We’re not supposed to play favorites, but there’s just about fall dinner recipes that makes autumn our favorite season of the year (hello, comfort food!). Don’t get us wrong, we love summer grilling recipes and spring’s bounty of bright and beautiful greens — but hearty fall soups, harvest salads, and cozy pasta recipes really warm our hearts (and fill our bellies!). Not to mention the overflow of apples, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and winter squash popping up. With so many fall fruits and vegetables to cook with, the family dinner ideas are endless this season.
Whether you’re up for protein-focused fall recipes or on the hunt for vegetarian autumn recipes, the meals on our list will satisfy every taste. Some of the picks you’ll find in our roundup are vegetable based (like butternut squash, cauliflower, and kale dishes), while others fill your bowl with pasta (bring on the Chickpea and Kale Rigatoni!) and creamy risotto. We’ve also gathered some kid-friendly fall dinner recipes to please even the pickiest eaters, as well as our favorite fall dinner party ideas to make over the weekend. Who can resist? Make the most of what’s in season with these uncomplicated fall dinner ideas.
Slow cooked chicken and beans make for a protein-packed stew. Get cozy and get cooking.
Onions, slowly cooked until deep brown and caramelized, give this classic its distinctive flavor. Great for a party, this recipe is easily doubled; simply cook the onions in two skillets.
A comforting bowl of this Italian classic now requires zero effort with the help from a multi-cooker. Top with any flavors you fancy: Pesto, lemon zest, peas, or a fried egg will all do the trick.
Butternut squash and a rich nutty dressing will convince you to introduce this vegetarian dinner to your fall meal routine.
A twist on classic coq au vin made with pink wine, this crowd-pleaser is loaded with mushrooms and bacon too.
Reason no. 765 to invest in an Instant Pot: A bowl of this cozy, hearty stew will be ready in 35 minutes flat.
These tender braised Instant Pot short ribs are the newest star of weeknight dinner: No effort required.
Step aside, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese. Meet the epic mashup of these two nostalgic diner meals.
Get the recipe for Patty Melts »
Skip the spaghetti! These jazzed-up meatballs are served over a bed of roasted tomatoes, feta, and herby couscous.
Creamy rice cooked in coconut milk is the perfect rich partner to a golden-brown pork chop.
This five-ingredient favorite showcases the season’s forever trendy vegetable: cauliflower.
Boxed pasta transforms into a restaurant-worthy main, with a little help from smoky bread crumbs, crispy chickpeas, and melty Manchego.
Bring a baguette to the table, so everyone can sop up all of this creamy miso-mushroom sauce.
Packed with all the good stuff, like antioxidant-rich berries, Swiss chard and 100% whole grains, this vegetarian main is hearty enough to keep you satisfied good for your heart, too.
Whether you do your apple picking at the orchard or grocery store, make the most of your fresh-picked bounty by turning it into tonight’s dinner.
The caramelized butternut squash and crispy roast chicken pieces in this salad make turning on the oven 100% worth it.
Cauliflower, broth, and farro cook over a low simmer before you mix in beans and fresh herbs in this one-dish wonder.
Master the art of this creamy shallot-thyme pan sauce, and your fall nights will be infinitely better. Spoon it over pork chops, steaks, and roasted chicken thighs for a hit of peppery decadence.
Corn kernels, bell peppers, and fresh thyme leaves add pops of fall color to a package of store-bought ravioli.
Topped with fried sage and shiitake mushrooms, this pumpkin bowl of comfort (made with onions, nutmeg, and fresh ginger) is the ultimate sophisticated soup.
Take advantage of the fall harvest by substituting squash for carb-heavy pasta.
Stock your pantry with canned chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and cured Spanish chorizo, so you’re always ready to make this flavor-packed, 20-minute stew.
With the temps dropping, it makes sense to stay inside and cook up some homemade pasta with your amore. If you want a bowl , though, opt for store-bought noodles.
Because this frittata features so much mozzarella, marinara, and kale, it’s easy to serve up eggs and call it dinner.
This combination of roasted cauliflower and marinated kale is brought to a whole new level with the addition of sweet golden raisins, crunchy pine nuts, and sharp pieces of feta.
Swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth and this satisfying soup becomes vegan, .
Skip the jarred marinara sauce and spread tapenade on your crust before piling on the toppings. Pizza night just got a lot more interesting.
Turn last night’s mashed potatoes into tonight’s cozy soup, flavored with leeks, fennel, and garlic.
This recipe is for Monday Night Football: The beef brisket cooks up in the Crock Pot while you’re at the office, so all you have to do is shred the meat and top with sauerkraut and sliced Swiss when you get home. Touchdown!
Transform your fridge’s odds and ends (think: leftover roasted squash, apples, carrots and salami) into tonight’s dinner. Cut everything into pieces, then toss with kale and arugula greens. Pro tip: Turn stale bread into crispy croutons by cutting slices into cubes and baking in a 400°F oven until dry and crisp, about 10 minutes.
