20 Halloween dinner ideas

Halloween parties aren’t just for kids. Check out our adult Halloween party ideas for inspiration. If you haven’t left enough time to throw a big soiree, don’t fear. Our last-minute Halloween party ideas will save the day.

1. Mini monster burgers

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. Char-spookery board

Embrace the Halloween spirit with a themed charcuterie board with fun, family-friendly treats. Decorate with toy spiders, eyeballs, or other spooky props. This no-cook platter is perfect for kickstarting your Halloween feast and serves 8-10 guests.

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 petit 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. Maggoty dustbin pasta

Pan and two bowls of orzo pasta with sweetcorn, frozen peas, red peppers

This easy pasta dish is a great way to use up some leftover storecupboard ingredients. Flavour orzo with black bean sauce and add peas, sweetcorn, peppers and ham for lots of colour.

5. Healthy Halloween nachos

Grown-ups and kids alike will love these bat-shaped tortilla chips with homemade guacamole and salsa. They're the perfect accompaniment to a full Halloween dinner spread.

6. Healthy Halloween stuffed peppers

Move over, pumpkin – did you know there is 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 peppers with a mixed grain filling. It's a healthy dinner that tastes frightfully good, too.

7. Little monster pancakes

Whip up these vibrant green pancakes for a Halloween party or special treat. Spinach is the secret ingredient that gives them their eerie hue. While we've suggested decorating them with bananas and other fruit to create spooky faces, you can easily turn them into a savoury option by swapping the toppings for olives, ham, and other meat and veg.

8. Eyeball pasta

Tagliatelle topped with tomato sauce and 'eyeballs'

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.

9. 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.

10. Mini pumpkin & feta pies

Mini pumpkin and feta pies with faces on a cooling rack

These mini pumpkin and feta pies make the perfect starter for your Halloween spread. Though they require a bit more effort to prepare, they’re freezer-friendly, allowing you to make them up to two months in advance for added convenience.

11. Spaghetti with mummified garlic bread

Spaghetti with tomato sauce on a plate topped with basil next to garlic bread's decorated like mummies

Serve this vegetarian tomato sauce over spaghetti with monstrous garlic bread to soak up the sweet and tangy sauce. This dish is incredibly versatile as you can choose to keep it vegetarian and add mushrooms or serve it with a protein of your choice: chorizo, chicken or prawns are our suggestions, but you could pick any of your favourites.

12. Beef & pumpkin stew

Try an alternative to root veg in stews, with pumpkin. Our beef & pumpkin stew is a great way to use up the flesh of leftover pumpkins (check they're recommended for eating first). Enjoy a warming bowl with a side of crusty bread for a filling evening meal.

13. Baked pumpkin fondue

Baked pumpkin filled with fondue and surrounded by bread and potatoes

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 luxurious dinner. Dip in chunks of crusty bread or 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.

14. Pumpkin pasta alla vodka

Embrace autumn and pay homage to pumpkins with this effortless pasta creation that truly celebrates this versatile gourd. The secret to its captivating depth of flavour? A delightful combination of vodka and a hint of chilli, perfect for adding a little kick to the sauce.

15. Spicy pumpkin soup

Three bowls of pumpkin soup topped with cream and chillies

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 roasted pumpkin seeds for a supercharged autumnal dinner.

16. Hubble bubble pumpkin pot

Plate of rice with pumpkin, leeks and bacon

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.

17. Butternut squash & cherry tomato crumble

Oval dish of butternut squash and cherry tomato crumble with a chunk missing

Turn dinner into a delightful experience by serving a savoury crumble that ditches the sugar and swaps out the fruit for a delectable squash filling. This comforting dish epitomises autumnal suppers, and the nutty cheese topping is so moreish.

18. Stuffed pumpkin

Pumpkin stuffed with wild rice, apple and pomegranate seeds

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.

19. Smoky sausage & squash traybake

Baking tray of butternut squash and sausages topped with herbs

Make the most of seasonal butternut squash in this simple, two-step traybake, which will quickly become an autumn favourite for the whole family. A great tip to reduce food waste is to save your squash peelings and use them in a homemade vegetable stock.

20. 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.