Taco Stuffed Jack-o'-lanterns

The internet is packed with creative food ideas for Halloween night.

Some are a frightful delight. 

And then...

there are others that are just downright creepy. You know the ones... 


like the guacamole barfing pumpkins... 


and the skeletons with hot dog intestines...


or the blood-shot eyeball hard-boiled eggs - Eew! 


They get worse and quite possibly require a few shots of something devilishly strong to even consider eating.

This Halloween don’t scare your family and friends with ghoulish fare, treat them to a G-rated dinner approved for all ages.

These wickedly cute Taco Stuffed Jack-o’-lanterns substitute fresh bell peppers for taco shells. 


Stuffed with spicy beef, black beans and brown rice, they are a perfect when there’s no time to fix dinner before the kiddos head out for the evening. 

Assemble them the night before, then pop them in the oven while everyone’s getting into costume.

Happy Halloween from my haunted kitchen to yours.

Taco Stuffed Jack-o’-lanterns

4 servings

4 orange bell peppers

1 pound ground round

1/4 cup red onion, diced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup cooked brown rice

15-ounce can black beans, drained

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Heat oven to 350 F.

Wash peppers. Slice off the tops and set them aside. Scoop out seeds and ribs. With a paring knife, carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the sides of peppers. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is no longer pink. Drain.

In the same skillet, heat oil over medium and cook garlic 1 to 2 minutes. Return beef mixture to skillet. Stir in cooked rice, black beans, chile powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese over mixture and fold in.

Fill carved peppers with beef mixture. Place tops back on.

Place peppers, standing up in a glass baking dish. Add a 1/2 cup of water to the dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape.