It’s Halloween: If you’re lucky enough *not* to be chaperoning a gang of candy-seeking, costumed children, you’re probably making dinner plans. And whether your night involves burrowing into the couch with a spooky movie or hosting a low-key (and socially distant) dinner party with your fellow non-trick-or-treaters, we’ve got 35 Halloween dinner ideas that are festive, seasonal and scary-delicious. Need a few more menu ideas? We’ve got you covered with spooky Halloween cocktails to serve and Halloween desserts that will round out your meal.
While everyone else is out trick-or-treating, you’ll be lounging on the couch with a big bowl of this homemade gnocchi (and a glass of wine).
Tonight is all about staying cozy. This hearty, healthy dinner will do just fine.
After all, it is squash season.
Skip the subpar takeout pizza (talk about spooky ) and make this homemade version instead. It’s cheesy, spicy and—best of all—ready in 30 minutes flat.
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This soup has not one but two tricks up its sleeve: store-bought biscuit dough and your trusty Crock-Pot.
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This is to offset all the Halloween candy we’ll inevitably eat in the upcoming days (or weeks).
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This recipe is all about maximum flavor and minimum effort, so naturally it takes just 30 minutes to whip up. Psst: Use pre-chopped squash to make it even easier.
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We think we just found the easiest Halloween dinner in the history of ever—the veggies and chicken steam in their packets, so the parchment does all the hard work. Even better, the cleanup is a breeze.
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Beef stew, but make it fancy…and then tell everyone at the party you’re being Julia Child for Halloween.
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Few things are more comforting than a steaming bowl of chili on an, ahem, chilly evening. This one has ground turkey to keep it light.
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Sure, they’re healthier for you—that’s not why we’re making them on repeat. It’s because they’re also really delicious.
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The next best thing to getting Queer Eye’s food expert in our kitchen? His meaty, tasty pasta sauce. Make it ahead and store it in the freezer if you’re into dinner meal-prepping.
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Guys, come on. This is a Halloween no-brainer.
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RELATED: 30 Amazing Pumpkin Recipes to Make All Fall Long
Enchiladas, but make it autumnal.
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Who needs a bowl when you’ve got a gourd? They’re filled with quinoa, chickpeas, Gruyère and all the good stuff.
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While we’re here, we might as well stay on theme. This easy and festive pizza recipe makes great use of the canned pumpkin you already have in your pantry.
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RELATED: 15 Recipes You Can Make with a Can of Pumpkin
This is—dare we say it?—better than a bowl of Halloween candy.
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What’s the opposite of spooky and scary? Glossy, saucy chicken in a skillet (with almost no cleanup) is what.
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Rich, creamy and oh-so-seasonal. You can use fresh or canned pumpkin, depending on how fancy you want to get.
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Raise your hand if you grew up eating your mom’s split pea soup every fall. This one will bring back all the nostalgic dinner feelings.
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Now this is how you do Halloween.
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Risotto is the ultimate comfort food, even when unadorned. Add creamy squash to fall-ify it, and you’ll be going back for seconds (or thirds).
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Spooky? Nope. Spicy? You bet. This pasta will become a weeknight regular long past Halloween night.
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When you’re sufficiently chilly and tired from handing out candy, come inside to a bowl of chowder that will warm you right up.
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This dinner is creamy, filling and begging to be served with a cup of homemade apple cider.
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On our ideal Halloween dinner checklist? Fast, easy, minimal cleanup and tastier than a king-size chocolate bar.
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The decadent, cheesy pasta is just waiting to emerge from that gorgeous blanket of phyllo rosettes.
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This is technically a side dish, but we recommend serving it as a vegetarian main course with rice on the side.
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While everyone else picks the candy apple out of their teeth, you’ll be enjoying a silky bowl of apple soup.
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It’s not every day that we dig into a melty skillet full of cheesy, meaty pasta. But it’s Halloween and we’re going all out.
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Get ready: It’s almost Winter Squash Season.
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FYI, baking your meatballs instead of pan-frying them ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that can’t be topped.
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Our favorite fall soup meets an easy skillet chicken dinner that’s smothered in gooey Gruyère cheese—yum.
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Feeling ambitious? Go ahead and roast your own pumpkin. Or don’t; canned will taste equally delicious.
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You had us at browned butter mashed potatoes, but the 30-minute cooking time certainly sweetens the deal.
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RELATED: 50 Fall Dinner Ideas to Savor All Season Long