With Halloween around the corner, it is easy to get completely caught up with getting your costumes right, ensuring you have plenty of candies for trick-or-treaters, putting up some spooky decorations, and, of course, coordinating multiple myriad plans, so much so that you forget completely about dinner. You can go with the very same standards, but at the same time, we think it is way more exciting to make a Halloween-themed dinner for your partner and friends. We came across a myriad of Halloween food ideas, but nothing struck a chord except hosting a dinner party! Perhaps we are getting a little old – or it’s typical to enjoy at home once you start working in the corporate six days a week.
But it is what it is.
So, without thinking twice about any other Halloween food idea, let’s get started with our dinner date/party menu for Halloween!
Looking For Halloween Food Ideas? Host A Halloween Dinner Party For Boo!
So, you looked for Halloween food ideas, and you thought it was better to stay home? Sounds perfect! But what are you going to cook? What should your menu have on Halloween? Instead of beating around the bush, let’s get started with this spooktacular menu!
1. Eyeball Pasta:
Meatballs and spaghetti is an absolute classic, but Halloween dinner cannot be regular. It has to be spooky. Our classics are Ghost Pizza Bagels and Jack-o’-Lantern stuffed peppers. But now we are obsessed with transforming ordinary meatballs into spooky works of art by simply making them appear like monster eyeballs.
2. Ghost Purse Ravioli:
If you are seeking something delish that is only a little scary for Halloween, then you should definitely try out some Ravioli filled with finely chopped pear, Parmesan, and ricotta. You can make these with wonton wrappers instead of pasta dough to make them appear creepy.
3. Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole:
If you think that every bowl comprising chilies should be covered with mounds of melty cheese and a huge dollop of sour cream, then this is the casserole that you need. With black bean chili and roasted sweet potatoes layered together under a cheesy blanket, this simply vegetarian dinner is surprisingly hearty and incredibly comforting, making it an idea for Halloween night.
4. Ghoul-ash:
Cooking macaroni directly in goulash means that the pasta needs to soak up all that tomato flavor and beer while releasing some of its own starch simultaneously into the pan, thickening the dish to create a comforting, hearty stew. Once you start cooking pasta this way, you might just stop boiling pasta in water again.
5. Miso Bolognese:
Conventional Bolognese sauce is something that is known to take a long time to cook. But this Miso Bolognese is a weeknight version that can be done in just about 30 minutes. Earthy and delicate miso paste happens to add serious depth to the sauce made from ground beef, making it extra special.
6. Sushi Bake:
This casserole tastes exactly like our favorite spicy roll – chopped crab or fish combined with sushi rice and a wasabi-spiked mayo accompanied by plenty of sriracha, cucumber, and creamy sliced avocado. It is the ideal entry point for trying out making sushi at home. This is also the perfect way to introduce sushi to choosy adults or picky kids.
7. Sweet Potato Maple Brown Butter Gnocchi:
Instead of cooking sweet potato gnocchi at home, the genius thing to do is put the sweet potato into a creamy sauce, using it for store-purchased gnocchi for the same exact textures and flavors. The result is an irresistible, incredible fall dinner, ready in under twenty minutes.
8. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese:
Sweet, conveniently orange, and creamy butternut squash brings added depth, richness, and exciting seasonality to the traditional mac & cheese. A little amount of thyme brings some amounts of heavy lifting, making this homely, comfortable classic an absolute favorite for bringing fall flavors to the dinner table.
9. Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole:
If you are craving some chicken parmesan, but you are not really feeling like putting in plenty of time, then a casserole version is perfect for you. Just opt to use chicken nuggets with Parmesan and make a casserole out of it. This is comfort food at its core, accompanied by the cheesy flavor you are craving. Plus, it’s a shortcut version, and you don’t need to spend too much time on it.
10. Sheet-Pan Pork Chops With Apples:
We love sheet-pan pork chops served with apples – the recipe blends the spiciness of the pork chops with the sweetness of the apple sauce! Pork chops cooked in a sheet pan go very well with onions and apples. It’s a classic savory-sweet combination, ideal for balancing rich meat.
11. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie:
This dairy-free, meatless take on the classic shepherd’s pie is entirely packed with vegetables – parsnips, butternut squash, celery, and mushrooms. Loaded with plenty of flavors, this dish happens to be incredibly hearty, thanks to the lentils.
12. Creamy Pumpkin Sauce:
The creamy pumpkin sauce soup is an absolute crown-pleaser – kids, both young and old, will simply love its bright, orange hues. We loved adding chicken broth and heavy cream to our version of the soup for extra flavors and richness. But you can also substitute the chicken broth with coconut milk or veggie-based broth to make the dish vegan or vegetarian.
13. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes:
When we are craving something comforting, something carb-y, and something creamy, there is nothing better than a dish of twice-baked sweet potatoes. These potatoes exhibit the same qualities, apart from being a healthy dish. It is the perfect vegetarian meal for Halloween night – it’s light, so you can easily hit the streets post-dinner.
14. Pumpkin Carbonara:
We all love spaghetti carbonara – there’s no doubt about it! This classic dish gets a seasonal twist with the simple addition of our superstar of the moment: pumpkin. Paired with plenty of parmesan and bacon, you can prepare this pasta dinner in less than 60 minutes.
15. Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers:
Making Jack-O’-Lantern stuffed peppers is as fun and exciting as craving pumpkins on Halloween – it’s definitely easier! We just opted for a simple filling – rice and ground beef for our stuffed peppers. But of course, you can experiment with the filling in case you want to do something new this Halloween.
Bon Appétit!
Bon Appétit! We hope that your Halloween turns out to be great – you just need to ensure that your partner is up for it. Or, you can just make it a surprise – surprises usually work out just fine. So, don’t worry, and start cooking for a nice Halloween dinner.
Halloween food ideas mostly center around getting ready and stepping out to multiple parties. Hosting a cozy dinner date night for your partner or a nice dinner party for friends is a pretty cool idea – give it a try, and come back to let us know what you ended up cooking.
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Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.