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Halloween Stuffed Peppers: A Spooktacular Treat

Featured in: Vegetable and Grain Sides

These Halloween stuffed peppers bring spooky fun to the dinner table without sacrificing nutrition. Orange bell peppers are carved with classic jack-o'-lantern faces, then stuffed with a savory mixture of ground turkey, black beans, rice, and Mexican-style seasonings. When baked, the peppers become tender while the filling stays moist and flavorful, creating a perfectly balanced meal that's both festive and healthy. Melted cheese on top adds a delicious finishing touch while making the jack-o'-lantern faces even more striking on your Halloween table.
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A young woman with long, wavy hair wearing glasses is seated at a table, holding a menu and looking thoughtfully to the side in a softly lit restaurant.
Updated on Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:44:00 GMT
A tray of stuffed orange bell peppers shaped like jack-o'-lanterns, with baked toppings and decorative green stems. Pin it
A tray of stuffed orange bell peppers shaped like jack-o'-lanterns, with baked toppings and decorative green stems. | quickierecipe.com

Get ready to celebrate Halloween with these festive Halloween Stuffed Peppers! These colorful, jack-o-lantern-inspired peppers are not just fun to look at; they're also filled with a delicious mixture that makes for a hearty meal.

INGREDIENTS

  • Orange Bell Peppers: 8 peppers, hollowed out and carved with jack-o-lantern faces.
  • Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons for sautéing the onions.
  • Diced Yellow Onion: 2 1/4 cups, about 1 onion, for flavor.
  • Ground Turkey or Chicken: 1 pound, providing a hearty protein base.
  • Minced Garlic: 1 tablespoon, or about 3 cloves, for a savory kick.
  • White Basmati Rice: 1 1/2 cups, cooked according to package instructions.
  • Black Beans: 1 can (15.5 ounces), rinsed and drained for added fiber.
  • Tomato Sauce: 1 can (15 ounces), to keep everything moist and flavorful.
  • Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon, for herby notes.
  • Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Kosher Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, for seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, to taste.
  • Shredded Cheese: 3/4 cup, either cheddar or colby jack, for a cheesy topping.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2:
Cut the tops off the bell peppers. Using a small paring knife, remove the ribs and seeds from inside, then carve jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Place the peppers in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 3:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4:
Add the ground turkey (or chicken) and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes, breaking apart the meat with a wooden spoon.
Step 5:
Stir in the cooked rice, black beans, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, until the rice absorbs some of the sauce. Remove from heat.
Step 6:
Scoop a generous amount of the filling into each pepper and top with an equal amount of shredded cheese.
Step 7:
Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the peppers begin to soften.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serve these stuffed peppers warm, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
  • They pair well with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Gordon Ramsay recommends using fresh herbs for a burst of flavor.
  • Rachael Ray suggests adding a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Ina Garten emphasizes the importance of seasoning the filling well.

VARIATIONS

  • Experiment with different grains like quinoa or farro instead of rice.
  • Try using different types of cheese such as pepper jack for added flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, fill the peppers with a mixture of beans and vegetables instead of meat.

Halloween Stuffed Peppers: A Spooktacular Treat

These Halloween Stuffed Peppers are a creative and tasty way to celebrate the holiday. Stuffed with turkey, rice, and beans, they’re sure to be a hit!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 stuffed peppers)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 8 orange bell peppers.
02 2 tablespoons olive oil.
03 2 1/4 cups diced yellow onion (about 1 onion).
04 1 pound (16 ounces) ground turkey or ground chicken.
05 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 garlic cloves).
06 1 1/2 cups white basmati rice (cooked according to package instructions).
07 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained.
08 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce.
09 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
10 1 teaspoon dried basil.
11 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
12 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
13 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 02

Cut the tops off the bell peppers. Using your smallest paring knife, remove the ribs and seeds from inside. Then, cut jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Place peppers in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 04

Add ground turkey (or ground chicken) and garlic. Cook another 5 minutes, breaking apart the meat with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Step 05

Stir in rice, black beans, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, or until the rice starts to absorb the sauce. Remove from heat.

Step 06

Scoop a heaping amount of the rice filling into each pepper. Top each with an equal amount of shredded cheese.

Step 07

Pour 1 1/2 cups of water in the bottom of the baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the peppers begin to soften.

Notes

  1. You can customize the faces on the peppers to create unique jack-o-lantern designs.
  2. Feel free to substitute the ground turkey or chicken with your preferred protein.
  3. These peppers can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 20 g