Help your kiddos have a happy Halloween by prepping one of these make ahead Fall dinner recipes! Fill their bellies w/ protein and veggies to prevent that dreaded blood sugar spike from all the treats.

Unlike most of the big holidays, there's usually no special feast that accompanies the Halloween festivities. On the contrary, I know a lot of people default to ordering a pizza just to make things easier before the festivities.

I have to say though, a make ahead dinner can be just as easy on Halloween night as a pizza order! It's actually a lot more reliable too since you know it will be on the table on time.

Another plus to a homemade Halloween dinner? It will help fill your little one's belly with some nutrients and protein before all the sugar. Not only will this help them feel better, it will help fight that sugar rush that can leave them running laps around your living room long after bedtime!

I've rounded up a few of my favorite Fall dinner recipes, perfect for Halloween, below. Whether you're out trick or treating, or simply sharing some homemade treats you baked together at home, these simple dinner recipes are totally make-ahead so you can sit back and enjoy the holiday with your family.

Halloween Dinner Recipes

Healthy Sloppy Joes

The classic kid favorite is given a major nutritional makeover here and, guess what? It tastes better too, in my humble opinion 🙂 With no added sugar, these sloppy joes get plenty of sweetness and deep flavor from tomato paste.

Bonus? If you serve it over sweet potatoes as the recipe suggests, this Halloween dinner has a definite festive orange vibe!

Chicken Vegetable Soup

This classic Fall dinner recipe is comforting and nutritious, the perfect start to a night that's bound to be filled with a little extra sugar.

Do you have a toddler at home? If they don't do soup, try deconstructing it for them and serving on a plate instead of a bowl. Soup can be tricky for those who are still mastering the art of the spoon, but the individual components – carrots, shredded chicken and cooked celery – are all super kid-friendly.

Sweet Potato & Pear Soup

This soup couldn't be any simpler and, like many pureed soups, it freezes really well! So if you really want to make your life easier, make some this weekend and just thaw it out for Halloween dinner.

Pair (pear?) with your favorite protein for a complete meal!

Crock Pot 3 Bean, Chipotle & Collards Chili

Chili is the quintessential Fall dinner recipe. It fills the whole house with the smells of Fall and I can't think of anything more comforting on a chilly night (or you know, a super warm night in Texas where we're all lighting pumpkin candles and pretending it's cold out).

Chili is also the kind of meal that actually gets better with age so don't hesitate to prep this one ahead!

Gluten Free Corn Muffins

My simple corn muffins go so well with chili and they're easy enough that even the youngest sous chef can get in on the action and help! Make them ahead for the perfect easy side for any of your favorite Fall dinner recipes.

Beef & Butternut Squash Tagine

Who needs florescent orange candy when you can get such a beautiful orange hue naturally from butternut squash? The turmeric here gives an extra orange boost as well 🙂

Paired with grass-fed beef sirloin in this hearty dish, the squash gives this Halloween dinner a subtle sweetness that appeals to kids and grownups alike.

Slow Cooker Garlic Mojo Pork

If you love citrus, this one is a must! The mojo sauce is so fresh and bright. It's just as good on chicken as on pork too, so don't be deterred if you don't eat pork.

To prep ahead, make the sauce and dice the onion ahead of time. On the morning of Halloween, all you'll need to do is sear the pork and stick everything in the slow cooker.

Alternatively, cook the whole thing ahead – the leftovers hold up great! This recipe makes a lot, so you may want to serve it one way earlier in the week, such as with roasted veggies, and then repurpose the leftovers as sliders or tacos on Halloween.

Pizza Soup

Like many soups, my gluten free pizza soup is fantastic leftover! Make a big batch earlier in the week and enjoy on Halloween before whatever festivities you have planned.

All of the delicious flavor of pizza, but it won't weigh you down!

More Halloween Resources

If you're hosting a Halloween gathering or just looking to make something festive with your kids, make sure to check out my Icy Halloween Ghosts and Healthy Halloween Treats.

My Healthier Halloween Recipes post has one of my favorite creative breakfasts, as well as a super simple healthy treat you can pass out instead of candy if you wish!

Lastly, make sure to check out my Tips for Handling Halloween Candy for some ideas on letting your kids (or yourself!) enjoy a few treats, without going overboard.

What is your favorite Fall Dinner Recipe? Share your ideas and pictures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram as @prepdish in all 3 places, or leave a comment below.

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