Turn dinner into a little Halloween fun with these Halloween stuffed peppers. Orange bell peppers are carved into simple jack-o’-lantern faces, then filled with a warm, savory taco mixture made with seasoned ground beef, rice, salsa, and cheese. They look festive enough for a Halloween party but are easy enough to make for a family dinner before trick-or-treating.
The best part is that you do not need complicated ingredients or fancy cooking skills. The peppers do most of the decorating for you. Give each one a different face, pile in the taco filling, add a little cheese, and let the oven do the rest.
Halloween Stuffed Peppers Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Orange bell peppers | 6 medium |
| Ground beef | 1 pound |
| Cooked rice | 2 cups |
| Taco seasoning | 2 teaspoons |
| Taco sauce | 1/2 cup |
| Salsa | 1/2 cup, optional |
| Shredded Mexican-style cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Olive oil | 1 teaspoon, if needed |
Also Read: Healthy Pumpkin Bread
How to Make Halloween Stuffed Peppers
1. Prepare the Peppers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash the peppers and slice off the tops, keeping the tops aside if you want to use them as little jack-o’-lantern lids. Remove the seeds and white membranes from inside each pepper.
2. Carve the Jack-o’-Lantern Faces
Use a small, sharp paring knife to carefully cut simple eyes, a nose, and a mouth into the front of each pepper. Keep the shapes fairly large because tiny cuts can become difficult to see once the peppers soften in the oven. You do not have to make every face perfect—slightly crooked smiles actually make them more fun.
3. Cook the Taco Meat
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is completely browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary. Stir in the taco seasoning and taco sauce, then cook for another minute or two so the flavors come together.
4. Make the Filling
Add the cooked rice to the seasoned beef and stir well. Mix in the salsa if you like a little extra moisture and tomato flavor. Taste the filling and add a little more taco seasoning or salsa if needed.
5. Fill the Peppers
Arrange the carved peppers upright in a baking dish. If they wobble, place them close together so they support one another. Spoon the taco-and-rice mixture into each pepper, filling them generously but leaving a little room near the top.
6. Bake
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the filling, and return the peppers to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese has melted.
7. Serve
Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving. Place the pepper tops back on for an extra jack-o’-lantern look, or serve them alongside the stuffed peppers. Salsa, sour cream, avocado, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños are all good toppings.
Also Read: Gluten Free Apple Tart
What You Can Do Better
Choose peppers that can stand upright. Look for peppers with a fairly flat bottom. This makes stuffing and baking much easier.
Keep the faces simple. Large triangle eyes and a wide mouth are easier to carve and remain recognizable after cooking. Avoid cutting too many small details.
Use leftover rice. This recipe is a great way to use cooked rice from the refrigerator. White, brown, cilantro, or Spanish-style rice can all work.
Make them spicier. Add chopped jalapeño, a pinch of cayenne, hot salsa, or extra taco seasoning to the filling if your family likes heat.
Try ground turkey. Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef if you prefer a lighter filling.
Make them vegetarian. Replace the meat with black beans, pinto beans, corn, and extra rice. You can also add sautéed onions and diced tomatoes for a heartier filling.
Do not overcook the peppers. They should be tender enough to eat easily but still sturdy enough to hold their filling. Check them toward the end of baking rather than relying only on the clock.
Serving Ideas
These Halloween stuffed peppers are filling enough to serve as a main dish. For a Halloween dinner, pair them with a simple green salad, tortilla chips and salsa, or roasted corn. A spoonful of guacamole or sour cream on the side also works nicely with the taco flavors.
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover stuffed peppers to cool, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They are best eaten within 3 to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave for a quick meal or in a covered baking dish in the oven until warmed through. The peppers may become softer after reheating, but the filling will still be tasty.
Also Read: French Onion Pasta
Halloween Stuffed Peppers Nutrition
The following nutrition estimate is approximate and will vary depending on the type of beef, rice, cheese, taco sauce, and salsa used.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Total Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugars | 8 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates only and can change considerably with different brands and ingredient quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Halloween stuffed peppers ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the taco filling and carve the peppers several hours ahead. Keep both refrigerated separately, then assemble and bake when you are ready.
Can I use different colored peppers?
Absolutely. Orange peppers give the strongest pumpkin-like appearance, but yellow and red bell peppers can also be carved into Halloween faces.
Can I make these without cheese?
Yes. Simply leave off the cheese or use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese. The taco filling will still be flavorful without it.
Can I use cooked chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes. Shredded cooked chicken works well. Toss it with the taco sauce and seasoning before combining it with the rice.
