43 Halloween Potluck Recipe Ideas That Will Satisfy Girls and Ghouls of All Ages

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

"I made this dish with kabocha squash—aka Japanese pumpkin—but any varietal would work," writes former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "The pre-roast might seem like a nuisance, but it will ensure the squash is fully cooked by the time you slice." Assemble the galette before heading to the party, then bake it once you get there to serve it fresh.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Personal-sized sugar pumpkins > stoneware (although you can totally use a stockpot instead for easier transportation). Don’t forget to toast some pumpkin seeds and bring store-bought pesto or fresh herbs for an easy garnish.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Oh, you fancy, huh? Plate the entire fall salad ahead, then prep the fried shallots right before you head to the party. That way, they'll still be crispy once everyone digs in.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10 to 12

Behold: the world’s easiest appetizer. It’s vegan, seasonal, filling and you can make it days ahead of the party. Make the nuts extra tasty by warming them up before serving.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

You can’t go wrong with pasta, white cheddar cheese and an unexpected autumnal gourd. Did I mention the mac and cheese is finished with breadcrumbs, Parmesan and extra butter? Yup, I'll meet you in the dairy aisle.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 4

I love pumpkin desserts too, but this just might be my favorite way to use canned pumpkin purée. It keeps the crust moist and colorful. Don’t be shy with the crumbled blue cheese on top.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, one pot, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Transfer the finished soup into your slow cooker, load it into the car and leave it on warm at the party. Then, set it up next to bowls and spoons. This way, guests can serve themselves without you needing to keep the stove on.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 12

Is there anything better than pockets of melty cheese with spinach? I think not. Thanks to store-bought pizza dough, these handhelds are a total cinch to prepare (even if you've never made calzones before).

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 18

Seasonal persimmons are a stunning addition to any fall party snack table. But most importantly, this Halloween potluck recipe idea comes together faster than you can say "trick or treat!"

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

How cute is this simplified spin on garden foccacia? Consider adding skeleton or scarecrow designs with whatever veggies you have on hand if you want to be even more on-theme.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Julia Child would be so proud. Keep the meaty masterpiece in the Crockpot and pack it in a box to transport it without spills. Might I suggest serving it over make-ahead mashed potatoes?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Elegant enough to impress, simple enough to make without breaking a sweat. Use a dry white wine, like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, for the sauce, and pack plenty of shaved Parm for garnishing.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

A protein and veggie on one baking sheet, aka a Halloween potluck recipe home run. Pair the sweet, zingy dish with steamed white rice, roasted potatoes or crusty baguette to add a carb to the mix.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 8

When there are kids and grown-ups at the party, you can never go wrong with pizza. Let the little ones pick off the jalapeños if they can’t handle the heat—or top half the pie with pepperoni and honey only from the start.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Enchiladas are like lasagna in the sense that they can be assembled ahead and easily transported, but they’re way more unexpected. Feel free to substitute store-bought rotisserie chicken for shredded turkey.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

And you thought carbonara couldn’t get any more decadent. Mashed butternut squash makes for the creamiest, silkiest sauce of all time. Pumpkin is shaking in her boots, trust.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Assemble them on your trustiest baking sheet, pack up the toppings (salsa! guacamole! sour cream!) and pop the quesadillas in the oven once you get to the party. Bonus points for slicing them into pumpkin and bat shapes with cookie cutters.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Low-key the healthiest thing I'll be eating this spooky season. Best of all, this crowd-pleaser comes together in your trusty cast iron skillet, so you'll have minimal dishes to clean once it's all eaten.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

Sure, it's spooky season. But with at least one vegan-friendly option at the Halloween potluck, there's nothing for your plant-based friends to be afraid of. Don't get me started on the mushroom "bacon."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2 to 3

Depending on how many partygoers there are, double or triple the recipe—this is definitely going to be a crowd favorite. Fresh lemon brings every bite to life, along with salty Romano cheese and spicy red pepper flakes.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

"It’s creamy, comforting and big enough to feed a crowd, but still feels modern, thanks to dollops of ricotta and plenty of spinach," Gillen asserts. "Even better, it freezes like a dream for the nights you don’t feel like cooking." In other words, make it on October 30th so you have one less thing to do before trick-or-treating.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 10 to 12

"This crunchy broccoli salad is a satisfying mix of crispy bacon, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and a just-creamy-enough dressing, plus a little cheese for good measure," Gillen explains. Balance is everything, no?

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

This seasonal side can be served hot or cold, so it’s a decidedly flexible Halloween potluck recipe idea. (In other words, you can totally prepare it ahead.) Feel free to substitute chopped pistachios for pine nuts, or feta for goat cheese.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

It’s cheesy, creamy and chock-full of fresh herbs—what more can you ask for in a fall side dish? It would pair great with buttery mushrooms, dressed arugula and tender short rib alike.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 6 to 8

When in doubt, give your veggies the Pecorino-and-black-pepper treatment. Even picky kids won’t be able to turn these buttery Brussels down. (Well, if they haven't gone trick-or-treating yet, anyway.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 10

Any casserole dish is prime for bringing to a Halloween potluck because they’re a breeze to reheat before serving. And those phyllo dough rosettes? Pure artwork, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 6

I can’t decide what I love more, the smoky roasted chickpeas or the umami-rich dressing, which is basically an egg-free Caesar. Pile on the Parmesan curls to make it even tastier.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Latkes aren't just a wintertime staple—make them fall-appropriate by using Brussels instead of potatoes. (And just in case you need help shredding them, I've got you covered with this easy guide.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, make-ahead, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Not that I don't love pizza and all things cheese, but having a lighter option at your Halloween potluck will be greatly appreciated by your adult guests. Nearly all the components cook to completion on a single sheet pan.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Party guests will be begging for seconds and thirds, and I'm betting this dish might even convince your picky eater to try a vegetable. Good looking out, Gruyère.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Although this dish looks fancy enough to serve at any soirée, you won't believe how easy it is to make. Roasted, puréed squash and chicken broth are used instead of water for the risotto liquid, so every spoonful will turn out super flavorful.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

Pumpkin and cream cheese is one flavor combination I'll never grow tired of. "These cakey treats start with the same batter as my recipe for pumpkin black and white cookies, so once you have this version down, branch out and make those, too," Gillen suggests. "It’s as simple as swapping the frosting."

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10 to 12

Your farmstand favorite, from scratch and for a hungry crowd. "It’s like an oversize version of a moist, fluffy doughnut, with a tender, softly spiced crumb and a brown butter icing to gild the lily," Gillen raves. "Serve the leftovers for breakfast—you have my permission."

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, kid-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 1

Candy and chocolate never hurt—especially on Halloween. This low-maintenance Halloween potluck recipe idea will excite all the party guests (and you'll barely have to do any work). "When assembling, place studier ingredients on the bottom to hold skewered items securely. Soft ingredients can go on top, and thin, soft items can be affixed to bamboo skewers for height," Gillen explains.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

There's no need to wait until Thanksgiving for pumpkin pie. "I recommend making a double batch of your favorite pie crust the day ahead and chilling it in the freezer," Gillen says, but I know holidays are a time to pull out your favorite cooking shortcuts, so feel free to use store-bought dough instead."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 10

Fun, nostalgic and just classy enough, this cake is the perfect dessert for a Halloween potluck. The best part? You can bake and frost it the night before the party, and fill it with your choice of candy.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Guests will think you snagged these doughnuts from your local apple orchard or farmers market, so they’ll be totally wowed when you reveal you made them from scratch. I'm betting most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

It’s so drool-worthy that it might even eclipse the kids’ trick-or-treat hauls. Mix things up by using white chocolate instead of dark for a sweeter final product, or dark for more bitterness.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12-inch tart

If sweet-and-salty treats are your kryptonite, look no further than this fall stunner. Drive the flavor contrast home by finishing the crust with both coarse salt and pearl sugar for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 10

Pop it over a pumpkin-shaped cake stand and prepare to be crowned the hostess (or guest) with the mostest. Go the extra mile by mixing big-batch pumpkin spice lattes to wash it down too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

There are two ways to tackle this treat: Assemble the pies and bake them to perfection at the party (just make sure your host’s oven will be free), or bake them to completion at home and simply reheat before serving. Either way, have plenty of vanilla ice cream on hand.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten-free, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

A little unique but no less sweet, this pavlova isn't your average apple dessert. Featuring Granny Smiths, brown sugar, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, this is the kind of treat you dive straight into with gusto.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 12

Simple to make and impossible to resist. Nobody will be able to pass up this sweet and salty combo of kettle corn, candy corn, peanuts, chocolate bark and assorted seasonal candies.