Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers – Spooky Dinner for Kids

Introduction

Turn an ordinary dinner into wicked fun with Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers! These creative, kid-friendly stuffed peppers add a dose of Halloween magic to your table. With savory filling locked inside bright orange “pumpkins,” these playful treats are just as flavorful as they are festive. Perfect for family dinners, Halloween parties, or any night you want to serve something a little extra special, this recipe turns mealtime into a celebration.

Why Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are a Spooky Success

What sets these stuffed peppers apart is their irresistible presentation and crowd-pleasing flavors. Cutting fun faces into vibrant orange bell peppers transforms them into edible jack-o’-lanterns—guaranteed to spark smiles and get kids excited to eat their veggies. The hearty, customizable filling (think savory ground beef, rice, and tangy tomato sauce) ensures everyone leaves the table happy.

Crafting the Playful Stuffed Pepper Filling

For the best results, use a combination of lean ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey), cooked rice, and classic aromatics like onion and garlic. Tomato sauce adds moisture and rich flavor, while a sprinkle of cheese on top makes these peppers irresistible. Feel free to sneak in extra vegetables like corn, peas, or carrots for added nutrition and color—just chop them finely so they blend seamlessly into the filling.

Assembling Your Jack-O’-Lantern Peppers

Start by carefully carving out fun or spooky faces on the front of each bell pepper. Slice off the top and remove the seeds, then fill each pepper to the brim with your savory mixture. Top with shredded cheese before popping them into the oven, and don’t forget to place the “pepper lids” on for that authentic jack-o’-lantern look!

Serving Suggestions for a Frightfully Fun Dinner

Serve your Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers with a simple green salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal. For an extra Halloween vibe, use black olive “eyes” or arrange peppers on a platter garnished with curly kale to look like a pumpkin patch. This festive dish pairs wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or oven-baked sweet potato fries.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 4 stuffed peppers—one per serving. Each serving contains roughly 350-400 calories, depending on toppings and exact filling. They’re packed with protein, vegetables, and fiber—a wholesome dinner that feels like a treat.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment for easy cleanup.
2. Cut the tops off the orange bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Use a small knife to carve jack-o’-lantern faces into each pepper.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional vegetables. Cook for 2–3 more minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Spoon the filling into each pepper, packing it in gently. Sprinkle cheese generously over the top of each filled pepper.
6. Place peppers upright in the prepared baking dish. Put the reserved pepper tops back on as “lids.”
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy the spooky fun!

Weekly Meal Planning

Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are fantastic for weekly planning—they reheat well and keep their fun shape even after storing. Save and schedule this recipe so you can assign it to a busy weeknight and effortlessly generate a combined shopping list with other planned dinners.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically consolidates quantities for shared ingredients (think rice, cheese, or ground meat across dinners)
• Organizes your grocery list by store section, making shopping faster and easier
• Reduces duplicate purchases and food waste
• Keeps your week organized and stress-free

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to schedule multiple meals with overlapping ingredients—like using extra rice in a stir fry later in the week. The shopping list always updates to reflect the precise total needed for all your meals, saving time and ensuring you never forget a key ingredient.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Enjoy serving up this spooky, satisfying dinner—and making mealtime a memory!