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Kid-Approved Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers: Easy Halloween Dinner

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These fun and festive stuffed bell peppers are carved like jack-o-lanterns and filled with a savory rice, black bean, corn, and cheese mixture. Perfect for a Halloween dinner that kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large orange bell peppers (squat and round)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (or white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1/2 cup diced onion (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • Small pieces of black olive or bell pepper scraps (for pupils, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash the bell peppers. Using a paring knife, cut a small circle around the stem of each pepper to create a 1-inch wide ‘lid’. Gently pull the stem out and scoop out all seeds and membranes. Rinse inside and pat dry.
  3. Carve small triangle eyes and a jagged mouth into the front of each pepper, cutting all the way through. Optionally, insert small slivers of black olive or pepper scraps for pupils.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, black beans, corn, onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, and salsa. Mix well.
  5. Stand the carved peppers in a 9×13 inch baking dish. If they wobble, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to make them flat. Fill each pepper with the rice mixture, packing gently but firmly.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the tops. Place the stem ‘hats’ back on. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Choose squat, round peppers so they sit flat. Don’t over-bake or the faces will sag. Thaw and drain frozen corn to avoid watery filling. Can be assembled up to a day ahead; add 10 minutes to baking time if cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, Halloween dinner, kid-friendly, vegetarian, easy dinner, jack-o-lantern peppers

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/kid-approved-jack-o-lantern-stuffed-bell-peppers-easy-halloween-dinner/