lentils. You might want to add some smoked paprika or cumin to enhance the flavor profile.

→ What's the best way to cut jack-o-lantern faces on the peppers?

Use a small, sharp paring knife and start with simple shapes - triangles for eyes and a zigzag mouth are easiest. Cut through just one side of the pepper, not all the way through. For cleaner cuts, work slowly and consider drawing your design with a marker first as a guide.

→ Why add water to the baking dish?

The water creates steam in the oven which helps soften the peppers without drying them out. This technique allows the peppers to cook evenly while maintaining their structure so they don't collapse during baking.

→ What sides pair well with these stuffed peppers?

These stuffed peppers are quite filling on their own, but they pair nicely with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or a light soup. For a Halloween-themed meal, consider adding themed side dishes like 'spider web' dip or 'mummy' breadsticks.