Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
why make this recipe
Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are a fun and festive dish perfect for autumn and Halloween gatherings. They capture the spirit of the holiday with their playful pumpkin-like appearance. Not only are they adorable, but they also pack a delicious punch with their filling of beef, rice, and cheese. This recipe is a great way to get kids involved in cooking, as they can help with the carving and stuffing. Plus, they make for an excellent family meal that’s both satisfying and healthy.
how to make Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 large orange bell peppers
1 pound ground beef
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
0.333 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 tablespoons ketchup
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 pinches cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 cups seasoned tomato sauce, warmed
Directions:
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Coat a baking dish with olive oil.
Use a small knife to cut eyes, nose, and mouth into the flattest side of each pepper, just like a jack-o’-lantern. Cut around the seedpods and remove the tops, trimming and discarding any seeds from under the stems. Trim white membrane from the inside of each pepper and shake out any seeds. Place in the prepared baking dish.
Mix ground beef, cooked rice, cheese, green onions, melted butter, ketchup, garlic, salt, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and cayenne together in a large bowl until well combined.
Stuff beef mixture evenly into peppers and cover with the pepper tops.
Wrap the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and place on a sheet pan.
Bake in the upper center of the preheated oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil and continue baking until peppers are tender and ground beef is cooked through, 10 to 15 more minutes.
Place stuffed peppers on a few tablespoons of warm tomato sauce. Serve hot with more sauce on the side.
Serve and enjoy!
how to serve Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Serve these fun stuffed peppers with extra seasoned tomato sauce on the side. You can also pair them with a simple green salad or some crusty bread to make a complete meal. They are perfect for Halloween parties or family dinners. Enjoy them while they’re hot!
how to store Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
You can store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them in the microwave or oven until heated through.
tips to make Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
- Choose peppers that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices to suit your taste.
- Adding extra vegetables, like corn or black beans, can make the filling even heartier.
- If you want a little heat, use a spicy cheese or add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
variation
You can also make these stuffed peppers with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, use beans or lentils instead of meat, and add more veggies to the stuffing.
FAQs
Can I make these stuffed peppers ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the stuffed peppers and keep them in the fridge before baking. Just bake them when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers?
Yes, you can freeze the stuffed peppers before baking. Wrap them well and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake them from frozen, but add a bit more time to the cooking.
What type of cheese works best in this recipe?
Sharp cheddar cheese is a great choice, but you can also use mozzarella or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor.
Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Method
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Coat a baking dish with olive oil.
- Use a small knife to cut eyes, nose, and mouth into the flattest side of each pepper, just like a jack-o'-lantern. Discard any seeds from under the stems and shake out any seeds.
- Place the prepared peppers upright in the coated baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, cheese, green onions, melted butter, ketchup, garlic, salt, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and cayenne until well combined.
- Stuff the beef mixture evenly into the peppers and cover each with the pepper tops.
- Wrap the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and place on a sheet pan.
- Bake in the upper center of the preheated oven for 1 hour. Remove foil and continue baking until peppers are tender and ground beef is cooked, about 10 to 15 more minutes.
- Place stuffed peppers on a few tablespoons of warm tomato sauce. Serve hot with more sauce on the side.