Cheeseburger Jack-O-Lantern Peppers

Introduction

Cheeseburger Jack-O-Lantern Peppers are the ultimate way to add some spooky fun to your dinner table—without sacrificing flavor! Imagine the savory satisfaction of a cheeseburger, but stuffed inside a tender, sweet bell pepper that’s been carved into a playful Halloween jack-o-lantern face. It’s a cheerful, family-friendly meal that tastes as good as it looks, perfect for themed gatherings, weeknight dinners, or getting little ones excited about their veggies.

Why Cheeseburger Jack-O-Lantern Peppers Are a Must-Try

This recipe is a winner because it transforms classic cheeseburger flavors into a wholesome, oven-baked meal. The combination of juicy ground beef, cheddar cheese, and all your favorite burger fixings is nestled inside a naturally sweet bell pepper—but the real magic happens when you carve creative faces into the peppers before stuffing and baking. It’s fast, simple, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the dinner table.

How to Carve & Prep Your Jack-O-Lantern Peppers

Start by choosing large, firm orange bell peppers (yellow or red work too). Using a small, sharp paring knife, carefully cut the top off each pepper and remove seeds and membranes. Gently carve silly or spooky faces into the peppers’ sides—triangles for eyes, zig-zags for mouths, or whatever your imagination inspires. These fun jack-o-lantern shapes add loads of personality without adding fuss.

Building the Cheeseburger Filling

The stuffing is where all the classic cheeseburger flavors come together. Brown ground beef with garlic and onions, then toss in ketchup, mustard, chopped pickles, and a little Worcestershire sauce for a flavor lift. Finish by stirring in shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melty and irresistible. Spoon the filling into each carved pepper, nestle them upright in a baking dish, and sprinkle extra cheese on top for that gooey cheeseburger “wow.”

Serving Suggestions for Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Pair your cheeseburger peppers with oven-baked fries, a side of crisp salad, or roasted sweet potatoes for a balanced meal. For a festive touch, serve with a side of spicy ketchup or a creamy burger sauce for dipping. It’s the perfect main course for a fall-themed dinner, Halloween party, or family movie night!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and provides a balanced mix of protein, veggies, and cheese. Each pepper contains roughly 350–400 calories, depending on ingredient choices and optional toppings. It’s a satisfying, lower-carb take on burger night—plus, built-in portion control!

Cheeseburger Jack-O-Lantern Peppers (Recap)

These stuffed peppers blend the comfort of a cheeseburger with the festive look of jack-o-lanterns. Easy to prep ahead, fun to carve, and deliciously satisfying, they’re a surefire hit with kids and adults alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment or lightly coat with cooking spray.
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Use a paring knife to carve jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in ketchup, mustard, chopped pickles, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Mix in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until just melted and incorporated.
6. Fill each pepper with the beef mixture. Place stuffed peppers upright in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle extra cheese on top of each pepper.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. If desired, serve with favorite burger toppings (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, extra pickles), either inside the pepper or on the side.

Weekly Meal Planning

Cheeseburger Jack-O-Lantern Peppers are ideal for prepping ahead—simply fill and carve your peppers, pop them in the fridge, and bake when ready! Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to generate a smart shopping list that combines only what you need for all your planned meals—no forgotten ingredients or duplicate purchases.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredients needed across all planned recipes
• Groups shopping lists by grocery section for smoother trip flows
• Reduces food waste by preventing ingredient overbuying
• Makes weeknight dinners less stressful and more enjoyable

Pro tip: Plan other meals featuring ground beef, cheese, or peppers, and CookifyAI will optimize your shopping list quantities—no guesswork needed!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes