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Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack O’ Lanterns on wooden board

Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack O’ Lanterns

sam
These adorable jack-o’-lantern stuffed bell peppers are the perfect cozy, gluten-free Halloween dinner idea. They’re filled with a savory mix of rice, veggies, and protein, and carved for a festive twist that kids and adults both love!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Sharp paring knife for carving jack-o’-lantern faces
  • skillet for sautéing vegetables and making filling
  • spoon for scooping out seeds
  • baking dish for baking the stuffed peppers
  • aluminum foil for covering peppers while baking

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large orange bell peppers
  • 1 cup cooked jasmine or basmati rice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 zucchini, finely chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, diced
  • 1/2 cup cooked lentils or ground meat substitute (or ground turkey/chicken)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or dairy-free alternative

Instructions
 

  • Cut the tops off each bell pepper and scoop out the seeds and membranes.
    Using a small sharp knife, carefully carve jack-o’-lantern faces into each pepper.
  • In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
    Add zucchini and mushrooms, cooking until soft. Stir in cooked lentils, tomato sauce, rice, and seasoning. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Fill each carved pepper with the warm filling. Top with shredded cheese. Place in a baking dish and cover loosely with foil.
    Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until peppers are tender. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Notes

Make these ahead by prepping the filling and stuffing the peppers the day before. For a softer texture, add 1/4 cup water to the baking dish and cover tightly. Let kids help scoop and draw carving designs for a fun family activity.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 11gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 580mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 3300IUVitamin C: 190mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2.1mg
Keyword fall recipe, gluten-free, Halloween dinner, stuffed peppers
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