Is there anything cozier than snuggling up on the couch with a delicious homemade meal and watching a fall-inspired movie? If you've been around for long, you know we love "Fun Friday" dinner and a movie nights to end the week. With fall in full swing, the crisp weather calls for
comfort food and snuggly fall movies—and I’ve curated 30 (15 kid friendly and 15 geared towards grown ups) dinner and movie pairings that are perfect for the season all wrapped up in a free printable.
Today, I’m sharing a full fall Fun Friday recipe: a Harry Potter movie night complete with a magical feast. Want to get the full list of movie night dinner ideas? Keep reading for the recipe, and then download my free printable with all 30 pairings at the end of the post!
This Week’s Dinner & Movie Full Recipe Highlight: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone
Movie: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone
Meal: Roast Chicken & Pumpkin Pasties (with Butterbeer, of course!)Drink Pairing: Hard Apple Cider for adults, Butterbeer for the kids
The world of Harry Potter is filled with magical food—from chocolate frogs to pumpkin juice—but I’ve simplified it into a delicious meal that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Think a cozy roast chicken dinner and flaky pumpkin pasties, just like you’d find in the Hogwarts Great Hall. And no Harry Potter movie night is complete without a frothy mug of Butterbeer, right?
Here’s how to create your own magical feast for your movie night:
Recipe: Roast Chicken & Pumpkin Pasties with Butterbeer
Ingredients for the Roast Chicken:
1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 lemon, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved
Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Ingredients for Pumpkin Pasties:
1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 egg (for egg wash)
For Butterbeer:
Kid-Friendly Version:
1 cup cream soda
2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup
Whipped cream
Adult Version:
Add 1 oz spiced rum or bourbon to the kid-friendly version
For the Hard Apple Cider (Adult Version Only):
Crisp, chilled hard apple cider
Cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Roast Chicken
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub softened butter all over the chicken, both under the skin and on top.
Season generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with lemon wedges, garlic halves, and fresh herbs.
Drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crispy. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Pasties
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into squares (about 4x4 inches).
In a small bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
Place a spoonful of the pumpkin mixture onto the center of each pastry square. Fold them over to form triangles, sealing the edges with a fork.
Brush the tops with egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 3: Whip Up Some Butterbeer
For the kid-friendly version, pour cream soda into mugs, stir in butterscotch syrup, and top with whipped cream.
For the adult version, simply add a shot of spiced rum or bourbon to your Butterbeer. You can also serve hard apple cider for a simple, autumnal pairing.
Get All 15 Movie Night Pairings for Free!
Want to make Fun Friday Movie Nights a fall tradition in your home? I’ve put together 15 cozy dinner and movie pairings, perfect for curling up with your favorite films. From comfort food classics like Philly Cheesesteaks with Silver Linings Playbook to indulgent Pumpkin Ravioli with Stepmom, there’s something for every type of movie lover.
Download the full list for free by clicking here. You’ll get the complete set of dinner ideas, movie suggestions, and drink pairings sent straight to your inbox!
Meal Planning Made Simple
If you’re loving these themed dinner ideas, but want even more easy, family-friendly meals to keep your weeknights running smoothly, check out Meal Planning Made Simple. It’s packed with over 200 dinner ideas that follow my viral weekly themed schedule that take the stress out of figuring out what’s for dinner.
Ready to simplify meal planning? Grab your copy of Meal Planning Made Simple today and make dinnertime a breeze for your busy family.
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