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Halloween stuffed peppers carved like jack-o’-lanterns and filled with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese.

Halloween Stuffed Peppers

These easy Halloween Stuffed Peppers are made with orange bell peppers carved into jack-o’-lantern faces and filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. They're a fun, family-friendly Halloween dinner that's festive without being complicated.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 peppers
Calories 390 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, well drained
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Wash and dry the bell peppers.
  • Cut the tops from the peppers and set them aside. Remove the seeds and white membranes.
  • Carefully use a small paring knife to carve jack-o’-lantern eyes and mouths into one side of each pepper.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
  • Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds.
  • Stir in the cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
  • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup cheddar.
  • Arrange the carved peppers upright in a baking dish.
  • Divide the beef and rice filling evenly among the peppers.
  • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar over the filling.
  • Place the pepper tops loosely over the peppers or arrange them beside the peppers in the baking dish.
  • Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the peppers reach your preferred tenderness and the filling is hot.
  • Let the peppers rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
  • Place the little pepper lids on top and serve your jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers warm.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per 1 stuffed pepper:
  • Calories: 390
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 760 mg
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the size of the peppers, type of ground beef, cheese, rice, tomato sauce, and specific brands used.

Recipe Notes

For softer peppers, prebake the hollow peppers for about 10 minutes before filling.
Make sure the diced tomatoes are thoroughly drained. This helps keep the filling thick rather than watery.
The filling can be prepared up to one day ahead and refrigerated. Assemble and bake the peppers when you're ready to serve.
For meal prep, make the filling ahead and carve the peppers shortly before baking for the freshest-looking jack-o’-lantern faces.
Keyword Halloween, halloween stuffed peppers