9 Easy Halloween Recipes With Ground Beef For Spooky Dinners

Q: What are some healthy Halloween dinner ideas using ground beef?

For a healthier option, try the Texas-Style Chili, which is packed with protein. You can also make the Spooky Spider Meatballs or Mummy Meat Loaves by using lean ground beef, adding extra finely grated vegetables like carrots and zucchini to the mix, and serving them with a side of steamed green beans "witch fingers."

Q: Can I make these Halloween ground beef recipes ahead of time?

Yes! The meatballs for the Spooky Spiders can be fully cooked and stored in the fridge; just reheat and decorate before serving. The Texas-Style Chili tastes even better the next day. You can also prepare the meat fillings for the Quesadillas and Pizza Skulls a day in advance to save time.

Q: How do you make a Feet Loaf that doesn't fall apart?

The key to a sturdy Feet Loaf is using enough binders. Ensure you have the right ratio of breadcrumbs and egg to meat—about 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 2 eggs per 2 lbs of ground beef. Also, don't overmix the ingredients, as this can make the meatloaf tough. Chilling the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping also helps it hold its form during baking.

Struggling to find a Halloween dinner that’s more treat than trick? The pressure is on. Between finding the perfect costumes, carving pumpkins, and managing the inevitable sugar rush, figuring out a special, festive meal can feel like one task too many. You want to make the day memorable, but the thought of a complicated recipe is enough to make any parent scream.

The usual weeknight dinners feel boring, but elaborate, Pinterest-perfect meals seem completely out of reach. You need something that hits that sweet spot: spooky and fun enough for the kids, hearty and delicious enough for the adults, and—most importantly—simple enough to whip up without losing your mind before the first trick-or-treaters arrive.

Forget boring weeknight meals this October! Transform your Halloween dinner into a memorable event with spooky, easy-to-make ground beef recipes like Mummy Meat Loaves, Jack-o’-Lantern Cheeseburgers, and Spooky Spider Meatballs. These dishes are designed for maximum fun with minimal fuss, using an affordable ingredient you likely already have on hand.

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Struggling to Find a Halloween Dinner That’s More Treat Than Trick?

The whirlwind of Halloween activities can leave even the most organized person feeling frazzled. You want to create magical memories, but you also need to get a satisfying meal on the table. As a busy parent who loves making holidays special, I’ve spent years finding the perfect balance between festive fun and weeknight-easy. These are my go-to recipes that always win. They rely on simple, accessible ground beef to create main courses that are both festive and filling, ensuring your little ghouls and goblins have something substantial in their bellies before they head out for a night of candy collecting. Forget the stress and embrace the fun with these spooktacularly simple dinner ideas.

9 Easy Halloween Recipes With Ground Beef For Spooky Dinners (Updated October 2025)

Ready to turn a simple pound of ground beef into a Halloween masterpiece? This list is your ultimate guide to a spooky and delicious dinner. Each recipe has been curated and tested to ensure it’s not only visually impressive but also delicious and simple enough for a busy Halloween evening. From “cute-spooky” ideas perfect for toddlers to “gruesome-fun” dishes that will delight older kids and adults, there’s something here for every family. Get ready to find your new favorite Halloween tradition!

Spooky Spider Meatballs
Boo-tastic Halloween Quesadillas
Yummy Mummy Beef Pizzas
Texas-Style Chili
Halloween Jack-o’-lantern Cheeseburgers
Mummy Meat Loaves
Stuffed Pizza Skulls
Halloween Feet Loaf
Mac’n’Cheese Spider Bites with Ground Beef

1. Spooky Spider Meatballs

You can easily transform classic meatballs into creepy crawly spiders by baking them and then decorating them with bell pepper legs and olive eyes. This kid-friendly recipe is a perfect way to add a simple spooky touch to a familiar favorite like spaghetti.

Pin this spooky-cute idea for a fun Halloween dinner!

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup shredded zucchini, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, 1 can black olives, 1 red bell pepper.
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, zucchini, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Bake meatballs on a non-stick baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. A quality, heavy-duty baking sheet will ensure they cook evenly without sticking.
3. While the meatballs cool slightly, slice the bell pepper into thin strips for the “legs” and halve the black olives.
4. To assemble, stick 8 bell pepper “legs” (4 on each side) into a meatball. Place two small pieces of sliced olive on top for the “eyes.”
5. Serve warm with your favorite marinara “blood” sauce.

Pro-Tip: To make the bell pepper legs stick in easier, use the tip of a small knife to create a small incision for each leg first.

2. Boo-tastic Halloween Quesadillas

Create a fast and festive meal by using Halloween-themed cookie cutters to shape baked beef quesadillas. This is an incredibly quick dinner that allows for easy customization with everyone’s favorite fillings.

Save this super easy recipe for a quick Halloween meal!

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 1 can black beans (rinsed), 1 cup corn (frozen or canned), 2 cups shredded cheese, 8 large flour tortillas.
Instructions:
1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef; drain fat. Stir in taco seasoning and a little water, then add black beans and corn.
2. Spoon the beef mixture and cheese onto one half of each tortilla. Fold over.
3. Bake on a baking sheet at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, until golden and crispy.
4. Let the quesadillas cool for a minute. Using a set of sturdy, sharp Halloween-themed cookie cutters is the key to getting clean shapes like ghosts and bats. Press firmly to cut through the layers.
5. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Pro-Tip: For extra crispy quesadillas, lightly brush the outside of the tortillas with melted butter or oil before baking.

3. Yummy Mummy Beef Pizzas

Make adorable and delicious mini pizzas by using strips of mozzarella string cheese to create mummy bandages over a savory ground beef topping. This interactive recipe is a guaranteed hit with kids, who will love helping to make their own edible mummies.

Add this kid-favorite recipe to your Halloween party board!

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup pizza sauce, 6 sandwich thins (or English muffins), 6 mozzarella string cheese sticks, 1 can sliced black olives.
Instructions:
1. In a large, non-stick skillet, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Stir the pizza sauce into the cooked beef and simmer for 2-3 minutes. A good quality skillet will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
3. Spread the beef mixture evenly over each sandwich thin half.
4. Pull apart the string cheese into thin strips. Drape the cheese strips over the sauce in a crisscross pattern to look like mummy bandages.
5. Place two olive slices on each pizza for the “eyes.”
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Lesson Learned: Don’t completely cover the pizza with cheese “bandages.” Leaving a little red sauce peeking through makes the mummy design stand out more.

4. Hearty Texas-Style Chili

For a chilly Halloween night, a warm and hearty bowl of no-bean Texas-style chili is the perfect comforting meal. You can give it a simple spooky twist by piping sour cream on top in a spiderweb design.

Pin this perfect recipe for a chilly Halloween night!

Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef, 1 large onion (chopped), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 cup chili powder, 2 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, 2 cups beef broth, salt and pepper.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with the onion over medium-high heat. Drain fat.
2. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Bring to a simmer. For a truly rich flavor, simmering low and slow in a heavy-bottomed enameled cast iron Dutch oven makes all the difference.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a spooky touch, pipe sour cream in a spiderweb pattern on top of each bowl.

Pro-Tip: For the best flavor, use a mix of different chili powders, like ancho for smokiness and chipotle for a little heat.

5. Halloween Jack-o’-lantern Cheeseburgers

The easiest way to make a Halloween hamburger is to cut a jack-o’-lantern face into a slice of cheese before melting it on the burger patty. This simple trick elevates a classic weeknight dinner into a festive meal in seconds.

Save this genius idea for an easy Halloween burger night!

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 6 hamburger buns, 6 slices of American or cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, your favorite burger toppings.
Instructions:
1. Form the ground beef into 6 equal-sized patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the burgers on a grill or in a skillet to your desired doneness.
3. While the burgers cook, prepare the cheese. Using the tip of a small, sharp paring knife is essential for this step. Carefully cut out two triangles for eyes, a smaller triangle for a nose, and a jagged mouth from each slice of cheese.
4. During the last minute of cooking, place one cheese “face” onto each burger patty and allow it to melt slightly.
5. Serve immediately on toasted buns with your favorite toppings.

Pro-Tip: Use pre-sliced, individually wrapped cheese slices. They are firm enough to cut easily but melt perfectly over the hot burger patty.

6. Mummy Meat Loaves

Create adorable, individual portions by baking mini meatloaves in a muffin tin and wrapping them in thin strips of puff pastry to look like mummies. This is a creative and hearty main course that is perfectly portioned for kids and adults alike.

Pin this adorable mummy recipe for a fun Halloween dinner!

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 egg, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, 1 sheet of puff pastry or refrigerated pie crust, frozen peas or olive pieces for eyes.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, mix ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
2. Press the meatloaf mixture into the cups of a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Using a non-stick muffin pan is ideal for easy removal and cleanup.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
4. While baking, unroll your pastry and cut it into thin strips.
5. Remove the meatloaves from the oven and carefully drain any excess grease. Drape the pastry strips over each mini loaf to look like mummy bandages.
6. Return to the oven for another 10-12 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
7. Press two peas or olive pieces into each mummy for eyes before serving.

Lesson Learned: Don’t wrap the raw meatloaf with pastry before the first bake. Baking the meat first prevents the pastry from getting soggy from the meat’s juices.

7. Stuffed Pizza Skulls

For a true showstopper, use a 3D skull-shaped pan to bake pizza dough filled with a ground beef, sauce, and cheese mixture. These gruesome but delicious skulls look incredibly impressive and are perfect for a Halloween party or a special family dinner.

Dare to make this? Pin this spooky recipe for your Halloween party!

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 can refrigerated pizza dough, cooking spray.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain fat. Stir in pizza sauce and set aside.
2. To get the signature shape, you will need a special 3D skull-shaped cake pan or silicone mold. Lightly grease the mold with cooking spray.
3. Unroll the pizza dough and press it into the details of the skull molds, leaving some excess dough around the edges.
4. Fill each skull cavity with the ground beef mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Fold the excess dough over to seal the filling inside.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through. Let cool for a few minutes before carefully inverting the pan to release the skulls.

Pro-Tip: Don’t overfill the molds. Leaving a little space at the top will prevent the filling from bursting out during baking and making a mess.

8. Halloween Feet Loaf

This gruesomely funny recipe involves shaping classic meatloaf into two severed feet, complete with onion toenails and ketchup “blood.” “Feet Loaf” is a classic Halloween meat idea that is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to get a reaction from your family.

Share this gruesomely good recipe if you dare!

Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 1/2 onion (finely chopped), 1/2 cup milk, 2 tbsp ketchup (plus more for garnish), 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, 1 small onion (for toenails), 1 celery stalk (optional, for bone).
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the small onion and celery.
2. On a large, heavy-duty aluminum baking sheet lined with parchment paper, shape the meat mixture into two foot shapes. Use your hands to mold the arch, heel, and individual toes. A rimmed baking sheet is crucial to catch any grease.
3. Cut the small onion into 5 toenail shapes for each foot and press them onto the ends of the toes.
4. If using, stick the celery stalk into the “ankle” end to look like a protruding bone.
5. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Let it rest for a few minutes before drizzling ketchup “blood” around the ankle and on the toes.

Pro-Tip: For a more realistic skin texture, you can brush the top of the feet loaf with a ketchup glaze (ketchup, brown sugar, and a little vinegar) before the last 10 minutes of baking.

9. Mac’n’Cheese Spider Bites with Ground Beef

Create a hearty appetizer or kid-sized meal by mixing cooked ground beef into macaroni and cheese, baking it in a mini muffin pan, and topping each bite with a black olive spider. These cheesy bites are the perfect finger food for a Halloween party or a fun main course for little ones.

Pin this perfect Halloween appetizer or kid’s meal!

Ingredients: 1/2 lb ground beef, 2 cups cooked macaroni, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 egg (beaten), 1/2 cup milk, salt, pepper, 1 can black olives (pitted).
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, beaten egg, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon the mixture into a well-greased non-stick mini muffin pan. Using a 24-cup mini pan creates perfect bite-sized portions for parties or little hands.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and set.
5. While the bites cool, create the spiders. Cut one olive in half lengthwise for the body. Slice another olive half into thin, curved pieces for the legs.
6. Assemble one spider on top of each mac and cheese bite before serving.

Lesson Learned: Let the bites cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before trying to remove them. This helps them hold their shape perfectly.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Spooky Ground Beef Dinners

For Maximum Fun: The Stuffed Pizza Skulls and Halloween Feet Loaf are showstoppers that will have everyone talking.
For Picky Eaters: Yummy Mummy Pizzas and Boo-tastic Quesadillas are familiar favorites with a simple spooky twist.
For a Quick Meal: Spooky Spider Meatballs can be made ahead, and Jack-o’-Lantern Cheeseburgers transform a weeknight staple in seconds.
Get Creative: Simple tools like Halloween cookie cutters, a skull-shaped pan, or even just a sharp knife can turn any ground beef dish into a festive meal.

@chefgenevieve
Edible Raw Ground Beef. Follow for 30 Halloween inspired recipes. Edible Raw Ground Beef 🥩🩸 (Red velvet rice crispy treats) Ingredients: 5 T butter 1lb mini marshmallows 9 cups Rice Krispies Red velvet cake mix (I used Duncan) Deep red gel food coloring 1 T corn syrup 1 T chocolate syrup 8 foam meat trays (6” x 8”) Plastic wrap Avery Shipping labels (3.5” x 4”) Combine corn syrup with chocolate syrup and 2 drops of deep red gel food coloring. Brush the fake blood on some foam trays – you can purchase these on amazon or you can nicely ask your local butcher For the ground meat: To a large pot melt butter with marshmallows Stir until fully melted then pour in red velvet cake mix Once incorporated add a few drops of deep red gel food coloring Shut off the heat then mix in Rice Krispies While still warm form into patties or simply place into your foam trays. If the rice Krispies start to harden just move back to stove on low heat until liable again. Cover your ground beef tightly with plastic wrap then add your labels Labels designed on Avery.com Enjoy! #halloweenfood #halloweeninspo
♬ Mr. Sandman – The Chordettes

FAQs About halloween recipes with ground beef

What are some healthy Halloween dinner ideas using ground beef?

For a healthier option, try the Texas-Style Chili, which is packed with protein. You can also make the Spooky Spider Meatballs or Mummy Meat Loaves by using lean ground beef, adding extra finely grated vegetables like carrots and zucchini to the mix, and serving them with a side of steamed green beans “witch fingers.”

Can I make these Halloween ground beef recipes ahead of time?

Yes! The meatballs for the Spooky Spiders can be fully cooked and stored in the fridge; just reheat and decorate before serving. The Texas-Style Chili tastes even better the next day. You can also prepare the meat fillings for the Quesadillas and Pizza Skulls a day in advance to save time.

How do you make a Feet Loaf that doesn’t fall apart?

The key to a sturdy Feet Loaf is using enough binders. Ensure you have the right ratio of breadcrumbs and egg to meat—about 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 2 eggs per 2 lbs of ground beef. Also, don’t overmix the ingredients, as this can make the meatloaf tough. Chilling the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping also helps it hold its form during baking.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween, make your dinner as exciting as the costumes and candy. With these simple ground beef recipes, you have everything you need to create a spooky, delicious, and unforgettable meal for your family. Which one of these ghoulishly good dishes are you dying to try first? Let me know in the comments below

Last update on 2025-10-29 at 02:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API