Halloween is just around the corner and we have decided to come up with a series that focuses on some great Halloween Food ideas.

In the first part of the series, we will be looking at the recipe for Mac-O-Lantern and Cheese Bowls. For making the recipe, you are going to need the following ingredients.

• Kosher salt
• 6 medium orange bell peppers
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 ounces mild Cheddar, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)

Now, these ingredients are for six servings and it can take you around 40 minutes to prepare this recipe.

How to make it

To prepare the Mac-O-Lantern and Cheese Bowls, you need to do the following:

• Boil a large pot of generously salted water. Fill another bowl with ice water.
• Cut the tops off and remove the seeds and membranes of the peppers. Then put the peppers into the boiling water and cook for two-three minutes. After this, put these peppers into the ice bath.
• After they are cool, take them out and use a sharp knife to carve a jack-o-lantern face into one side.
• Boil the water again and add the macaroni.
• Cook for about 6 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain. Avoid rinsing the pasta. 
• Heat the half-and-half in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer.
• Continue simmering until reduced to about 3/4 cup.
• Add the cream cheese and stir until it is melted. Whisk in the Cheddar until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Take the saucepan out of the heat and add the macaroni to the saucepan and stir to combine.
• Stir in some of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
• If you want, season with salt if needed.
• Let sit for 10 minutes, then divide the mac and cheese among the peppers and cap each with a pepper top.

So will you be preparing this recipe for Halloween? Let us know in the comments below. Also, tune in for the next part of the series.