Halloween is the official kickoff of the holiday season! It’s time to load up on your favorite seasonal foods (aka anything pumpkin flavored), set out the Halloween decorations, have a Halloween movie marathon and carve pumpkins. Nothing screams the holidays more than a holiday-inspired meal so, of course, we’ve rounded up easy and delicious Halloween dinner ideas.

Halloween offers tons of opportunities for creativity in the kitchen, especially for Halloween dinner. From monster burgers to mini ghost pizzas and eyeballs and spiders a plenty, there’s no shortage of fun ideas. Plus, there are so many things you can do with pumpkin, whether it’s the main ingredient or the inspiration behind a meal’s appearance. Just look at how pumpkin was used in these Halloween dinner ideas.

Scroll through these Halloween dinner ideas for kids that will inspire your October dinner menu and get everyone in a festive and spooky mood.

20 Halloween dinner ideas for kids

1. Mummy stromboli

Mummy dogs are so last year. Give this Italian speciality a spooky twist with black olives for eyes.

​2. Boo-zzarella salad

Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to give your mozzarella salad a Halloween makeover.

3. Bagel ghosts

If your kids adore breakfast for dinner like ours do, try this spooky bagel to fuel up before trick-or-treating fun.

​4. Eyeball guacamole

Taco night isn’t complete without chips and guac, right? Well, neither is a Halloween dinner complete without extra eye-balls.

​5. Stuffed jack-o-lanterns

These carved, stuffed bell peppers are both healthy and festive!

​6. Pumpotto (pumpkin risotto)

This Autumn-inspired oven baked risotto is a creative way to incorporate seasonal ingredients. If you’re having guests over this October, this is the dish you’ll want to make.

Related: 10 Halloween party ideas for your family’s spooky bash

7. Monster burgers

OK, but how fun are these creepy crawler burgers? You can even add extra toothpicks with olives for arms.

​8. Spider web nachos

Whip up this Halloween-themed dish in a flash using sour cream for the spider web and diced black olives for the teeny tiny spiders.

​9. Eyeball pancakes

Breakfast for Halloween dinner, anyone? These pancakes are giving us major Frankenstein vibes.

​10. Finger hot dogs

These “bloody” hot dogs look like legit human fingers; it’s actually very impressive, but also terrifying at the same time.

​11. Monster spaghetti

All you need is spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and black olives to make this monster creation. (P.S. Feel free to swap out the black olives for any veggie you’d like!)

​12. Pumpkin soup

Pumpkin flavored food is a must in the Fall, and using pumpkins as serving bowls is genius!

Related: 27 pumpkin carving ideas to celebrate spooky season

13. Mini ghost pizzas

Personalized pizzas take on all-new meaning in this Halloween dinner recipe.

​14. Cream of skeleton mushroom soup

Impress (and scare) your kids and guests with this bone chilling meal.

15. Skeleton ribs

For those in a time crunch, this Halloween dish requires minimal effort and time.

​16. Head loaf

If you’re looking for a creative challenge, this head loaf—made out of meat loaf, green olives, bacon, onion, and ketchup—is right up your alley.

17. Jack-o-lantern quesadillas

Make a simple and easy Halloween dinner with these spooky quesadillas.

18. Huevos Rancheros—Halloween version

As far as spooky dinner ideas go, these soft-baked skull-shaped eggs are definitely at the top of our Halloween dinner menu.

19. Spooky pot pie

When you’re putting together that list of Halloween dinner ideas, don’t forget this easy pot pie. Make it savory or sweet, as long as you make it spooky!

20. Char-spook-erie board

Family favorite finger foods and a bunch of eye-balls will add the perfect finishing touch to your char-spook-erie board.

A version of this post was published October 18, 2021. It has been updated.