Orange bell peppers carved with simple jack-o’-lantern faces and filled with a mild beef, rice, tomato and cheese mixture for a playful Halloween dinner.
Orange bell peppers carved with simple jack-o’-lantern faces and filled with a mild beef, rice, tomato and cheese mixture for a playful Halloween dinner.
Why this approach should work
Simple triangle cutouts preserve more of the pepper wall.
The filling is cooked before stuffing for predictable doneness.
A brief covered bake softens the peppers before the final cheese melt.
Important ingredient roles
Orange bell peppers create the pumpkin shape.
Cooked rice gives the filling structure.
Lean ground beef supplies the main protein and must reach a safe temperature.
Tomato sauce adds moisture so the filling does not bake dry.
Safety note
Use a stable cutting board and cut away from the hand holding the pepper. Cook ground beef to the temperature in current USDA guidance and verify with a food thermometer.
Storage plan
Working guidance: cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate in covered shallow containers. Reheat until hot throughout. Verify holding time, reheating quality and final internal-temperature guidance during testing.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Simple triangle cutouts preserve more of the pepper wall.
The filling is cooked before stuffing for predictable doneness.
A brief covered bake softens the peppers before the final cheese melt.
Ingredients
Check off each ingredient as you get it ready.
Ingredient notes
Orange bell peppers create the pumpkin shape.
Cooked rice gives the filling structure.
Lean ground beef supplies the main protein and must reach a safe temperature.
Tomato sauce adds moisture so the filling does not bake dry.
How to make it
Heat the oven to 375°F. Slice the tops from the peppers and reserve them. Remove seeds and membranes without cutting through the sides.
Use a small sharp paring knife to cut two simple triangle eyes and a small mouth into one side of each pepper. Keep openings modest so the peppers remain sturdy.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until softened, then add the beef and cook while breaking it into small crumbles.
Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt. Continue cooking until the beef reaches a safe internal temperature, then remove excess rendered fat as needed.
Stir in the rice, 3/4 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup cheese. Taste only after the beef is fully cooked and record seasoning corrections.
Spread the remaining tomato sauce in a baking dish. Stand the peppers upright, fill them without packing too tightly and replace their tops. Cover and bake until the peppers are tender enough to pierce but still hold their shape.
Remove the cover and tops, add the remaining cheese and bake until melted. Check the final pepper texture before serving; total time is an estimate.
Pro tips
Carve small faces so the pepper walls stay sturdy while baking.
Storage & reheating
Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate them in covered shallow containers. Reheat until hot throughout.
Keep this recipe
Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Orange bell peppers carved with simple jack-o’-lantern faces and filled with a mild beef, rice, tomato and cheese mixture for a playful Halloween dinner.
Prep
30 min
Cook
35 min
Total
1 hr 5 min
Servings
4 stuffed peppers
Difficulty
Moderate
Course
Dinner
Cuisine
American-inspired
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Carve small faces so the pepper walls stay sturdy while baking.
Storage & safety
Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate them in covered shallow containers. Reheat until hot throughout.
Nutrition estimate
Nutrition has not been calculated for this recipe.
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