Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili + Halloween Party Ideas for Adults

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Casillero del Diablo Wines. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hi, friends! Boy, do I have a fun post for you today! I’m sharing all of my best Halloween Party Ideas for Adults, including a delicious Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili recipe that is perfect for feeding a crowd! With a dash of red wine and plenty of seasonal flavors, this easy recipe is a comforting way to celebrate the season with friends, and it’s simple enough for a busy weeknight dinner with family. Are you ready to get in the spirit?!

Did you catch my post last week where I shared my recipe for “Hallowine” Sangria? I mentioned that I served that refreshing beverage at our recent Halloween party, and today I’m back with the full details from our fun Saturday night.

This was an easy gathering to host, since I used a bunch of shortcuts and prepped almost everything in advance. After all, my weekends are full of soccer games and multiple kids’ activities, so it doesn’t exactly leave much time for fussing around in the kitchen.

I started by adding some festive touches to the outside of our house. I wanted my guests to get a little peek at what they were about to walk into!

I even added this creepy guy to my traditional fall wreath on the front door. Boo!

And of course, I met each guest with a festive adult beverage to get in the spirit! “Hallowine” Sangria…

as well as some of the other Casillero del Diablo Wines! As I mentioned in my previous post, this wine is absolutely perfect for a Halloween party (and it’s a great “treat” for adults after taking the kids trick-or-treating)! The “Diablo” wine is known as “the wine protected by the Devil,” based on The Legend of Don Melchor de Concha y Toro. What could be better for a fun and creepy holiday gathering?! Plus, your guests will love the taste and exceptional quality of the wines, which have won numerous “Best Buy” awards. There are a variety of available products to satisfy everyone’s tastes!

I made sure to have plenty of food to pair nicely with our wine as well. Crackers, grapes, and a sharp Romano cheese,

a tray with prosciutto, creamy Brie cheese, dried apricots, and more crackers,

veggies and store-bought pumpkin hummus,

olives and mixed nuts,

a spicy Tex-Mex snack mix,

and the “main course” — this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili! I just kept the chili warm throughout the event and let my guests help themselves to the toppings (corn chips, cheese, hot sauce, and more)! I even used the Casillero del Diablo Merlot in the chili, which tied all of the food and drink together nicely. Best of all, it was an easy, seasonal option that I could prep in advance so that I didn’t have to worry about cooking while my friends were over!

And what’s a Halloween party without dessert?! To keep it simple, I bought a huge cheesecake from Costco and used a tube of black icing to draw a spider web on the top. Instant Halloween touch — no artistic skills necessary!

I also bought some big chocolate chip cookies at Costco and just decorated them with some orange frosting and Halloween sprinkles. Fun!

Plus plenty of candy…because it’s Halloween!

Have you tried the sea salt chocolate candy corn?!

Some of my guests arrived in costume,

while others just opted to “dress up” with the easy props that I set out on the table. I didn’t want my grown-up friends to have to worry about coming in costume if they didn’t want to! These masks all came from the Dollar Spot bins at Target!

We had SUCH a fun time! Everyone loves Halloween, but we often spend the entire holiday focused just on our kids. I highly recommend that you change that this year! Invite your friends over to celebrate the season, drink some wine, and enjoy some tasty (and easy) party food.

And don’t forget to send everyone home with a grown-up Trick-or-Treat bag! Candy and costumes aren’t just for children…

Have a wonderful, safe holiday! And even if you’re not hosting a big bash, I strongly encourage you to throw a batch of this chili in the Crock Pot and enjoy a glass of Merlot alongside (you’ll have plenty left in the bottle after you make the dinner). It’s so easy, so delicious, and you won’t be disappointed!

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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili + Halloween Party Ideas for Adults

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes

Servings 8 -10

Author The Seasoned Mom

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 1 onion diced
• 2 15 ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 15 ounce cans corn, drained
• 2 14.5 ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin
• ¼ cup Del Diablo Merlot or other similar red wine
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Beef broth chicken broth, or water to thin the chili if desired
• Optional for serving: corn chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, or green onions

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain fat off of beef and transfer meat to a 5-6-quart slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Check consistency of chili when it’s done. If you prefer a thinner, more soup-like consistency, stir in some broth or water, as desired and heat through.
4. Top individual bowls of chili with corn chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, and green onions, as desired.

Are you ready to celebrate now?! Casillero del Diablo is partnering with costume retailer Spirit Halloween to offer shoppers a discount on Halloween costumes and decorations and a chance to win a DSLR camera by entering their Legendary Costume Contest on Facebook. But don’t wait too long — the contest ends on October 31!