Festive Pumpkin Halloween Plate

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Meals

This autumn-inspired dish features tender roasted pumpkin slices arranged alongside bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion to create a vibrant lantern presentation. Seasoned with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, the vegetables caramelize beautifully in the oven. Garnished with fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds, this plate offers a festive yet wholesome combination perfect for holiday occasions. Preparation is simple and yields a visually striking, flavorful serving ideal for sharing.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:51:00 GMT
Roasted Pumpkin Lantern Halloween Plate, a vibrant vegetarian treat featuring colorful roasted vegetables. Save
Roasted Pumpkin Lantern Halloween Plate, a vibrant vegetarian treat featuring colorful roasted vegetables. | moonthyme.com

A festive and fun dish featuring roasted pumpkin and colorful vegetables arranged to resemble a jack-o-lantern&mdashperfect for a Halloween celebration.

I love creating this Pumpkin Lantern Plate every Halloween to bring a smile to my family's faces with its colorful and festive look.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 1 small round pumpkin (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices, 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips, 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips, 1 small zucchini, sliced into rounds, 1 small red onion, sliced into thin wedges
  • Seasonings: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garnishes: 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange pumpkin slices:
Arrange the pumpkin slices in a large circle on the baking sheet to form the shape of a pumpkin face.
Outline face:
Use bell pepper strips to outline the eyes, nose, and mouth of the jack-o-lantern. Fill in with zucchini and red onion for color and contrast.
Season vegetables:
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, then sprinkle with smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Roast:
Roast in the oven for 25&ndash30 minutes, until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
Transfer to platter:
Carefully transfer the roasted lantern to a serving platter, maintaining the jack-o-lantern face.
Garnish and serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds before serving.
Vivid image of a delicious Pumpkin Lantern Halloween Plate, bursting with roasted vegetables and smoky spices. Save
Vivid image of a delicious Pumpkin Lantern Halloween Plate, bursting with roasted vegetables and smoky spices. | moonthyme.com

Making this Pumpkin Lantern Plate always brings the family together to enjoy the festive spirit and delicious tastes.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, Parchment paper, Chefs knife, Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains seeds (pumpkin seeds). Recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Check all packaged ingredients for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 2 g per serving

Halloween Pumpkin Lantern Plate showcasing a colorful, perfectly roasted vegetable arrangement ready to serve. Save
Halloween Pumpkin Lantern Plate showcasing a colorful, perfectly roasted vegetable arrangement ready to serve. | moonthyme.com

This Pumpkin Lantern Plate is a perfect centerpiece for your Halloween table and a delicious autumn treat.

Recipe FAQ

What type of pumpkin should I use?

Use a small, round pumpkin about 2 lbs, peeled and sliced. It should be firm and dense for roasting.

Can I substitute the vegetables?

Yes, carrots or eggplant can be used as alternatives to create similar textures and colors.

How do I achieve the caramelized texture?

Roast the vegetables at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, allowing natural sugars to caramelize without burning.

What spices complement the dish?

Smoked paprika and ground cumin add a warm, smoky flavor that enhances the roasted vegetables.

Are there allergen considerations?

This dish contains toasted pumpkin seeds, so avoid if you have seed allergies. It's naturally gluten- and dairy-free.

Festive Pumpkin Halloween Plate

A colorful autumn dish showcasing roasted pumpkin and vegetables in a festive presentation.

Prep Time
25 min
Time to Cook
30 min
Total Duration
55 min
Created by Lydia Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Portions 4 Serving Size

Diet Info Plant-Based, No Dairy, No Gluten

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 1 small round pumpkin (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices
02 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips
03 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips
04 1 small zucchini, sliced into rounds
05 1 small red onion, sliced into thin wedges

Seasonings

01 2 tbsp olive oil
02 1 tsp smoked paprika
03 1/2 tsp ground cumin
04 Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnishes

01 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
02 1 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Set the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Arrange pumpkin slices: Place pumpkin slices in a large circle on the prepared baking sheet to create a pumpkin face outline.

Step 03

Add facial features with vegetables: Use red and yellow bell pepper strips to outline eyes, nose, and mouth of the jack-o-lantern. Fill remaining space with zucchini rounds and red onion wedges for color contrast.

Step 04

Season the vegetables: Drizzle olive oil evenly over the arranged vegetables. Sprinkle smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper on top.

Step 05

Roast vegetables: Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until all vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 06

Transfer to serving platter: Carefully move the roasted arrangement onto a serving plate, keeping the jack-o-lantern face intact.

Step 07

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds over the top before serving.

Tools Needed

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board

Allergen Details

Review every ingredient for allergens and ask a medical professional when unsure.
  • Contains seeds (pumpkin seeds). Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Verify all packaged ingredients for allergens.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

These details are for reference only, and shouldn't replace healthcare advice.
  • Energy: 120
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 2 g