Enchiladas or lasagna?

The fall cocktail in the Halloween contest with Maker's Mark, apple cider and mmaple syrup. Made it this weekend for a wedding shower. Want to try the ghoulish cocktail with Midori also but haven't yet. For the kids: one huge pot of chili and one baked casserole because there will be a kid who hates chili. Also consider Sloppy Joes, a super easy recipe in the old Betty Crocker Kids' Book. You could call them Bloody Joes if thats not too scary, put ketchup squirts on the paper plates as a trail of blood... please do the candy corn sculptures Candy Corn; Henge as a party game.

Another fabulous idea--and one I will surely need!

Wow - big party!! I've only got a third of that number and all girls so it's easy, but I'm more excited about the adult drink and snack ideas. gingerrroot's Trick-or-treat-tini and Oui,chef's great pumpkin truffles!

Great idea!!!

Lots of alcohol! (for the adult cadre!)

What a great idea! Do you have some ideas for gross toppings-- e.g. blood--what else? I'm somewhat panicked about all these kids (I will have an adult cadre in place).

What about a mashed potato bar. Easy to serve in paper coffee cups and plenty warm for a cool Halloween night. All sorts of toppings that could have "ghoulish" names...Call it a brain bar or a goo bar...15 year olds love that gross stuff...

Thanks everyone!

I'll go along with any answer that involves mac and cheese.

whoa, that is a HUGE party! Definitely go with the pasta. :)

I think a sandwich bar is a good idea. You could do an pulled pork. Assuming you have time to let it braise before the party.

Thanks mrslarkin--a great idea and they's love this also--but there may be close to 50 kids and I want to minimize wear and tear on the chef!

healthierkitchen, thans so much. This is totally perfect!!!

A taco bar. Saute the meat, heat the shells, chop the fillings. Set out a buffet of all the different fixings so the kids can make it themselves. My kids and their friends love this meal.

And I love the pasta ideas, too.

ellenl - this one might be too obvious, but I used to make something like this when my kids were younger and if you use the cheddar, it'd have the nice orange color on top. Make a couple of big pans of this (keep one in oven while other is served), etc.
http://ruhlman.com/?s=simple+macaroni+and+beef

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

What about a butternut squash spiked mac and cheese with a salad? Or a lasagna with pumpkin or butternut squash? I always tend toward a casserole/pasta type thing as those kids can eat! Maybe some mini meatballs that you can bake rather than have to stand and fry?

Make Magazine put out a Halloween issue in 2007. It was filled with crazy cool ideas for Halloween parties; some simple and some mindblowing and complicated. Regardless, it is very inspirational for food and decor ideas.

Here's the link to the online version of the issue:

http://makezine.com/halloween2007/