Spooky Savings: How to Carve Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers on a Budget

Halloween is usually all about the costumes and haunted houses, but this year let’s put a culinary twist on the spooky season. These Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are not just fun—they’re surprisingly easy on the wallet and pack a festive punch. Plus, they make adorable centerpieces that double as dinner.

What makes this recipe really stand out is its blend of playful presentation and wholesome ingredients. You get the satisfaction of creating something artsy without a mountain of dishes. It’s perfect for a quick family meal or a spooky party snack that costs less than a dollar per serving.

This twist on stuffed peppers turns ordinary into extraordinary, with bright orange peppers hollowed out and carved like tiny lanterns. Beneath their happy faces lurks a savory, cheesy filling that melds comfort with a dash of chaos. It’s a clever way to serve up nutritious veggies with a giggle-inducing surprise inside.

Jack-o’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

This dish features orange bell peppers hollowed out and carved into jack-o’-lantern faces, roasted until tender. They are filled with a savory, cheesy mixture that melts slightly during baking, creating a festive and visually appealing presentation with a warm, cheesy interior.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 orange bell peppers large and sturdy for carving
• 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa for stuffing
• 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or a blend
• ½ cup diced cooked chicken or black beans optional protein
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for freshness
• to taste salt and pepper seasoning to preference
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for roasting

Equipment

• Chef’s knife
• Baking sheet
• Spoon
• Small paring knife
• Mixing bowl
• Cooking brush

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the peppers and scoop out the seeds and membranes carefully with a spoon to create a hollow shell.
2. Using a small paring knife, carve fun Halloween faces into the front of each pepper, creating eyes, a nose, and a mouth for that festive jack-o’-lantern look.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice or quinoa, shredded cheese, diced chicken or black beans, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended; this will be your stuffing.
4. Stuff each carved pepper with the savory mixture, pressing it down gently to fill all the cavity without overstuffing.
5. Place the stuffed peppers upright on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the outside of each pepper lightly with olive oil to help them roast evenly and develop a slight sheen.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. The carved faces may soften but should retain their shape.
7. Remove the peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm, allowing the cheesy interior to ooze slightly through the carved faces, creating a festive and tasty presentation.

Notes

For extra fun, you can add small bits of cheese to make the carved faces more expressive before baking.

Don’t be surprised if these little lanterns become a family tradition; they’re a fun, easy way to add a dash of spooky cheer to any October evening. Keep your kitchen playful and your ingredients fresh—this recipe proves that festive doesn’t mean complicated. Happy haunting and happy eating!