Insider’s Viewpoint: Ghoulishly Good Halloween Dinner

Getting a nutritious dinner on the table to fuel up the kids before a long night of trick-or-treating can be a challenge. Amongst getting their costumes ready and setting up the front door candy station, there is little time to make dinner and convince the kids to sit down and eat. Here are a few “spooktacular” supper recipes that all your little ghosts and goblins will gobble up.

5 Halloween Dinners

1. Chili. Quick and easy to make, chili is great to prepare earlier in the day and let simmer in the crock pot or on the stove. Made with beans, onions and canned tomatoes, this is one way to warm up and fuel the kids before they head out the door. Add diced sweet potatoes or avocado for a punch of flavor and nutrition!
2. Mac ‘n Cheese. This kid-friendly dish is a blank palate to add all sorts of veggies like cooked broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes.
3. Sloppy Joes. Give your sloppy joes a sweet twist by adding raisins. This offers a bonus serving of fruit and natural sweetness. Don’t forget to add in those veggies like chopped peppers, onions and mushrooms.
4. Pizzadillas. When you combine the flavors of pizza and the concept of quesadillas, you get pizzadillas! This fun dish makes it easy to sneak in fruits and veggies. Try a Hawaiian-inspired pizzadilla by adding pineapple.
5. Grilled Cheese. Make your grilled cheese sandwiches gourmet by using a variety of cheeses, fruits and veggies. Try roasted broccoli grilled cheese, caprese grilled cheese with tomato and basil, or balsamic blueberry grilled cheese. Make a few different types, cut into small slices, and let the kids sample!

Recipe

Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 pkg. chili seasoning

Directions

1. In a large soup pot, brown ground turkey over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Place remaining ingredients into pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft. Serve warm.

Optional: Top with nonfat plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, or diced avocado.

Recipe adapted from: Festival Foods 20 Minute Meals blog

Lauren Lindsley, RDN, CD
Dietitian Manager
Skogen’s Festival Foods
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