Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

ByTaylor
Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 39 reviews

There’s something so festive and fun about turning ordinary bell peppers into smiling little Jack-O’-Lanterns, especially when they’re stuffed with a hearty, flavorful filling. I’m excited to share my fan-freaking-tastic Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe with you—a dish that’s as much fun to make as it is to eat! These peppers bring a pop of color, personality, and comforting goodness to your dinner table, making them a fantastic centerpiece for fall gatherings or any night you want a little playful surprise.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Visual Fun: Carving the peppers like Jack-O’-Lanterns turns a simple stuffed pepper into a festive showstopper.
  • Balanced Filling: The mix of ground turkey, rice, black beans, and spices creates a filling that’s hearty, healthy, and full of flavor without being too heavy.
  • Easy Prep & Bake: The recipe is straightforward, perfect for cooks of all skill levels, and needs just a single baking dish to keep cleanup simple.
  • Customizable: From switching up the protein to adding different veggies or cheeses, you can tailor each component to fit your tastes or dietary needs.
This image shows six stuffed yellow bell peppers arranged closely in a white baking dish on a white marbled surface. Each pepper has its top cut off and carved with small triangle and circle shapes to look like Jack-o'-lantern faces. The peppers are filled with a textured mixture of rice, black beans, and other small ingredients, topped with melted, slightly browned cheese covering the filling. The bright yellow peppers have a smooth, shiny skin, and the melted cheese adds a creamy contrast on top. The overall scene is warm and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that complement each other beautifully. The bell peppers act as edible bowls with a little Halloween personality, while the filling brings satisfying textures and flavors. Picking fresh peppers and good-quality ground turkey can really make a difference here.

  • Orange Bell Peppers: Bright and sweet, perfect for carving and holding the filling without getting too soggy.
  • Olive Oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps soften onions and garlic without overpowering.
  • Yellow Onion: Gives a natural sweetness and depth to the filling.
  • Ground Turkey: Lean and mild, it soaks up the spices and tomato sauce wonderfully.
  • Garlic: Gives a fragrant punch that wakes up the filling’s flavors.
  • White Basmati Rice: Fluffy and aromatic, it binds the filling ingredients nicely.
  • Black Beans: A great source of protein and fiber, adding texture and heartiness.
  • Tomato Sauce: Keeps the filling moist and adds a nice tangy balance.
  • Dried Oregano & Basil: Classic Italian herbs that bring warmth and flavor without the fuss of fresh herbs.
  • Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential to bring all the flavors together.
  • Shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, adding creaminess and a little bite.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you’re hungry for more spice, need to swap ingredients for dietary reasons, or want to boost the veggie count, you’ve got plenty of options. Don’t be shy—make it your own!

  • Variation: I’ve swapped ground turkey for ground beef or chicken when I’m craving a different flavor profile, and honestly, both work great.
  • More Veggies: Throw in sautéed mushrooms, diced zucchini, or even some corn to add more texture and nutrition to the filling.
  • Dairy-Free: Use a vegan cheese or skip it altogether for a lighter dish that still tastes amazing.
  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños if you like things with a little heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Step 1: Prep Those Peppers Into Fun Faces

First thing’s first—preheat your oven to 400°F so it’s ready when you are. Grab your orange bell peppers and carefully cut off the tops. Using a small paring knife, scoop out the ribs and seeds, then carve cute (or spooky!) Jack-O’-Lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Don’t worry if your skills aren’t perfect—it adds charm! Place the carved peppers upright in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish to get ready for stuffing.

Step 2: Cook the Flavorful Filling

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and swirl in the olive oil. Toss in the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and slightly golden. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant—don’t let it burn! Then, add your ground turkey, breaking it apart with your spatula, and cook until it’s no longer pink, around 5 minutes.

Step 3: Bring Filling Ingredients Together

Stir the cooked basmati rice, black beans, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper into the turkey mixture. Cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, letting the rice absorb some of the sauce and the flavors meld. Then, remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 4: Stuff and Bake

Spoon a generous scoop of the rice and turkey filling into each pepper. Top with shredded cheese—the melty goodness on top is the best part. Pour about 1 ½ cups of water around the bottom of the baking dish to keep things moist while baking. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the peppers are tender but still hold their shape.

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Pro Tips for Making Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

  • Carving Safety: Use a small, sharp paring knife for better control when carving your Jack-O’-Lantern faces to avoid slips and uneven cuts.
  • Keep Peppers Upright: Make sure the base of each pepper is flat so they sit steadily in the baking dish and don’t tip over while baking.
  • Moisture Matters: Pour water around the base of the peppers, not on top, to keep them from drying out without sogginess.
  • Don’t Overstuff: Filling the peppers just right helps them cook evenly and prevents the filling from spilling out in the oven.

How to Serve Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Three orange bell peppers are sitting on a white plate; each bell pepper is hollowed out and carved like a jack-o'-lantern with triangular eyes and a jagged mouth, showing layers of stuffing inside made of rice and beans that have a reddish tint. The top part of each pepper is placed back on as a lid, slightly tilted. On one pepper at the front, a small black plastic spider sits on the lid. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and the background is blurred with white lace details. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra cheddar or some fresh chopped parsley right before serving—it adds a pop of freshness and color that contrasts beautifully with the orange peppers. A drizzle of sour cream or a dollop of guacamole on the side works wonders, too, especially if you added any spice to the filling.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or garlic roasted potatoes for a cozier meal. If you’re hosting a Halloween get-together, some warm crusty bread on the side helps mop up all those delicious juices.

Creative Ways to Present

For an extra festive touch, serve your Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers on a platter surrounded by autumn leaves or mini pumpkins. Kids love it when you make faces extra silly or spooky, and it makes the meal feel like a Halloween celebration without needing a recipe full of candy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover stuffed peppers in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll keep well for about 3 to 4 days. I usually line the container with paper towels underneath and on top to avoid moisture build-up, which preserves the peppers’ texture.

Freezing

These peppers freeze beautifully! I recommend freezing them unbaked with the filling already inside, wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. This way, you keep texture and flavor intact.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes covered with foil, to gently warm the filling and prevent drying. If you’re in a rush, a microwave on medium power for 2–3 minutes works, but the oven way gives the best texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use different kinds of peppers for this Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe?

    Absolutely! While orange bell peppers are perfect for their color and size, you can try red, yellow, or even green bell peppers. Just look for ones that are firm and have a nice, flat bottom so they can sit upright and hold the filling well.

  2. Is there a vegetarian or vegan version of this recipe?

    Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian or vegan by swapping out the ground turkey for cooked lentils, quinoa, or a plant-based meat substitute. Use vegan cheese or skip cheese altogether, and it’ll still be delicious and satisfying.

  3. How long should I bake the peppers if I want them softer?

    If you prefer your peppers softer, extend the baking time up to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t turn mushy, and add a little more water to the baking dish if it evaporates too quickly.

  4. Can I prepare these stuffed peppers ahead of time?

    Yes! You can stuff the peppers and assemble the dish a few hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Just add a couple minutes to the baking time if they come straight from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen every fall—not just for the fun of carving smiles into those bell peppers, but because it brings everyone together around the table for a warm, colorful meal. It’s easy enough for busy weeknights but festive enough to impress friends and family. I can’t wait for you to make your own batch, carve those silly faces, and enjoy the cozy, delicious flavors as much as I do. Give it a go—you’re going to love it!

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Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 39 reviews
  • Author: Taylor
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 minutes
  • Total Time: 39 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat
Print Recipe

Description

Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are a festive and delicious Halloween-inspired dish featuring orange bell peppers carved like jack-o’-lanterns and stuffed with a savory mixture of ground turkey, rice, black beans, and tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese.

Ingredients

Peppers

  • 8 orange bell peppers

Stuffing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 ¼ cups diced yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups white basmati rice, cooked according to package instructions
  • 15.5 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
  2. Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers. Using a small paring knife, carefully remove the ribs and seeds from inside each pepper. Cut jack-o’-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Then, place the peppers in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Cook Onions and Garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds while stirring continuously to avoid burning.
  4. Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until it is no longer pink.
  5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the cooked basmati rice, drained black beans, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the rice to start absorbing the sauce. Remove from heat.
  6. Stuff Peppers: Scoop a heaping amount of the rice and turkey mixture into each bell pepper until filled.
  7. Add Cheese Topping: Top each stuffed pepper with shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese.
  8. Add Water and Bake: Pour 1 ½ cups of water around the peppers in the bottom of the baking dish. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the peppers become tender but still hold their shape.

Notes

  • Substitute ground beef or ground chicken for ground turkey for different flavor variations.
  • Use long-grain white rice or jasmine rice if basmati is unavailable.
  • Add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini to the filling for extra nutrition and flavor.
  • Replace black beans with any other favorite beans like pinto or kidney beans.
  • Italian seasoning can be used instead of dried oregano and basil for a different herb profile.
  • Try different shredded cheeses such as pepper Jack for a spicier kick.
  • Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and quantities used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg

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