Easy Halloween Dinner Ideas To Share With The Kids

Halloween Dinner Ideas

I know that there is a lot of pressure on us parents to make every holiday meal an artistic creation or to go all out in all of the ways. But honestly? You don’t have to if you don’t want to or if it’s just too much. It’s possible to have fun, filling meals that are easy to make and that help fill those tummies before heading out for spooky fun. This recipe collection is meant to give you some easy ideas for Halloween that are quick and nourishing. Some of these dinner ideas for kids are sort of themed (like green food or things that use pumpkin or squash) and some are just favorite go-to easy meals. You may have seen hot dog mummies and ghost hot chocolate, but there are so many more easy ideas below! Add a simple side of cut up fruit, applesauce, cheese, or crackers and call it good! (You may also like Halloween Breakfast Ideas, healthy Halloween treats, Monster Cookies—add candy eyes for more fun—and Halloween lunch ideas.)

Tips to Keep it Easy

You can make almost all of these ahead of time and just warm them up as needed. These all work for lunch too. You may need to eat dinner early, so a slow cooker option might be a great idea to help you pull that off. Don’t worry if the kids don’t eat perfectly or every food group on any given day (and especially on holidays). They’re excited and likely distracted by other things!

And now for the recipes…

1. Pumpkin Quesadilla

These jack-o-lantern quesadillas are fun and so fast to make. (They work for lunch too of course!)

2. Sweet Potato Quesadilla

We love this mix of flavors and it’s an easy way to offer up veggies in a familiar format.

3. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Use canned beans to make this meal lightning fast.

4. Egg and Cheese Mini Muffins

This is an easy recipe to make ahead of time (with almost any veggie you like) and then warm up for the kids with some toast or crackers.

5. Breakfast Burritos

Wrap scrambled eggs and beans in a tortilla with cheese and serve with salsa for an easy, but satisfying kids meal.

6. Avocado Pasta

Mix up this super simple avocado sauce and toss with your pasta of choice. The green color is fun for Halloween too!

7. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

With a creamy texture and veggies right in the mix, this is an easy Halloween dinner (that lets you use up purees if needed).

8. Sausage Broccoli Pasta

Just 4 ingredients make this easy pasta meal sing. We love it for any night of the week, but especially busy ones.

9. Snack Dinner

Cheese, crackers, bread, some fruit, and veggies—or whichever leftovers you have—turn snacks into a fun meal. This is a great option for sharing a cheese plate with kids and calling it dinner.

10. Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Throw the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and dinner will be ready and waiting when you are.

11. Alphabet Soup

Pair ABC pasta with frozen veggies and broth in this super simple (and yummy) soup. You can even customize it by using only the veggies that the kids like.

12. Spinach Eggs

A fun color for the holiday and nutritious? Yes! Give them a funny name if you want, too!

13. Pumpkin Muffins

Make a batch of muffins, pair it with fruit or a smoothie, and you have an easy meal ready to go. Perfect for October and easy to bake ahead.

14. Spinach Muffins

Call them “monster muffins” or any fun name you like and serve them up for a festive (and easy) kids meal with fruit and milk.

15. Chocolate Protein Muffins

These blender muffins have veggies right in the mix, but taste like brownies. How’s that for a fun meal, especially as part of a Halloween dinner with a side of fruit and cottage cheese?!

16. Cottage Cheese Pancakes

With just a few ingredients, these protein-packed pancakes are a favorite easy breakfast-for-dinner idea—and a filling Halloween dinner idea for those eager trick-or-treaters.

17. Broccoli Mac and Cheese

With an easy method that uses just one pan, this is a comforting pasta dish to share with the kids. (Add little spider rings to the plate to make this even more fun!)

Best Tips for Success

Keep expectations low for intake of Halloween dinner as the kids may be more excited about Halloween and trick-or-treating than they are interested in eating much. (Or could be the opposite!) Review tips for toddlers and candy year-by-year for Halloween. Offer a drink with dinner to ensure the kids are hydrated. Pizza toast is also an easy appetizer or meal for home or at Halloween parties.

I’d love to hear your feedback on any of these, so please comment to share—and also chime in about your go-to Halloween dinners!