Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef – Carve Them Into Jack O’Lanterns for Halloween!
Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers are filled with an easy and tasty ground beef and veggie and mix topped with cheesy mashed potatoes. An alternative to the classic recipe since they are made without rice, they make an easy dinner recipe for any night of the year. But make them extra special when you carve those peppers like pumpkins to turn them into Jack O’Lantern Stuffed Peppers for Halloween.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission. All opinions are my own.
Did your mom make a special Halloween dinner for you when you were a kid? Yeah, me either. I mean, I was of the generation that went trick-or-treating on our way home from school. I stopped in to scramble to do any little bit of homework that any witchy teachers dared to assign on Halloween. Then it was back out with my friends to keep filling our bags with treats. In fact, as I got a bit older, my friends and I would just stop in for a slice at the local pizzeria.
I used to think these mummy hot dogs, spaghetti brains with eyeballs, and meatloaf zombies are all a product of the Pinterest era. And while it sometimes seems that all of these websites and blogs (like, ahem, mine) have created a wee bit of craziness, fun food for Halloween is something I am totally down with. I mean, Halloween is all about silliness and fun, with maybe a sprinkling of creepy and eery, just for good measure.
So if you want to order Chinese food or just have an Easy Family Pizza Night, that’s fine. But if digging into monster guts or ghoulish graveyards or spiderwebs gets you in the spirit, I say “Go for it!”
In fact, I think these may become a Halloween tradition in my house…
Halloween Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Vegetables
They may look and sound like a bit of work, but I promise you, this recipe is super easy and can even be prepared in advance. The simple filling is quick and easy. It is based on my favorite shepherds pie recipe that uses ground beef in a savory mixture with mixed vegetables and simple gravy. I’m not saying it is 100% authentic, but it is 100% delicious!
After filling the pepper, it is topped with some fluffy mashed potatoes. Healthy, naturally gluten free, and loaded with protein and veggies.
Come on, how can you resist? Especially when you carve cute or creepy faces into your orange bell peppers to make them look like jack o’ lanterns. And not only do they look awesome, but they also taste pretty awesome as well. Both of my boys happily devoured them, and they’ll fuel your little trick-or-treaters all over the neighborhood!
How do you make Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers?
- If you are making these for Halloween a little paring knife to carve some cute or creepy little faces into your orange bell peppers.
- Place cubes of potatoes in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender.
- Brown a pound of ground beef with onions and garlic.
- Add mixed veggies, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Simmer till thickened.
- Mash the potatoes with milk, Greek yogurt, and cheddar cheese.
- Fill the peppers with the meat mixture and top with mashed potatoes and more cheddar cheese.
- Bake until the peppers and tender and everything is heated through.
As cute as they are, you can definitely make these any time of the year without carving the jack o lantern faces. And while I prefer orange, red, or yellow peppers because they are sweeter, any of those or green bell peppers will work as well. They are quick to prepare, but for busy weeknights, you can even incorporate them into your meal prep plans over the weekend.
Can you make these in advance?
Yes, you have several options to make the stuffed peppers ahead of time and reheat them.
- Prepare the recipe entirely and bake it, then store it in the refrigerator or freezer. If frozen, be sure to thaw in the refrigerator. They can then be reheated in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Note that this will make the peppers a little softer so they may not hold the pumpkin shape as well.
- Prepare everything in advance, including stuffing the peppers and store it in the refrigerator without baking them. Then just bake before serving, but you may need to add another ten minutes or so to the bake time to ensure it is completely heated through.
- The meat mixture and mashed potatoes can also be made a day or two before and stored in the refirgerator, stuffing the peppers just before baking. You can even carve the peppers and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Again, this may require a bit longer in the oven.
Shepherds Pie Stuffed Peppers Recipe Tips
- Cut the tops off of the peppers horizontally about a half-inch from the top, then remove the seeds and membranes.
- For the full jack o’ lantern look, keep the tops to pop back on top of the peppers later.
- A small paring knife will help you carve the little jack o’lantern faces.
- As mentioned, you can skip the funny faces altogether to just make regular stuffed peppers any time of the year with any variety of bell pepper.
- To make this meal as fast as possible, cut the potatoes into small pieces so they boil quickly. While they come to a boil and cook, you can prepare the ground beef mixture. As that simmers, mash your potatoes.
- This recipe uses a very simple and basic mashed potato recipe. Kick up the flavor with cheesy mashed potatoes with bacon or cut the carbs with a cheesy cauliflower mash.
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What are more Halloween dinner recipes?
- Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce
- Fettuccine Pumpkin Cauliflower Alfredo
- Twice Baked Potato Mummies Covered with Roaches by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Halloween Baked Potato Skin Pizzas by Alida’s Kitchen
- Loaded Mashed Potato Spider Web Casserole by NeighborFood
- Jack O’Lantern Quesadillas from Big Bear’s Wife
- And don’t forget dessert. You can go with a fall favorite like no crust mini pumpkin pies. Or try one of these 20+ Halloween Recipes like Witches’ Brew Halloween Cupcakes
If you like this, here are some other ways to make Shepherd’s Pie
- You can divide the mixture into ramekins to make Individual Shepherd’s Pies.
- Don’t want to make mashed potatoes? Pile everything into some Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Potatoes.
- Or turn the recipe into a gameday snack by making Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Fries.
- Here are even more Creative Twists on Classic Shepherd’s Pie.
Jack O’Lantern Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Kids and kids-at-heart are going to love this fun Halloween dinner recipe. Carve some spooky or cute faces into orange bell peppers, and then fill them with a savory beef and vegetable mixture. Top with fluffy mashed potatoes and cheese then put the pepper tops back on top before baking for a deliciously ghoulish meal.
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on this pin on Pinterest!
Jack O'Lantern Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 4-6 orange peppers See Note*
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped (roughly 1/2 cup)
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced
- 3/4 cup tomato paste (one 6-ounce can)
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 4 cups frozen mixed vegetable medley, thawed (about two 10 oz. packages)
- 1 pound Idaho® russet potatoes peeled and cut into about 1 inch chunks
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Slice the top off of each of the peppers and reserve. Remove the seeds and, if desired, use a paring knife to carve a jack o'lantern face into each pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, breaking up the meat, until it is browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Add vegetables, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- While the meat is cooking, place the Idaho® potatoes and a pinch of salt into a pot of cold water, cover, and bring to boil. Remove cover and boil for 10-12 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and return to the pot, add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream, milk, and salt. With potato masher or hand mixer, mash to desired consistency.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Divide the meat mixture between the peppers, then top with the mashed Idaho® potatoes and remaining cheese, and place in a glass baking dish.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until heated through, peppers are tender and cheese and potatoes are slightly browned.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Patty says
How far in advance can I do these?
Having 40 people for a party…
Thank you ahead of time
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
You can definitely make these a day or two before and either bake them the day of the party or reheat them. You can also get the filling and potatoes prepared in advance and stuff the peppers right before baking.
Marcia says
These were so yummy! My son and his girlfriend were here unexpectedly, but there was plenty for all of us, with two left over. They were fun to make, and will be going into the year-round rotation, sans face carving, of course. 🙂
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I’m so happy to hear that you all enjoyed the recipe, Marcia!
Brittani says
These look amazing! What do you usually pair them with as a side?
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you, Brittani!
I like to serve them with a side garden salad or some fruit salad.
Cooking Mama says
Hello – I just found your site today … it is amazing! I LOVE your Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers. I have reposted onto my blog … and referred them back to you … hope you don’t mind … but I wanted to share the word of your great creativity! If you want me to remove … just let me know. Thanks again for sharing … I will be making them with my kids this Friday.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks for your kind words!
Jenn Tidwell says
Made this recipe tonight for my family, carved one of the peppers into a pumpkin for my 8-year-old. So yummy. Used ground turkey in place of the beef. Thanks for sharing!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Great idea to swap out the turkey! Glad you enjoyed them and had fun with them!
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I could totally see the orange ones as Jack-o-Lanterns and the green ones as Frankenstein monsters! Now I just have to come up with something for the red ones…
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Ooooh, love the Frankenstein idea! How about red devils?
Brenda Young says
Oh goodness, these are Adorbs! Nice filling too, pinning and making it this months board cover!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Oh wow, thanks!!
Susan says
These are cute! Plus I think they’d be delicious any time of year. I think I need to give it a go.
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Those are so cute! I don’t usually go for all the halloween food, but these are pretty awesome so I may have to make halloween food this year!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
These really are too hard to resist and your directions let me know just how easy they are to make!
Run DMT says
How adorably clever! Totally pinning this!
Family Foodie says
Brianne, adorable doesn’t even cut it – these are just too fun! I love Shepherd’s Pie and stuffed peppers … I’ll be making them. Boo! 😉
Katie says
Could these be any cuter?!?! Love that you carved jack o lantern faces into the peppers…fabulous!!!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
OhhEmmGeee to frickin’ adorable Brianne!! I have got to make these!
amy kim says
These are so creative…and healthy!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I can’t believe how great these turned out! They are so adorable, and I love the idea of putting Shepherd’s Pie in a stuffed pepper!
Shaina says
These pumpkins are awesome. You did such an amazing job at the cut-outs!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
These are so cute! And I adore shepherd’s pie, so I’d definitely scarf these down for Halloween!
Kimberly says
How cute are these “pumpkin” peppers … really, really cute!
And they sound so good as well … this is a great recipe for Halloween, and it’s also perfect any time of the year.
Love it!
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian says
I love these! What a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween for a party. And kids would love them!!!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
These are just the cutest! What a great idea.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
These are darling…uh…I mean…SPOOKY!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
What a fun treat for Halloween!
Jennifer Drummond says
All I can say is adorable! I love them! They turned out so cute!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
This are simply charming. Um, I mean spooky! Really, really great way to spookify potatoes.
Liz says
What a perfect idea for Halloween! And they get spookier as they cook…love these peppers!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
That is true. I didn’t cook these as long so they would hold up for photos, but they will get even wrinklier.
Alida says
You win the prize for creativity…your jack-o-lantern peppers are adorable. The cutest Shepherd’s pie I’ve ever seen! What a fun recipe!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks so much Alida! There is so much creativity this week!
Renee Dobbs says
So cute! Just so, so, so cute!!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Renee! This was fun!