Spooky Sweetness: The Art of Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Most Halloween treats lean toward the sweet side, but I love flipping the script with savory, colorful stuffed peppers shaped like mini jack-o’-lanterns. They transform your kitchen into a haunted house, with vibrant orange peppers hollowed out and carved into cheerful or spooky faces. This not only sparks kids’ delight but also makes a stunning table centerpiece that’s edible.

Shaping peppers to resemble tiny jack-o’-lanterns is surprisingly easy, and the sensory thrill of cutting into their smiling or grinning faces is pure joy. Filling them with seasoned rice, spiced ground meats, or even a medley of roasted vegetables turns each bite into a playful harmony of textures and flavors. It’s a Halloween project that combines creativity with comforting, hearty eating.

Mini Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

This dish features vibrant orange bell peppers carved into Halloween-themed faces, hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of seasoned rice and ground meats. The peppers are baked until tender, producing a colorful, festive appetizer or main course with a cheerful appearance and satisfying texture.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 large orange bell peppers preferably firm and colorful
• 1 cup cooked rice preferably cooled
• 0.5 pound ground meat (beef or turkey) or vegetarian alternative
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder for spicing
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
• to taste salt and pepper for seasoning

Equipment

• Chef’s knife
• Baking sheet
• Spoon
• Small paring knife
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Using a small paring knife, carefully carve faces into each orange pepper, creating cheerful or spooky jack-o’-lantern expressions. Set aside the tops to use as lids later.
3. Slice off the tops of the peppers and gently hollow out their insides with a spoon, removing seeds and membranes to create hollow shells that will be filled.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and slightly translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the ground meat to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Stir in cooked rice, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and flavorful.
7. Spoon the hearty filling into each hollowed pepper, filling them generously without overflowing.
8. Place the filled peppers on the prepared baking sheet, positioning their tops back or leaving open based on preference. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until peppers are tender and slightly blistered at edges.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. The peppers will be vibrant, with carved facial expressions framing a savory filling inside.

Notes

For extra fun, add cheese or herbs as toppings before baking. Ensure peppers are cooked until tender for the best texture.

In the end, these Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers bring a fun, inviting spirit to your seasonal table. They’re perfect for casual gatherings, costumed parties, or just a fun family dinner when everything feels a little more magical. Plus, their vibrant appearance makes every bite a celebration of autumn’s bold colors and flavors.

As the season deepens and the nights grow longer, dishes like this remind us that food can be both a playful art and a way of bringing people together. Whether you carve them on the stovetop or the cutting board, these peppers make Halloween a little brighter—and a lot tastier.

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