This post has been sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are 100% our own.
The first holiday of the season is upon us! Time to start breaking out all those adorable ideas from your Halloween Pinterest board and make some memories…and possibly some Pinterest fails? Just remember, they’re kids, so don’t stress mamma! It’s not about perfection, it’s about the experience. See how to create my easy, stress free and above all FUN kid friendly Halloween meal!
Cheesy Pumpkin Spaghetti Stuffed Jack O’ Lanterns
Stuffed peppers are always a hit with the kiddos. So make them a little extra spooky and delicious this year by turning them into cute Jack O’ Lanterns and stuffing them with my Cheesy Pumpkin Spaghetti made complete with Sprouts Farmers Market’s Pumpkin Pasta Sauce.
Ingredients:
- 6 oz spaghetti
- 8 orange bell peppers (test these as you’re purchasing to make sure they sit up straight)
- 3/4 cup ricotta
- pinch of salt
- pinch of pepper
- 3/4 cup Sprouts Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella
- freshly chopped basil for topping
Directions:
- Bring water to a boil and cook spaghetti to al dente per package directions. Drain when done and set to the side.
- While spaghetti is cooking, preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
- Cut tops off bell peppers, remove seeds and ribs. Using a small knife, carefully cut Jack O’ Lantern eyes, nose and mouth into bell peppers (some may be lop sided and even break a little bit in the face like mine did – that’s ok! That’s what makes them fun and extra kid friendly).
- Using a hand held mixer, mix ricotta, salt, pepper and Sprouts Pumpkin Pasta Sauce in a bowl until creamy.
- Add spaghetti to sauce mixture and toss until coated.
- Holding a bell pepper in one hand and using a fork in your dominant hand, twirl the spaghetti on the fork and carefully stuff pepper. Place in baking dish. Continue until spaghetti is evenly distributed and all bell peppers are filled.
- Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 mins.
- Remove foil, top bell peppers with shredded mozzarella and continue baking for 8-10 mins or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, let cool and top with fresh chopped basil.
Kid Friendly Mummy Meatballs
These were a must from my Pinterest board this year. HOW CUTE!? And this recipe/craft are definitely easy enough that they won’t result in a Pinterest fail (although, those are always kid friendly too!). Also a great one to get the kids involved with – just prep your meatballs ahead of time and let them roll the mummies themselves.
Use any of your favorite meatball recipes (psst…try my Autumn Meatballs with Pumpkin Pasta Sauce!) or even use pre-made meatballs for last-minute mummies. Be sure to serve alongside Sprouts Pumpkin Pasta Sauce for dipping!
Check out the full Meatball Mummy tutorial from Spend with Pennies – she even has a different take on the eyeballs. Mine were just what I had on hand which was cheese sticks and bits of olives. I just used little pieces of spaghetti as my edible toothpicks.
Chocolate Filled Witches Hats
One thing I’ve learned with a kiddo at home: if crescent rolls or puff pastry are involved, they will eat it! (Ok…so maybe I didn’t need a kiddo to know that one…). These adorable Chocolate Filled Witches Hats fit the bill and are perfect for any time of day. Try them as an after dinner treat, lunch box surprise or even Halloween breakfast!
Make these Pillsbury Chocolate Crescent Witches Hats even yummier by schmeering a dab of Sprouts Maple Pumpkin Butter on the inside before placing your chocolate chips! YUMMY!
Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites
Not sure if your kid is like mine but if she sees the whole pie…she will want the whole pie. So, these Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites make a classic pumpkin pie bite size and kid friendly.
They literally could not be easier. Make or purchase your favorite pumpkin pie and use a small circle cookie cutter to punch into the pie, making sure to cut all the way through the crust at the bottom. When removing cookie cutter, push from the bottom all the way through so you’re pushing the crust up through versus sticking your finger down into the pie. Top with some whip cream and Sprouts Pumpkin Pie Spice. Perfect for little sticky fingers.
Ghost Towel
Speaking of sticky fingers…napkins and paper towels are a must at any kid friendly meal. Why not make it festive?
All you need is a napkin or paper towel, small cup and sharpie. Simply place cup regular side up in the middle of a napkin/towel and fold in around the cup, stuffing into top of cup to hold. Use your sharpie to create your ghostly face. Voila – another fun activity to get the kids involved or surprise them Halloween evening before trick-or-treating!
For more Pumpkin Recipes check out my Fall Party Pumpkin Recipes: Apps, Dessert & Cocktail post!
