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Dinner in a Pumpkin

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A fun family tradition for Halloween, this Dinner in a Pumpkin is a delicious rice-based casserole baked inside a pumpkin.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 6
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium-sized pumpkin (a basketball size)
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼-1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
  • 1 (4 or 8 ounce) can sliced mushrooms or 1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
  • 2-3 cups cooked rice
  • Chow mein noodles for topping (optional)

Method
 

  1. Wash the pumpkin.
  2. Cut out a lid at a slant and clean out the pulp and seeds.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  5. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onions with ¼ tsp salt (add fresh mushrooms if using).
  6. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, cream of chicken soup, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. Let boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the cooked rice until well combined.
  8. Place the cleaned-out pumpkin on the prepared baking sheet and spoon the mixture into it.
  9. Put the lid on the pumpkin, securing with toothpicks if necessary.
  10. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the inside of the pumpkin is cooked.
  11. Check doneness by inserting a fork into the pumpkin flesh; if soft, it's done.
  12. Let cool before serving; spoon out filling with pumpkin and top with chow mein noodles if desired.

Notes

Adding brown sugar to the mixture balances the savory flavors of the beef and onions with a touch of sweetness, enhancing the overall depth of the dish. This sweet-savory combination creates a more complex flavor profile and helps to caramelize the ingredients, resulting in a rich and satisfying filling.

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