Print

Quick Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers – Easy Halloween Dinner

jack-o-lantern stuffed bell peppers - featured image
Print Recipe

These quick jack-o-lantern stuffed bell peppers are a fun and festive Halloween dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. With a creamy, cheesy sausage filling and adorable carved faces, they turn an ordinary weeknight into a mini celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground spicy Italian sausage
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers: Wash and dry the peppers. Using a sharp paring knife, cut the tops off each pepper—about 1/2 inch from the top. Set the tops aside. Carefully scoop out all the seeds and white membranes from inside each pepper.
  3. Carve the jack-o-lantern faces: Using your paring knife, cut small triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into the front of each pepper. Make sure the cuts go all the way through the pepper wall.
  4. Cook the filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground spicy Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, until the onion is soft.
  5. Combine the filling: Transfer the cooked sausage mixture to a mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated.
  6. Stuff the peppers: Place the carved peppers upright in a baking dish. Divide the filling evenly among the peppers, packing it in gently. Top each pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. Add the broth and bake: Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the baking dish (not over the peppers). Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove the foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t over-bake the peppers; they should be tender but still hold their shape. Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Cut the faces after cleaning the peppers to avoid tearing. Watch your fingers when carving—bell peppers are round and slippery. For a complete meal, serve with a simple green salad or roasted broccoli.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, Halloween dinner, jack-o-lantern peppers, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight dinner, festive dinner, cream cheese stuffed peppers

Find it online: https://evabake.com/quick-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-easy-halloween-dinner/