Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 22 Fall Dinner Ideas to Make All Season Long Light up your favorite fall candle and get cooking! By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 08, 2024 Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time to say "hello" to all our favorite autumn produce. There’s no moment more exciting than when markets and cafes start breaking out the pumpkin-spiced lattes and apple cider donuts. If you’re planning a trip to your local farm to go pumpkin or apple picking, you’re going to need some inspiration for what to make with all your fresh bounty. Instead of making countless pies, crumbles, and baked goods, consider using some of your produce for some of these mouth-watering fall dinner ideas. Whether you’re looking for weeknight meals or something more adventurous for the weekend, we’ve got you covered. 12 Healthy Fall Recipes Packed With Key Nutrients 01 of 22 Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Christopher Testani Ready in just an hour, this alfredo-infused spaghetti squash is ideal for a busy fall weeknight dinner. The alfredo sauce is low maintenance: Simply stir the cream in a pot and then transfer it to the squash, adding cheese and mixing it all together. Not a fan of Alfredo? Try our red sauce alternative to this vegetarian dish. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 22 Butternut Enchilada Casserole Jennifer Causey You can only use sweet and tender butternut squash for so long—and what better way than in this rich enchilada casserole? A mix of veggies is seasoned with chipotle chile powder, roasted, then stuffed between cheesy layers of corn tortillas and enchilada sauce. Top it all off with fresh cilantro, avocado, and jalapeño and you've got a mouthwatering hearty casserole dish the whole family will devour. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 22 Pork and Kabocha Squash Curry CHRISTOPHER TESTANI Pork shoulder simmers in a Dutch oven until mouthwateringly tender. Curry powder, ginger, garlic, and onion cook with the pork, adding intense flavor to each bite. Serve curry on top of a bed of white rice. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 22 Ricotta Roll-Ups in Creamy Pumpkin Sauce Victor Protasio Consider this a fun, fall take on typical lasagna. If you’re looking for something delicious but different, you will absolutely love this freshly crafted lasagna, filled with herby ricotta, and cooked in a creamy pumpkin sauce. Sage leaves are sprinkled atop the casserole for added flavor and aroma. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 22 Butternut Carbonara Antonis Achilleos Even the most anti-vegetable people will love this classic carbonara that’s loaded with butternut squash. Not only will you get a good serving of vegetables, but the butternut squash adds such a lovely golden hue to the pasta sauce. Plus, honey and thyme add autumnal taste, so you can savor the season while it lasts. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 22 Turkey-Pumpkin Chili Caitlin Bensel Light and lean but full of flavor, this chili will warm your heart and tummy with every spoonful. Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch or dinner, you’ll certainly be satisfied thanks to the ground turkey, pumpkin, and white beans. Complete your chili with your favorite toppings and serve with some crusty bread for the ultimate comfort dish. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 22 Sheet Pan Pierogies With Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Shallots, And Mustard Dressing Want to know the secret to this Polish-inspired meal? Buy a bag of frozen pierogies and cook them on a sheet pan with your favorite autumn veggies, like Brussels sprouts and shallots. The mustard dressing is an absolute must and can be whipped up with just two ingredients. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 22 Butternut Squash Bake With Wild Rice Victor Protasio This creamy vegetarian dish is so cozy. The combination of butternut squash, mushrooms, and hearty wild rice baked in a decadent sauce is truly what cozy fall dreams are made of. Plus, you'll need less than a half hour of hands-on time to pull it off. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 22 Four Cheese Lasagna Natasia Hanratty When in doubt, cook up something classic like this four-cheese lasagna with beef. Not into meat? No problem, just omit it from the recipe altogether. Throw together a quick salad and some garlic bread for the ultimate Italian dinner. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 22 Cheesy Potato Casserole Alison Miksch When cheese and potatoes get together, you just know it’s gonna be good. If you’re craving something warm and comforting, make this immediately. It’s perfect as a side with a simple protein, or you can just enjoy it on its own. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 22 Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos The fall season is the official kickoff of slow cooker meals. Not only is this dish filled with healthy veggies and beans, but it might just be the easiest meal you’ll ever make. And it's vegetarian, which is another win! You'll top each bowl with sour cream, chives, and corn chips for dipping and crunch. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 22 Classic Chicken and Dumplings Abi Gunasekaran This chicken and dumpling soup may be a labor of love, but for good reason. Whether you’re feeling a tad under the weather or you’re looking to boost your immune system before the cold season ramps up, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy. It's the kind of soup you'll want to savor. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 22 Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew Victor Protasio This warming, Turkish stew combines beef and eggplant, which simmer in a tangy and spicy tomato-based sauce. The meat becomes fork-tender and the eggplant is almost creamy in texture. It's a comfort-food dish that's sophisticated enough for company and could be served atop various grains (think quinoa or brown rice). GET THE RECIPE 14 of 22 Sausage and Mushroom Cassoulet Jennifer Causey Kick autumn off right with this hearty cassoulet that'll have everyone coming back for seconds. Flavorful kielbasa, hearty cannellini beans, and your choice of mushroom meld together with carrots, onions, and thyme in this classic meal. Topped with crispy panko and creamy Parmesan, this is one recipe you'll come back to again and again through the colder months of the year. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 22 Apricot-Fresno Glazed Chicken Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Hall Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Warm up a chilly fall evening with this sweet and spicy chicken dish. Fresno chiles are in season just in time for autumn, and the apricot preserves that give this dish its sticky sweetness are available all year round. Use the glaze on chicken breasts, thighs, or wings, and swap in pineapple or orange preserves if apricot isn't your jam. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 22 Spinach-and-Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos If you love spinach and artichoke dip, then you're going to love this hearty vegan casserole. The added quinoa ensures you get enough protein to call it a meal. It's all topped with salty crushed kettle chips that are broiled till golden. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 22 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Greg DuPree This cozy number is so simple to throw together and takes less than an hour to make, thanks to store-bought pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Plus, you'll likely have dinner covered tomorrow night too with leftovers. Fresh parsley, basil, and chives top the casserole for a delightful earthy taste, plus fresh lemon juice brightens up each bite. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 22 One-Pot Curry Chicken Thighs and Cilantro Caitlin Bensel One-pot dinners are the perfect option for weeknights when you really don't want to cook or clean up. This delicious chicken meal has three main components: curry chicken, cilantro lime rice, and creamy sauce. The sauce is made with peanut butter, lime juice, tamari, sugar, and coconut milk, bringing the dish together. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 22 Slow-Cooker Beef and Noodle Curry Fred Hardy The slow cooker ensures the beef chunks become fall-apart tender and that you're only in the kitchen for 20 minutes. Besides the curry paste, onion, fresh ginger, and lime juice bring lots of flavor to the bowl. Garnish with basil before serving. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 22 Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie Greg DuPree This recipe for chicken pot pie will make your next weeknight meal a breeze. You'll start with a rotisserie chicken, which cuts prep time way down. The creamy filling is made with chicken broth, sautéed vegetables, and flour for thickening. Flaky store-bought puff pastry is simply cut into squares and scattered across the top and baked until golden. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 22 Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey Ten minutes of hands-on time is all it takes to get the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. Ingredients include chicken broth, chicken breasts, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, and spices. Top each bowl with all the toppings your heart desires. (Read: lots of cheese and sour cream, and tortilla strips for crunch!) GET THE RECIPE 22 of 22 Red Lentil Curry José Picayo If you love curry, there’s a good chance you’ll be adding this dish to your weekly dinner rotation. Say goodbye to Indian takeout and simmer your own pot of red lentils, warm spices, and root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and ginger. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit