10 Halloween Dinners To Whip Up Before Trick or Treating

October 12, 2022

Courtesy of Well Plated

Halloween is a blast, we love it as much as the next person wearing an Elsa costume for the fourth year in a row — but it takes some energy. Whether you’re escorting the kids out around your neighborhood and, uh, helping them carry their candy, or greeting little ghosts and goblins at your door, here are some Halloween dinners you can fix in advance to make sure everyone is fueled up and ready to go.

1. Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili

Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

Fill everyone’s bellies with this crowd-pleasing, hearty chili. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy it before setting out.

Try the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

2. Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Courtesy of The View From Great Island

What’s more Halloween than pumpkin? Plus, this creamy, comforting vegetarian dish is on the table in 15 minutes. Toss together a quick salad while it cooks.

Try the recipe from The View From Great Island.

3. Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Courtesy of Fit Slow Cooker Queen

Don’t be intimidated by the long ingredient list—many are spices, which is what makes this dish so flavorful, and it’s still quick and easy to make. Plus, it calls for cauliflower rice, so you can sneak some vegetables into the family and stay on your Whole30, if that’s your jam.

Try the recipe from Fit Slow Cooker Queen.

4. Easy Weeknight Lemon-Chicken Skillet

Courtesy of Primally Inspired

Fast, easy, crowd-pleasing—and all done in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze. With chicken, broccoli, lemon and garlic, it’s an instant classic.

Try the recipe from Primally Inspired.

5. Crockpot Lentil Soup

Courtesy of Well Plated

Loaded with vegetables, filling lentils and warming spices, this oh-so-autumn soup will fuel you for the cold trek ahead.

Try the recipe from Well Plated.

6. Paprika-Garlic Shrimp

Courtesy of Perchance to Cook

Go from “I’m hungry” to digging in in just 15 minutes with this luscious dish. Serve it with cauliflower rice (or regular rice) and steamed green beans for a complete meal.

Try the recipe from Perchance to Cook.

7. Slow Cooker Paleo Beef Stew

Courtesy of Parsnips & Pastries

Talk about a meal in a bowl—this stew is brimming with carrots, onions and mushrooms, along with red potatoes, beef and plenty of spices to amp up the flavor.

Try the recipe from Parsnips & Pastries.

8. Sweet Potato & Broccoli Rabe Sheet Pan Dinner with Ginger Peanut Sauce

sweet potato sheet pan dinner with veggies

Courtesy of The First Mess

Sweet, salty, creamy, hearty—there’s so much going on in this vegetarian dish, no one will miss the meat. Big plus: It’s on the table in 30 minutes.

Try the recipe from The First Mess.

9. Instant Pot Cauliflower Thai Curry

Courtesy of Oh She Glows

If you were thinking of ordering takeout on Halloween, forget it—not only will it take forever and hold you up, but you can DIY it so much better with this tasty plant-based dish.

Try the recipe from Oh She Glows.

10. Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Frittata Muffins

Courtesy of Nom Nom Paleo

We love eggs for dinner, and these little veggie-filled frittatas are so delicious and festive. Smaller appetites will love one, bigger people can have two or three. Leftovers make a great breakfast or lunch.

Try the recipe from Nom Nom Paleo.