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Best Easy Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

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These Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun Halloween twist on classic stuffed peppers. Carved like little pumpkins, they’re filled with a savory beef and rice mixture, topped with melted cheese, and baked to perfection—a family-friendly dinner that converts skeptics and delights kids.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ cup finely chopped zucchini or mushrooms (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash and dry the orange bell peppers. Cut a small circle around the stem on top (about 1 inch in diameter) and pull out the stem to create a ‘hat.’ Scoop out seeds and membranes.
  3. Blanch the hollowed peppers in boiling water for exactly 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Using a sharp paring knife, carve triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into each pepper. Cut the mouth at least ½ inch wide to prevent closing during baking.
  5. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. If using zucchini or mushrooms, add and cook 2 more minutes.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Simmer 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, packing gently but firmly. Place stuffed peppers in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Place pepper ‘hats’ next to each pepper in the dish.
  8. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. For browner cheese, broil for the last 2 minutes.
  9. Let peppers rest in the dish for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with pepper hats on top.

Notes

Choose squat, round orange bell peppers for best results. Don’t skip blanching—it softens the peppers for easier carving. Cut the mouth wider than you think to prevent it from closing during baking. For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with 1½ cups cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles. To make ahead, assemble and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed. Freeze unbaked peppers for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

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