Description
Jack-o-lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun and festive Halloween recipe featuring orange bell peppers carved with spooky faces and filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, beans, corn, salsa, and cheese. Baked to perfection, these colorful peppers make a kid-friendly and delicious meal perfect for fall celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Bell Peppers
- 4-5 large orange bell peppers, with level bottoms for standing
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
Fillings
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can corn, rinsed and drained or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1 cup salsa, any favorite variety
Cheese
- 2 cups cheese, divided (cheddar and pepper jack recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash the bell peppers and carefully hollow them out by removing all seeds and membranes. Ensure they can stand upright on a lined baking sheet.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: Heat 1 teaspoon of EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground turkey or beef, breaking it up until it becomes crumbly. Add 1 teaspoon taco seasoning while the meat cooks for flavor.
- Add Fillings: Reduce heat to medium and stir in rinsed black beans, corn, salsa, and 1 cup of cheese. Combine everything thoroughly and keep warm on low heat.
- Carve the Jack-o-lantern Faces: Using a small knife, cut fun and spooky faces into the hollowed orange bell peppers. This can be a great activity for kids who are old enough to use knives safely.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the meat and bean mixture into each carved bell pepper, filling them evenly. Place the stuffed peppers upright on a baking sheet lined with foil or wax paper for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the filling to heat through and meld flavors.
- Add Extra Cheese: Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of each pepper. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this festive, fun, and flavorful dish perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or ground beef based on your preference or dietary needs.
- Adjust the taco seasoning amount to your desired spice level.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground meat with a plant-based crumble or extra beans.
- Make sure bell peppers have flat bottoms so they stand upright without tipping over during baking.
- Use a mix of cheddar and pepper jack cheese for a nice balance of sharp and spicy flavors.
- If kids participate in carving, supervise closely for safety.
- Leftover filling can be used as a taco filling or in burritos for another meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed bell pepper
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
