15 Halloween dinner ideas

Bring burgers to life with these mini monsters at a Halloween or kids party. They're easy to make and lots of fun. Not only do they take less than 15 minutes to cook, but the recipe is easily sized up to feed a crowd.

2. Gory guts pizza tear 'n' share bread

Grab a piece of this 'gut-wrenching' pizza bread, complete with blood red tomato sauce and oozing cheese centre. Great for sharing at a Halloween party bash, you can easily customise with the fillings of your choice.

3. Witches' brew (pea & bacon chowder)

Hubble bubble, toil and trouble... this green soup is sure to delight any little witches or wizards. It's the perfect way to use up frozen petits pois peas along with a few storecupboard ingredients. We've finished ours with a scattering of crisp streaky bacon, but vegetarians can rest assured – it's just as delicious without.

4. Healthy Halloween stuffed peppers

Move over, pumpkin – did you know there are a whole range of alternative fruit and veg that you can carve to look like jack-o'-lanterns? Inspire the kids to get creative (under supervision) and carve their own freaky faces into bell peppers with a mixed grain filling. It's a super-healthy dinner that tastes frightfully good, too.

5. Halloween spider pizzas

Kids will love to help decorate these Halloween-themed pizzas. With a little care and attention, it's easy to create an eerie spider pattern using salami, olives or peppers – or let them unleash their creativity and make their own mysterious masterpiece.

6. Eyeball pasta

This one's not for the faint hearted, but it's sure to be a conversation starter. Top green tagliatelle with a jar of ready-made tomato sauce, then finish with the pièce de résistance – eerie 'eyeballs' made with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Ghoulish and gory, yes – but surprisingly tasty, too.

7. Stuffed butternut squash

Make a veggie roast everyone will love – this squash is packed with nuts, barley and herbs, so it has plenty of flavour and lots of lovely textures. This is a great dish to prepare ahead for a dinner party, simply pop it in the oven when you're ready.

8. Baked pumpkin fondue

Make the autumnal flavours of pumpkin the star of the show with this bubbling three cheese fondue. Hollow out the pumpkin and bake until tender, then fill with a blend of emmental, gruyère and mature cheddar for a really indulgent dinner. Dip chunks of crusty bread, roast potatoes, or simply eat with a spoon – you'll be able to scoop out chunks of soft, roasted pumpkin along with the melted cheese.

9. Creamy pumpkin pasta

Transform your pumpkin leftovers into a silky smooth sauce which works brilliantly with chunky pasta like rigatoni or penne. Simply blitz the cooked pumpkin flesh then combine with creamy mascarpone and nutty parmesan. This comforting dinner will top up your energy levels before an evening of trick-or-treating.

10. Spicy pumpkin soup

Heading out for a chilly evening of trick-or-treating? A bowl of warming pumpkin soup is just what you need to raise the spirits. We've given this classic recipe an extra kick with a hint of chilli plus extra flavour from spices such as cumin garam masala and ginger. Finish with a swirl of cream and crunchy roast pumpkin seeds for a supercharged autumnal dinner.

11. Hubble bubble pumpkin pot

Kids will love to get involved with conjuring up this tasty one-pot with leeks, bacon and pieces of pumpkin. It can be made in the microwave and only uses six ingredients – a lovely, fuss-free family dinner option that everyone will enjoy.

12. Pumpkin curry with chickpeas

This seasonal curry is packed with flavour, using Thai yellow curry paste, lemongrass, cardamom, mustard seeds, lime and mint, along with a silky sauce enriched with coconut milk. It's a fantastic vegan dish that feels special. Serve with naan and coconut rice for a real feast.

13. Stuffed pumpkin

Entertaining a large crowd? This stunning vegan stuffed pumpkin is sure to cause a stir. Packed with a fragrant mixture of herb and apple-infused rice with crunchy pecans and ruby red pomegranate seeds, it's the perfect plant-based feast for all gourmet ghouls.

14. Meatballs with vine tomato sauce

These meatballs are easy to make and pair perfectly with pumpkin mash for a seasonal supper suitable for the whole family. We've mixed lean minced beef with onion, apple, red pepper and oregano and served with a rich tomato sauce. If you want to get ahead, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and store in the fridge for two days, or freeze for even longer.

15. Caramelised squash & spinach lasagne

The ultimate Halloween dinner for lasagne lovers has to be this caramelised squash and spinach lasagne. Filled with layers of spinach and slow-roasted squash, creamy white sauce and crunchy golden pine nuts, this pasta dinner can be made ahead, is suitable for vegetarians and freezer friendly.

More ghoulishly good Halloween inspiration...

All you need for Halloween
More Halloween recipes
Halloween cocktails
Healthy Halloween recipes
Halloween baking recipes
Kids' Halloween ideas

What's your favourite dinner to enjoy on Halloween? Let us know in the comments below...