Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins – Festive Halloween Recipe
Halloween is not just about candy, spooky costumes, and haunted decorations—it’s also a perfect time to bring creativity to the dinner table. One of the most festive, fun, and family-friendly dishes you can prepare is Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins. These little edible jack-o’-lanterns combine the comforting flavors of cheesy pizza with the autumnal charm of roasted mini pumpkins.
This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an activity that gets everyone involved. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, preparing a fun dinner for the kids, or simply wanting to celebrate the season in style, pizza-stuffed pumpkins are guaranteed to impress.
🎃 Why Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins?
- Festive Presentation: Using hollowed mini pumpkins as edible bowls creates an eye-catching Halloween vibe.
- Customizable Flavors: Just like regular pizza, you can fill these with your favorite toppings—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, or keep it vegetarian.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Children love carving the little pumpkins, stuffing them with fillings, and watching them transform in the oven.
- Nutritious with a Twist: Pumpkins provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making this indulgent recipe slightly healthier.
🛒 Ingredients
- 4–6 small sugar pumpkins (about 1 lb each)
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices (or turkey pepperoni)
- 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- ½ cup diced red onions
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Olive oil for brushing
- Salt and pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the pumpkins: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off each pumpkin and scoop out seeds and stringy pulp. Lightly season the inside with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pre-bake pumpkins: Place hollowed pumpkins on a baking tray and bake for 20–25 minutes until slightly tender but still firm.
- Prepare filling: In a large bowl, mix pizza sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and spices).
- Stuff pumpkins: Fill each pre-baked pumpkin generously with the pizza mixture. Top with extra mozzarella and a few pepperoni slices for garnish.
- Final bake: Return stuffed pumpkins to oven and bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh oregano and serve hot as a spooky, festive main dish.
Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins
Mini pumpkins stuffed with cheesy pizza filling, baked until golden and festive for Halloween dinners or parties.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut tops off pumpkins and scoop out seeds and pulp.
- Season inside of pumpkins with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20–25 minutes until slightly tender.
- Mix pizza sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, oregano, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
- Fill each pumpkin with the mixture and top with extra cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Bake stuffed pumpkins for another 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with oregano and serve hot.
Notes
Carve little jack-o’-lantern faces into pumpkins before stuffing for an extra spooky Halloween touch.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Pair with garlic breadsticks or a fresh green salad.
- Serve as individual portions for Halloween parties.
- Carve little jack-o’-lantern faces into the pumpkins before baking for extra spooky fun.
