Elevate your Halloween dinner from spooky to spectacular with these Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Bell Peppers! This recipe takes the beloved comfort of classic stuffed peppers and gives it a fun, festive makeover that both kids and adults will adore. By carving classic jack-o’-lantern faces into orange bell peppers and stuffing them with a savory, hearty beef filling, you create an edible centerpiece that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. The secret ingredient? Cubed whole wheat bread creates a uniquely tender and flavorful stuffing that soaks up all the delicious juices.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 6 orange bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 4 slices whole wheat bread, cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ¼ cup prepared yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Step-by-step instructions for making the recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 11×17-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish with cooking spray or a light coating of oil. This prevents any sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly mix together the ground beef, egg, cubed whole wheat bread, chopped onion, diced tomato, minced garlic, chili sauce, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a fork to combine, but be careful not to overmix, as this can make the beef filling tough.
- Wash the orange bell peppers thoroughly. Using a small, sharp paring knife, carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into one side of each pepper. Classic triangle eyes and noses with a pointy-toothed smile work best for both effect and structural integrity.
- Slice off the very top of each pepper (stem included) to create a lid. Reach inside each pepper to scoop out and discard all the seeds and the white core, creating a hollow cavity for the stuffing.
- Stuff the beef mixture lightly into the carved peppers. Do not pack the filling too tightly, as it needs room to expand as it cooks. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the prepared baking dish, leaning them against each other for support to prevent them from falling over during baking.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour. The peppers are done when they are tender and slightly wrinkled, and the internal temperature of the beef stuffing has reached 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The filling should be cooked through and juicy.
- Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the peppers rest in the dish for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed, making them easier to handle and even more flavorful.
Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Bell Peppers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 11×17-inch baking dish.
- Lightly mix together ground beef, egg, bread cubes, onion, tomato, garlic, chili sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.1 pound ground beef, 1 egg, 4 slices whole wheat bread, 1 small onion, 1 small tomato, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup chili sauce, 1/4 cup prepared yellow mustard, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Wash peppers, and cut jack-o’-lantern faces into peppers with a sharp paring knife, making triangle eyes and noses, and pointy-teeth smiles.6 orange bell peppers
- Slice off tops of peppers, and scoop out seeds and cores.6 orange bell peppers
- Stuff peppers lightly with beef stuffing, and place them into the prepared baking dish so they lean against each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven until peppers are tender and the stuffing is cooked through and juicy, about 1 hour.
FAQ
Can I use a different color of bell pepper?
While orange bell peppers are essential for the authentic jack-o’-lantern look, you can use red or yellow peppers if orange are unavailable. The flavor will be very similar, though the Halloween effect will be slightly different.
What can I substitute for the whole wheat bread?
You can use an equal amount of any bread you have on hand, such as white, sourdough, or gluten-free bread. The bread cubes act as a binder and texture component, and most types will work well.
Is there a substitute for the chili sauce?
Ketchup mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar and a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes can be used as a substitute for chili sauce in a pinch. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I prepare these stuffed peppers ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the peppers up to a day in advance. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold dish.