Quick dinners for your Halloween
Quick dinners for your Halloween
Plus, sweet treats without the sugar!
I don’t know about you, but there’s certainly a level of stress that hits every year that Halloween falls on a weeknight. Between the kiddos’ costume prep and trick-or-treating plans and the looming weeknight bedtime routine, it’s one of those nights when I’m extra appreciative of simple dinners we can enjoy before heading out the door.
So I thought I’d share a few meals that feel hearty and cozy and autumnal, but don’t require a whole lot of effort. And best of all, these family-friendly meals are all low carb, which means you can leave the sugar spikes to the Halloween candy if you choose. :)
Crockpot No-Bean Chili
This slow cooker recipe makes a no-bean chili that’s low carb, gluten free and keto-friendly. It’s easy to prep in the morning before you head out the door, and can go a full 8 hours in the Crockpot if cooked on Low. (You might also enjoy this Crockpot Pumpkin Chili with Chicken!)
This is a slow cooker variation of my original Keto Chili Recipe (made over the stovetop) and both would be great for Halloween. You can make a double batch if you’re hosting friends and set out a fun assortment of toppings for a classic chili bar (but low carb style)!
For little eaters, you can mix in extra cheese and sour cream to reduce the heat. Oh, and a slice of cornbread is always a must when there’s chili, right?
Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken
Who doesn’t love a quick stir fry meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes?! This turmeric black pepper chicken has an earthy-savory-sweet sauce that coats tender chicken thighs and crisp broccolini.
Don’t have broccolini? Swap in mini broccoli florets, chopped asparagus, zucchini or green beans!
Healthy Mushroom Soup
My kids love this soup! It’s thick and creamy and you can make it with or without dairy, depending on your needs.
When it comes to active prep time, there’s really only an onion and mushrooms that require chopping, but you can also purchase pre-sliced mushrooms and make life easier. The soup requires blending, which I usually do in a high-powered blender, but an immersion blender works well too.
Sheet Pan Cheesy Chicken and Cauliflower Rice
Sheet pan dinners can’t get any easier, and while this chicken and cauli rice takes a over 30 minutes to bake, there’s very little prep required.
All you need to do is toss everything on the sheet pan (you’ll use frozen cauliflower rice!) with seasonings, bake, and top it with cheddar cheese at the very end. It’s my low-carb version of a chicken and rice casserole, sheet-pan style.
I know this email comes a bit earlier this week, but I thought some quick dinner inspo might be extra helpful today. If you’re in the mood for sweet treats (without added sugar), I have a few tasty ideas for that, too:
We’ll be doing a very short round of trick-or-treating in our neighborhood this year. My daughter is so excited to go as The Little Mermaid. My son doesn’t enjoy costumes but loves sitting outside at night with us, handing out goodies.
I hope you have a great week and a fun and safe Halloween!
Abby