Kids and adults alike will love these Halloween stuffed peppers! With funny faces and a savory filling, these come together as easily as my Greek stuffed tomatoes, but make a delicious dinner to eat before a night of trick or treating. Plus, jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers use simple ingredients that you can easily customize!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for stuffed Halloween peppers, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Orange Bell Peppers – Since these are jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers, the orange color helps them look more like pumpkins. However, any color will still work with the recipe!Olive Oil – I prefer to use extra virgin olive oil, but use any neutral cooking oil you like.Aromatics – Yellow onion and minced garlic. Any color onion can work. Although fresh minced garlic improves the flavor, you can also use jarred minced garlic to save time.Ground Turkey – If you prefer, you can easily substitute lean ground beef or ground chicken in your Halloween stuffed peppers.Cooked Rice – You can use conventional rice, brown rice, or even cooked cauliflower rice for a lower carb option.Black Beans – The flavor in black beans tastes great here, but you can easily swap in pinto beans, navy beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas (use the extra for my roasted chickpeas recipe!).Tomato Sauce – Not to be confused with marinara sauce! This is the plain canned sauce made from tomatoes only.Seasonings – Dried oregano, dried basil, sea salt, and black pepper.Shredded Cheddar Cheese – For added flavor and locking in moisture, so the filling doesn’t get too dry in the oven. You can use any shredded cheese you prefer, as long as it melts easily. You could also omit the cheese for a dairy-free option, but you may need a bit more tomato sauce or other liquid to avoid a dry filling.
How To Make Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
This section shows how to make stuffed jack-o-lantern peppers, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
Get creative with carving – Carve these “pumpkins” however you like! Be sure to leave enough room at the bottom to keep water from seeping in, and carve faces small enough to keep filling from spilling out.Add other veggies – Zucchini, carrots, peas, or any finely chopped vegetables would work well in the filling mixture. Use your favorites, just be sure they are cooked first.Re-purpose the filling – Got more filling left? Use it to stuff other vegetables, like zucchini, tomatoes, or mushrooms… or simply serve it as a side dish!Make jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers vegetarian – Replace meat with two 15-oz cans of beans (using a total of 3 cans, or 45 ounces, in the recipe). If preferred, substitute the meat for an equivalent amount of a meatless ground protein substitute.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Meal prep: You can prepare filling ahead of time for Halloween stuffed bell peppers and store until ready to use, or make filling and assemble peppers ahead of time. When ready, simply bake!Reheat: Heat in a microwave or 350 degree F oven, until hot.Freeze: Cool, cover, and store peppers in the freezer for 2-3 months. While you can bake them from frozen, it’s better to thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating, which will prevent overcooking.
What To Serve With Halloween Stuffed Peppers
If you make stuffed peppers for Halloween, try them alongside these easy dishes: If using cauliflower rice, it will absorb the sauce faster. The water added to the baking dish helps the peppers steam and soften.
Seasonal Salads – Brussels sprout salad, kale crunch salad, or broccoli cranberry salad would make delicious pairings with these peppers.Stovetop Vegetables – While peppers bake, use the stovetop to make a batch of sauteed mushrooms, sauteed cabbage, or sauteed zucchini.Easy Air Fryer Sides – Plate peppers with air fryer brussels sprouts, air fryer cauliflower, or air fryer broccoli.Healthy Halloween Treats – Sugar-free peanut butter cups or sugar-free gummy bears are both so fun!
More Healthy Stuffed Pepper Recipes
Stuffed peppers make one of the best easy and healthy dinners. Try these versions next! Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
