Happy, family-friendly Halloween cooking, easy recipes to feed a gang of pint-sized monsters. This cheerful collection brings a cosy, slightly spooky dinner and a wildly fun dessert to the table: a kid-approved Spaghetti Bolognese, crispy Polenta Fingers with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, and the utterly indulgent Smushins dessert. These recipes are straightforward, use everyday ingredients and are perfect for little helpers before heading out for trick or treating.
Quick overview
- Meal: Spaghetti Bolognese with smoky bacon and sun-dried tomatoes
- Side: Crispy polenta fingers with sweet tomato dip (aka bat's blood)
- Dessert: Smushins — a mix-and-smush ice cream board for kids
- Prep time: 20 minutes active, plus slow simmer and chill times
- Great for: family Halloween nights, easy entertaining, cooking with kids
Best Halloween Spaghetti Bolognese
This version plays on deep, friendly flavours that kids love: smoky streaky bacon, sweet sun-dried tomatoes and a rich tomato base. It is an ideal example of simple, homey cooking, easy recipes that still feel a bit special for a party night.
Ingredients
- Olive oil, a splash
- 100g dry cured smoked streaky bacon, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 white onion, finely sliced
- 400g minced beef (or mixed beef and pork)
- 150ml red wine (optional, alcohol cooks off)
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- A handful sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Spaghetti for the family
- Fresh Parmesan to serve
How to make it
- Warm a casserole pan with a little olive oil. Fry the bacon until it starts to crisp and release fat.
- Add the chopped rosemary and sliced garlic. Stir and let the aroma build for 30–60 seconds.
- Add the sliced onion and turn the heat down. Slow cook the onions until sweet and translucent.
- Toss in the minced meat and break it up so it coats in the onion, bacon and herbs.
- Pour in the red wine and let it bubble off. Add the tinned tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes, season and stir.
- Simmer, partially covered, for about an hour at 180°C (or gently on the hob) until the sauce is thick and concentrated.
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente, drain, toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a little of the sauce so it does not clump.
- Serve the pasta topped with extra sauce and lots of grated Parmesan. Little ones adore generous cheese.
Why this works
Smoky bacon and rosemary give a savoury base, sun-dried tomatoes add natural sweetness so there is no need for added sugar. The slow simmer concentrates flavours while keeping the sauce gentle for kids. This is simple cooking, easy recipes that taste like a treat.
Polenta Fingers with Sweet Spicy Tomato Dip (Bat's Blood)
A playful side that kids can eat easily and dip with delight. Polenta crisps up beautifully when grilled and makes a great finger food alternative to fries.
Ingredients
- 1 litre boiling water + 1 tbsp salt
- 225g polenta
- Half pack butter
- Two handfuls grated Parmesan
- Olive oil to brush
- For the dip: 1 small onion, olive oil, handful basil, sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tin chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper
Method
- Whisk polenta into boiling salted water until thick and porridge-like, then simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Stir in butter and Parmesan to enrich. Pour into a tray to about 2 cm thickness and chill for 30 minutes until firm.
- Turn out, cut into long finger shapes and skewer if desired. Rub with oil and grill on high until golden on all sides.
- For the dip, fry chopped onion in oil until sweet. Add basil, sun-dried tomatoes and chopped tinned tomatoes. Simmer 15 minutes and season to taste.
- Serve the warm polenta fingers with the sweet, intense tomato dip for dunking.
Smushins Dessert: Make It a Game
Smushins are pure fun: an ice cream board where kids load, squish and create their own sweet stacks. It doubles as entertainment and dessert, perfect before heading out for trick or treating.
What to gather
- Ice cream (vanilla works best)
- Chocolate buttons, M&Ms, smarties, flakes
- Fresh fruit: strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, grapes
- Maple syrup, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce
- Cookies and biscuits, sprinkles
How to play and build
- Put a scoop or two of ice cream on each small board or plate.
- Lay out all the toppings. Let each child try to fit a sweet straight into their mouth first for giggles, then start smushing.
- Use small spatulas to press and smush toppings into the ice cream, creating a little pile of flavours.
- When satisfied, scoop a bite and enjoy. Quick hands are better because things melt fast.
Expert tips for a smooth Halloween night
- Prep ahead: Make the Bolognese early and reheat gently — flavours improve with a little rest.
- Kid-friendly seasoning: Keep chilli mild or omit for little ones. Use sun-dried tomatoes for natural sweetness instead of sugar.
- Make it interactive: Let children grate Parmesan, stir sauce, or arrange Smushins toppings — great learning and fun.
- Balance treats: Serve fruit alongside Smushins so there is some fresh in the mix.
Storing and leftovers
- Bolognese keeps well in the fridge for 3 days or freezes for up to 3 months.
- Cooked polenta fingers are best eaten same day but can be reheated under a hot grill for 5–8 minutes.
- Smushins should be made and eaten immediately.
These recipes show that simple cooking, easy recipes can turn Halloween into a delicious, hands-on family celebration.
Serving suggestions
- Serve pasta with bowls of grated Parmesan and a side of polenta fingers for dipping.
- Let kids assemble their Smushins while adults finish packing trick-or-treat bags — a sweet finish that keeps spirits high.
Enjoy the night, enjoy the food and let the little monsters lead the way. These Halloween recipes are built for cosy, noisy family fun and perfectly fit the spirit of playful, practical cooking, easy recipes to keep the evening cheerful and well fed.
This article was created from the video Halloween Recipes and Ideas | Oliver's Twist Full Episode | Jamie Oliver with the help of AI.
Halloween Recipes and Ideas for Kids: cooking, easy recipes for Spaghetti Bolognese, Polenta Fingers and Smushins. There are any Halloween Recipes and Ideas for Kids: cooking, easy recipes for Spaghetti Bolognese, Polenta Fingers and Smushins in here.
