Maya Chen
Carved orange peppers stuffed with a savory blend of rice, black beans, salsa, and cheese—super festive, healthy, and family friendly for Halloween night!
Recipe Snapshot
- 🍽️ Serves: 4
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 40 minutes
- 💰 Cost Estimate: $3.00 per serving
Clever Tip:
Carve the peppers ahead for a Halloween party and let guests fill their own “jack-o’-lanterns!”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and fun centerpiece for any Halloween dinner or party
- Filled with nutritious, budget-friendly ingredients
- Great for meal prep and reheats perfectly
- Kids love creating their own “faces”—just like pumpkin carving!
Ingredient Notes
- Orange bell peppers: For classic jack-o’-lantern look
- Cooked rice: Brown or white, or use quinoa for extra protein
- Black beans: For heartiness, fiber, and color contrast
- Salsa: Adds big flavor without much work
- Cheddar cheese: Melty, savory topping
- Optional: jalapeño, corn, ground meat or turkey for variety
Ingredients
- ▢ 4 orange bell peppers
- ▢ 1 cup cooked rice
- ▢ 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- ▢ 1/2 cup salsa
- ▢ 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1/2 tsp cumin
- ▢ Salt & pepper, to taste
- ▢ Optional: corn, jalapeño, ground turkey or beef
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
- Use a small knife to carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into each pepper.
- In a bowl, mix rice, black beans, salsa, half of the cheese, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon filling into each pepper. Place in a baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve hot—enjoy the spooky reveal!
Helpful Tips
- Carve slowly and carefully for best effect
- Use coloring or paint on stems for extra pumpkin look
- Make vegetarian or add your favorite ground meat
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Roast peppers for a few minutes before filling if you prefer softer texture
- Add rice last so mixture doesn’t get watery
- Let cool a bit before serving so peppers hold their shape
Meal Prep & Freezing Tips
- Prep Ahead: Stuff & carve peppers a day in advance; bake same day
- Storage: Leftovers keep 4 days in fridge, reheat gently in oven
- Freezing: Freeze stuffed, unbaked peppers; thaw and bake as directed
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I meal prep these? Absolutely! Assemble and chill until baking
- How spicy can I make them? Add jalapeños or hot salsa for heat
- Freeze after baking? Yes, but texture better from unbaked
- Gluten-free? Yes—as written
Conclusion
Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are a festive, healthy, and crowd-pleasing Halloween dinner—make magic for your table tonight!
Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Carved orange peppers stuffed with a savory blend of rice, black beans, salsa, and cheese—super festive, healthy, and family friendly for Halloween night!
Ingredients
- 4 orange bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional:
- corn, jalapeño, ground turkey or beef
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
- Use a small knife to carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into each pepper.
- In a bowl, mix rice, black beans, salsa, half of the cheese, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon filling into each pepper. Place in a baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve hot—enjoy the spooky reveal!
Notes
Clever Tip:
Carve the peppers ahead for a Halloween party and let guests fill their own “jack-o’-lanterns!”
- Carve slowly and carefully for best effect
- Use coloring or paint on stems for extra pumpkin look
- Make vegetarian or add your favorite ground meat
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Roast peppers for a few minutes before filling if you prefer softer texture
- Add rice last so mixture doesn’t get watery
- Let cool a bit before serving so peppers hold their shape
