Inspired by: @iszy
Get ready to transform your dinner into a festive Halloween treat! These easy vegan Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers offer a delightful and wholesome twist on a classic comfort food. Perfect for a family meal or a spooky gathering, this recipe is designed to be straightforward, delicious, and appealing to everyone – even the pickiest eaters.
Stuffed peppers are a beloved staple, and as abillion user @iszy shared, they were "one of the first recipes I veganized" because they're so adaptable and consistently a hit. Many in the abillion community agree, with users like @username exclaiming, "So tasty and filling!" and another adding, "These are the cutest!!" The magic of carving little faces into the bright orange bell peppers adds a playful element that’s hard to resist.
Whether you're looking for quick Halloween dinner ideas, a hearty plant-based meal, or an easy recipe that can be made ahead, these festive stuffed peppers tick all the boxes. They're naturally dairy-free, and we'll show you how to easily make them gluten-free too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fun & Festive: The carved faces turn a simple dinner into a Halloween spectacle.
- Effortlessly Vegan: Uses readily available plant-based ingredients for a hearty, satisfying meal.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt for different tastes or dietary needs, including a simple gluten-free option.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A classic comfort food reinvented for a special occasion, loved by kids and adults alike. As one abillion user commented, "Stuffed peppers are a classic! What could be better on a chilly day? These look incredible."
Ingredients
- 8 orange bell peppers
- 1 package of Trader Joe's beefless ground (or use ground tofu, lentils, Gardein, or Beyond Meat for a gluten-free recipe)
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Enough pasta sauce to coat filling (approx. 3/4 of a jar)
- Italian seasoning to taste
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Vegan mozzarella, parmesan, or feta for topping (optional - links generic vegan cheese as specific vegan parmesan/feta not in dict)
Equipment
- Large pot for rice
- Large skillet or pan
- Sharp paring knife
- Baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the rice according to package directions.
- While the rice is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil (optional) and sauté the chopped onions until they become translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the beefless ground (or your chosen alternative) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Once the rice is done, add it to the skillet with the onion and "meat" mixture.
- Season the mixture generously with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in enough pasta sauce to thoroughly coat all of the filling, ensuring it remains moist during baking. About 3/4 of a standard jar should do the trick.
- Carefully cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Using a sharp paring knife, carve fun Jack-o'-Lantern faces into the front of each pepper. Get creative with different expressions!
- Fill each carved pepper generously with the prepared filling.
- If desired, top each filled pepper with your favorite shredded vegan cheese.
- Arrange the filled peppers in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
Variations & Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by using ground tofu, lentils, or a certified gluten-free plant-based ground meat alternative.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for an extra kick.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in finely diced mushrooms, zucchini, or corn to the filling for added nutrients and texture.
- Cheesy Goodness: Experiment with different types of vegan cheese for the topping. Smoked vegan gouda or a creamy vegan cream cheese swirl could be delicious!
- Different Flavors: For a Mexican twist, swap Italian seasoning and pasta sauce for taco seasoning and salsa.
Tips & Hacks for the Perfect Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
- Easy Carving: A small, sharp paring knife is key for carving the faces. For younger helpers, draw the faces on the peppers with a food-safe marker first, then let adults do the cutting.
- Tender Peppers: If you prefer very soft bell peppers, you can par-bake them for 10-15 minutes before filling. This helps soften them quickly.
- Meal Prep Friendly: The filling can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This makes assembly quick and easy on a busy Halloween evening.
- No Waste: Don't throw away the pepper tops! Chop them up and sauté them with the onions and garlic to add more vegetable goodness to your filling.
These easy vegan Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers are more than just a meal; they're a fun culinary experience that brings a smile to everyone's face. They're a perfect example of how delicious and creative plant-based eating can be, especially during the festive season.
Give these adorable Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers a try this Halloween! We'd love to see your creations. Share your spooky culinary masterpieces with the abillion community and inspire others!
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