If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos while easing out of Halloween and into the season of family and remembrance, this Coco Dinner and a Movie night is the perfect way to do it! I chose Coco as this week’s Disney date night because, honestly, after ten weeks of Halloween, I wasn’t quite ready to dive into Christmas just yet. This felt like the perfect way to pause and celebrate the vibrance of Mexican culture while enjoying an unforgettable night in.
The atmosphere I created is a blend of cozy and festive—ideal for honoring the spirit of the season. Growing up in Southern California, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing Mexican food. So, I knew if I was going to bring Coco to life through food, I wanted to go all out with dishes that truly embody the flavors of Mexican cuisine. I spaced the prep out over three days and made everything from scratch - the dips, the tamales, the beans (starting with a soak!), the rice, and, of course, the churros. Each dish was an ode to the cuisine I grew up loving and a celebration of the food I cherish.
All of these recipes can be found in my Just Keep Cooking Dinner and a Movie Digital Cookbook, where I bring the flavors and magic of Disney-inspired meals to life with easy-to-follow steps for every dish. This Coco Dinner and a Movie night is about more than the food - it’s an experience that brings loved ones together. My hope is that you will feel inspired to explore Mexican cuisine, try your hand at something spicy, and connect through the power of shared food and memories. Let this guide take you step-by-step into creating a magical evening that’s as full of flavor as it is heart.
Just Keep Cooking: Dinner & a Movie Cookbook *Instant Download*
$27.99
Embark on a delightful culinary journey with "Just Keep Cooking: A Culinary Tribute to Animation," the ultimate Dinner & a Movie Cookbook for animation enthusiasts and foodies alike! This one-of-a-kind ebook instantly brings the whimsical world of P I X… read more
The Inspiration Behind a Coco Movie Night
What inspired this Coco Dinner and a Movie Night most was the sheer brilliance of color and rich cultural elements showcased in the film. Growing up, I was lucky enough to have very close friends who would bring tamales every year during the holidays, and I knew how deeply embedded that tradition is within Mexican families and the culture itself. That’s why I wanted to go all in for this meal and make everything from scratch, especially the tamales. And boy am I SO glad I did! This traditional dish turned out so dang good! And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney-inspired dinner without churros, which I also made from scratch. Dare I say, they might even be better than Disney’s - (way better, but shhhhh.)
This meal isn’t just a set of recipes; it’s a timeline of cooking and creation, filled with the flavors, traditions, and spirit that Coco celebrates.
Menu Overview
For this Coco Dinner and a Movie Night, each dish was chosen with intention, reflecting a balance between traditional Mexican flavors and Disney-inspired touches. Tamales and churros felt essential to honor Día de los Muertos traditions, as both are festive foods often enjoyed during this time. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney date night without the classic Disneyland churro element!
This meal was a three-day labor of love. I definitely could have crammed all the prep work into 2 days, or gotten a few store bought items to take out some of the work, but I really just wanted to throw myself into this meal!
The Appetizers
On Tuesday, I started with all of the salsas. Growing up, I didn’t handle spice well – if it was spicier than ketchup, I didn’t want any part of it! But over the years, I’ve been inspired by friends who make incredible Mexican food. We have one friend that seriously makes the best salsa in the entire world. I don’t think I will ever be able to replicate it, but I have finally refined my own recipe to come close, and for me that is a win.
Because I am extra - I didn’t just make ONE thing to serve with chips, I made FOUR - A Roasted Habanero Salsa, Pico De Gallo, Guacamole, and Elote Dip.
The Main Course
On Wednesday, I made the bulk of our feast. I woke up and got to soaking the corn husks for the tamales, and the beans. I had never made tamales by myself, from scratch before - and it was a serious mission, but so worth it! My husband asked for green chili chicken and cheese, and I opted for a red pork. My husband hung out in the kitchen watching the Sharks Hockey game for the hours it took for me to wrap each tamale. Once I had the tamales wrapped and in the steamer, I started the beans. From start to finish, this whole process took me about 8 hours, but there was a lot of down time when things were cooking or soaking. Never the less -- the time was absolutely worth it. The extra care to make the beans and the tamales from scratch were the game changer in this meal.
Since I did all the prep work the two days prior, our actual date night was a breeze! When we were ready for dinner, all I had to do was arrange the chips and dips board, and warm up the food I had prepared the day before. I also whipped up a cilantro lime rice.
What would Coco Dinner and a Movie Night be without Dessert?
Of course we finished off the night with some churros from scratch, and they were so so good.
Beyond the authentic flavors, I added some playful elements to celebrate Coco’s vibrancy. I made a layered margarita inspired by the film’s bold colors and included homemade sugar skulls as garnishes. I also crafted white chocolate skulls, hand-decorated for a sugar skull effect that truly made this dinner come alive.
From the warm, spicy salsa to the rich tamales and Disney-inspired churros, this menu brings Coco to the table with a mix of tradition, creativity, and a lot of heart.
Bing the Magic Home
If I am being completely honest with you, this was the most time consuming meal I have ever made, but it was also the meal I am most proud of. Every single dish had so much flavor, and I am just so proud to have made all of these dishes - and I just know that you and your family will feel the same!!
Ready to create your own unforgettable Coco Dinner and a Movie Night? All the recipes and inspiration you need are waiting in my Just Keep Cooking Dinner and a Movie Digital Cookbook! If tamales are too tall an order for you, I have also included the recipe for green chicken chili enchiladas - they are equally as good, but take a fraction of the time. This cookbook offers the chance to bring rich, bold flavors to life, giving you everything you need to share a beautiful meal and meaningful time with family, just as Coco celebrates.
Inside, you’ll find 12 printable menus and 12 planned-for-you dinner and a movie nights, featuring over 40 Pixar-inspired recipes. Each dinner is crafted to make your movie nights as easy as they are memorable. Download the cookbook today and start building magical, delicious experiences that turn any night into something special.
Just Keep Cooking: Dinner & a Movie Cookbook *Instant Download*
$27.99
Embark on a delightful culinary journey with "Just Keep Cooking: A Culinary Tribute to Animation," the ultimate Dinner & a Movie Cookbook for animation enthusiasts and foodies alike! This one-of-a-kind ebook instantly brings the whimsical world of P I X… read more
