Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers: A Festive Halloween Dinner

Halloween treats may get most of the attention in October, but dinner can be part of the fun, too! These Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers transform a simple, family-friendly meal into a festive dish that is perfect for celebrating the season.

Each orange bell pepper is carved with its own jack-o’-lantern face and filled with a hearty mixture of seasoned meat, rice, salsa, and melted cheese. They’re surprisingly easy to make and are sure to bring a few smiles to the dinner table.

Why You’ll Love This Halloween Recipe

These stuffed peppers are:

• Festive without being complicated

• Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients

• Fun for children and adults

• Great for an October dinner at home or during an RV trip

• A savory break from all the Halloween candy

Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 orange bell peppers

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 cup cooked rice

• 1 cup salsa

• 1 cup shredded cheese, divided

• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning

• Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, or additional salsa

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Slice the top off each bell pepper and set the tops aside. Remove the seeds and membranes from inside the peppers.

3. Carefully use a small knife to carve a simple jack-o’-lantern face into one side of each pepper. Larger, uncomplicated shapes work best and help the peppers remain sturdy while baking.

4. Cook the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned. Drain any excess grease.

5. Stir the cooked rice, salsa, taco seasoning, and ½ cup of shredded cheese into the meat.

6. Spoon the filling evenly into the carved peppers. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of each one.

7. Arrange the peppers upright in a baking dish and replace their tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated throughout.

8. Serve warm with sour cream, green onions, additional salsa, or your favorite toppings.

Make Them Your Own

This recipe is easy to adjust based on what your family enjoys. Try adding black beans or corn to the filling, changing the type of cheese, or using a preferred variety of salsa. Each pepper can also have a different carved expression, making dinner even more fun.

A Frightfully Fun October Meal

Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers bring Halloween spirit to the table without requiring an elaborate recipe. Serve them before an evening of costume parties, pumpkin carving, or trick-or-treating for a festive meal the whole family can enjoy.

Happy Halloween and happy cooking!