We're days away from the culmination of spooky season, aka Halloween, and your coven is going to need some killer dinners to compete with all that trick-or-treat candy. So to celebrate, we're brewing seven kid-friendly, seasonal meals that are scary delicious. Whether you're hosting a party, feeding the mini monsters before they hit the streets or treating yourself to a solo dinner at home, they're sure to satisfy.
Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (October 25 – 31)
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Published Oct 22, 2021
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Shopping List
Produce
1 medium white onion
11 garlic cloves
1 large sweet potato
1 butternut squash
2 sweet onions
1 pumpkin
4 small acorn squash
1 pound new potatoes
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch scallions
2 bunches rosemary
3 bunches thyme
2 bunches sage
1 bunch rainbow chard
1 bunch leeks
1 bunch rainbow carrots
Meat
1 pound ground turkey
2 Cornish hens
Dairy
3 sticks unsalted butter
12 ounces shredded cheddar or Jack cheese
Sour cream, for serving
5 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
12 ounces ricotta cheese
4 ounces half-and-half
12 slices American cheese
40 ounces whole milk
2 ounces heavy cream
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded white cheddar cheese
4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Grains
12 rectangular flour tortillas or wraps
1 ball store-bought pizza dough
9 slices white bread
6 ounces polenta
1 pound short pasta
Canned and Packaged Goods
Salsa
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
One 15-ounce can black beans
24 ounces vegetable or chicken broth
One 28-ounce can plum tomatoes
Panko breadcrumbs
Pantry Ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, crusted red pepper flakes, ground cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, all-purpose flour, Dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, Italian herb blend, smoked paprika
Monday: Baking Sheet Quesadillas
You only need 30 minutes to pull off this uber-adaptable recipe. Toss in some grilled chicken, avocado slices or ground beef if you'd like. (Bonus points for cutting the quesadillas with bat- and pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters.)
Tuesday: Sweet Potato Chili With Turkey And Black Beans
In case you've already dug into your candy stash for the trick-or-treaters (and let's be real: you totally have), you'll want to balance things out with plenty of protein and fiber. Luckily, sweet spuds, ground turkey and canned beans have you covered.
Wednesday: Pizza With Butternut Squash Sauce
Your fam is going to fall in love with this pizza night remix. The butternut squash sauce would also be great on pasta, in lasagna or over meatballs.
Thursday: Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese Bites
We can hear your inner child squealing for this 45-minute soup already. Feel free to skip the single-serve cups if you're only feeding a few people.
Friday: Pumpkin Polenta
Aka the best way to repurpose your jack-o'-lantern leftovers. Save the seeds and toast them for a festive fall garnish.
Saturday: Macaroni And Cheese In Acorn Squash Bowls
Sunday: Cornish Hens In Parchment Paper
The kids are out, the wine cork is popped and there's a scary movie on—date night can officially begin.
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
