Spooky Stuffed Jack-o'-Lantern Bell Peppers
Vibrant orange bell peppers carved into festive jack-o'-lanterns and stuffed with savory lean beef, quinoa, and black beans. A festive, high-protein family meal that is completely gluten-free and sugar-free.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Candice + Lila
Candice created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance; assemble fully, cover tight, and store in the refrigerator before baking.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and light grease a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) bakin…
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 11 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and…
- 01
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and…
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and light grease a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Cut off the top stem area of…
Cut off the top stem area of the orange bell pepper and carefully scoop out the seeds and inner ribs using a spoon.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 03
Sharp paring knife
Using a small, sharp paring knife, gently carve a jack-o'-lantern face (triangle eyes and a spooky smile) onto one side of the bell pepper.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Heat olive oil in a skillet over…
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
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Add diced onion and minced garlic clove…
Add diced onion and minced garlic clove to the skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Look for: softened and translucent
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Add lean ground beef to the skillet…
Add lean ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Look for: no pink remains and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C)
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Stir in cooked quinoa
Stir in cooked quinoa, black beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Look for: thoroughly mixed and heated through
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Spoon the beef and quinoa filling into…
Spoon the beef and quinoa filling into the carved bell pepper until stuffed to the top, then sprinkle optional shredded cheddar cheese over the opening.
Look for: stuffed to the top, then sprinkle optional shredded cheddar cheese over the opening
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Place the stuffed pepper into the prepared…
Place the stuffed pepper into the prepared baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 25 minutes until the pepper is tender when pierced with a fork.
Look for: the pepper is tender when pierced with a fork
Tap card to mark done - 10
Remove foil and bake uncovered for an…
Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Look for: the cheese is melted and bubbling
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Cool for 5 minutes before serving
Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Allow: 5 minutes
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