Halloween is on a Saturday this year, which means that the evening should be less stressful—at least the getting ready part of the evening. Instead of rushing home from work and school, scrambling to get everyone’s costumes together, frantically ordering pizza, and digging out pillowcases as last minute trick-or-treat bags, you and the kids will actually get to enjoy the day. You might even have time to make one of those easy Halloween dinner ideas that normally get skipped.
The Internet is, as usual, filled with all kinds of Halloween food ideas, but they aren’t always easy and, let’s face it, they aren’t always that cute, either. These five recipes, however, have it all. Fast, simple, and crazy scary (okay, more like crazy adorable), these stress-free dinner ideas will make this year’s Halloween meal way more fun and fortifying than takeout.
Related: 6 terribly tasty Halloween dinner recipes.
These Chicken Sandwich Monsters from Like Mother Like Daughter require very little effort to turn a basic chicken sandwich into something monstrously fun! (Get it? Heh.)
This recipe for Chipotle Coconut Pepper Jacks makes it look like stuffed peppers were made for Halloween! With some clever “carving,” you can easily turn an orange bell pepper into a cute or creepy jack-o-lantern—whichever your kids prefer. Then stuff it with healthy goodness for a dinner that’s as delicious and fun as it is good for you.
This spine-tingling Monster Mash Soup from Peas and Crayons couldn’t be more simple. Top your favorite soup—Jenn uses a perfectly hued Roasted Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup—with awesome sushi-inspired eyeballs and, just like that, you have a monster face staring up at you from the bowl! A splash of Sriracha makes the monster extra terrifying and extra tasty, too, if you like spicy.
Related: Creepy mocktails and other non-alcoholic Halloween drinks for kids.
I can’t even… this Frankenstein Avocado Toast from Fork and Beans is too cute. Not only is the toast easy to throw together, but building them with your kids makes for a fun Halloween activity, too! Pair your frightening toast with soup and dinner is done!
With a salad this spooktacular the kids are sure to eat their veggies. (Maybe?!) Carrots and cheese are the perfect medium for cutting out edible jack-o-lanterns and ghosts either by hand or, even easier, with mini pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters. Amy at The Idea Room serves this salad as part of a Halloween dinner menu, complete with mummy garlic bread and a bowl of soup, every bite of which sounds more delicious than the next.
If you have somewhat older kids and want to get a little creepy, but not totally gross, this “worms and eyeballs” Halloween spaghetti dinner that we found at our editor Stacie’s site, One Hungry Mama, is the ticket. You can go all out and make the pasta sauce and meatballs from scratch or keep it easy with a jar of high-quality sauce and store-bought all natural meatballs if you can find them. Otherwise, her recipe for quick and tender turkey meatballs works well and cooks fast.
These are so super fun! Thanks so much for including my monster mash soup! 🙂