27 Big-Batch Dinners to Feed Everyone Before Halloween

You need a solid meal before the candy starts flowing. Big-batch dinners make that easy when you’ve got a full house and no time for single servings. These recipes are hearty, practical, and built to feed a crowd without making a mess of the kitchen. From casseroles and soups to pastas and slow cooker meals, they cover everything you need to get through the night. Cook once, feed everyone, and worry about the sugar rush later.

Salsa Verde Chicken

Chicken bakes in a tangy salsa verde sauce until tender and juicy. It’s one of those easy, minimal-prep meals that feels home-cooked with barely any work. It pairs well with rice, tortillas, or a side of beans for a simple big-batch dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Lasagna Rollups

Butternut squash, chicken, and spinach fill these lasagna rollups that bake in a creamy sauce until golden. They’re easy to serve and make a great group meal because you can prep everything ahead of time. They taste like fall comfort food in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Rollups

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Ground beef, black beans, tomatoes, and cheese bake into a hearty casserole that’s full of bold flavor. It’s ready in about 40 minutes and perfect for feeding a crowd. This one’s an easy win when you want a filling meal before Halloween festivities.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Taco Lasagna

This layered dinner combines tortillas, beef, beans, and cheese for the ultimate mash-up between tacos and lasagna. It’s simple to make in large batches and easy to slice and serve for a crowd. Great for parties, game nights, or just a fun family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna

Instant Pot Brisket

Tender brisket cooks fast in the Instant Pot and turns out juicy enough to serve on sandwiches, tacos, or as a main dish. It’s a no-stress meal that feeds plenty of people and tastes like it took all day to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Brisket

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Slow-cooked beef gets pulled apart and served with rice, beans, and peppers for a customizable dinner that everyone can build their own way. It’s hands-off, hearty, and a solid choice for big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole

Layers of tortillas, pumpkin puree, cheese, and a hint of spice bake together into a creamy, comforting dinner. It’s easy to assemble, perfect for fall, and a great big-batch meal for feeding everyone before Halloween night kicks off.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole

Italian Meatballs

Juicy meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce that fills the kitchen with that classic Sunday dinner smell. They’re easy to make in big batches and freeze well, so you can feed a crowd now and still have some left for sandwiches later in the week. This one’s perfect for nights when everyone shows up hungry before Halloween festivities begin.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatballs

Chicken Stew

Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy broth make this stew a fall favorite. It’s cozy, filling, and easy to make on the stove, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot. This one feeds a crowd without much effort, so it’s great for chilly nights when you need something hearty before trick-or-treat chaos hits.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew

Pulled Pork Carnitas

Slow-cooked pork gets perfectly tender and shreds easily into juicy carnitas that work for tacos, burritos, or nachos. The crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you handle everything else. This is the kind of big-batch dinner that keeps everyone happy and full before the Halloween fun starts.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Carnitas

Brunswick Stew

Loaded with chicken, vegetables, and a savory tomato base, this Southern-style stew hits every comfort note. It reheats beautifully, making it great for feeding a crowd over a few days. A big pot of this is exactly what you want simmering while the kids sort through candy later.
Get the Recipe: Brunswick Stew

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Crispy tater tots top a creamy chicken and vegetable filling for the kind of comfort food that brings everyone to the table fast. Using leftover chicken keeps things simple, and it bakes up golden and bubbly in under an hour. It’s hearty, crowd-friendly, and makes enough for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Chicken slow-cooks with salsa verde, garlic, and spices until it’s tender enough to fall apart. Serve it over rice, stuff it into tacos, or pile it on top of nachos for a no-fuss dinner that feeds a group with ease. It’s great for meal prep, parties, or casual nights before Halloween.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Sweet Potato Black Bean Coconut Curry

Creamy coconut milk, hearty black beans, and sweet potatoes simmer together in a fragrant curry that feels like comfort in a bowl. It’s a one-pot meal that feeds a crowd without making a mess, and it tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Black Bean Coconut Curry

Chickpea Curry

This quick curry comes together with chickpeas, tomato sauce, and a few pantry spices. It’s hearty, easy to double, and packed with protein, making it a great plant-based dinner for busy weeks. Pair it with rice or flatbread for a full meal that’s simple but flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Curry

Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Spinach and cheese get tucked into lasagna noodles and baked in a creamy sauce until golden and bubbling. They’re easy to serve and look impressive on the table, which makes them perfect for feeding a group before Halloween parties or game nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Butter Chicken Biryani

Layers of creamy butter chicken and fragrant rice steam together to create a dish that’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels special but can easily feed a house full of people. A big pan of this won’t last long once it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Butter Chicken Biryani

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

This fried rice combines juicy shrimp, tender chicken, and vegetables in a buttery garlic sauce. It’s filling, quick to make in large portions, and beats takeout any night of the week. Great for a crowd when you need something fast but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Lentil Patties

These hearty lentil patties are easy to make ahead and great for serving a mix of eaters. They crisp up nicely in the pan and hold together well for sandwiches or wraps. They’re a budget-friendly, protein-packed option when you’re cooking for a group.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Patties

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Layers of ziti, sausage, ricotta, and melted mozzarella bake into a bubbly casserole that screams comfort. It’s easy to double for larger gatherings and always hits the spot before a long night of Halloween plans. This one never disappoints a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage

Tagliatelle Bolognese

A slow-cooked meat sauce made with beef, pork, and pancetta clings to every strand of tagliatelle. It’s rich, hearty, and great for feeding a group of hungry people. A pot of this on the stove makes dinner feel easy even when the guest list grows.
Get the Recipe: Tagliatelle Bolognese

Million Dollar Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti dish layers pasta with cheese and a rich meat sauce, then bakes until bubbly and golden. It’s a cross between lasagna and classic spaghetti that stretches to feed a large group without much effort. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Taco Casserole

All the flavors of tacos come together in one cheesy, layered bake that’s easy to make ahead. It’s hearty enough to feed a big table and simple enough to serve straight from the pan. Perfect for casual get-togethers or Halloween week dinners when everyone’s hungry and impatient.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Italian Sausage Pasta

Italian sausage, pasta, and a simple tomato sauce cook together in one pot for a low-effort, high-reward meal. It’s fast, comforting, and makes plenty for leftovers. This one’s perfect for feeding a full house before heading out for Halloween events.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta

Meat Sauce with Olives

A rich tomato-based sauce with ground beef, vegetables, and briny olives makes a great big-batch dinner. It freezes well and pairs easily with pasta or polenta. It’s simple, filling, and great for keeping everyone fed before a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Meat Sauce with Olives

Chicken Lo Mein

Tender noodles get tossed with chicken, vegetables, and a sweet-savory sauce that ties everything together. It’s a quick, crowd-sized dish that tastes even better than takeout and takes less time than waiting for delivery.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lo Mein

Jalapeño Chicken

This chicken dish mixes peaches and jalapeños for a bold flavor that’s both sweet and spicy. It cooks in one skillet and feels like something special without taking much effort. Serve it family-style for a big dinner before the Halloween chaos begins.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken