79 Fall Recipes to Welcome Cooler Weather
Our summer dinner strategy often involves avoiding the kitchen, but the best fall recipes welcome us back. In the early weeks, juicy tomatoes, luscious eggplant, zucchini are still abundant. But as the humidity falls and the weather cools, it’s time to embrace fall’s bounty: roasted squash, sweet potatoes, vibrant greens, and caramelized cauiflower. Below, you’ll find our go-to fall dinner ideas, including easy sheet-pan dinners and one-pot pastas for back to school season, plus luscious fall soups, festive fall dinner party ideas, and all the comfort food we crave during leaf-peeping season.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano1/79Simple Roast Chicken
Welcome back, roast chicken dinners. Of all the fall recipes on the site, this dish might be the one we miss the most when the weather’s too hot to turn on the oven. Pair with fall sides like potatoes au gratin or simple roasted root vegetables.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert2/79
Quick Vegetable Massaman Curry
This shortcut Massaman curry from Epi contributor Leela Punyaratabandhu gets its warmth from red curry paste, a touch of sweetness from Granny Smith apple, richness from coconut milk, and depth from cinnamon and star anise. Total prep time is just 1 hour from start to finish.
- Photo by Colin Price3/79
Apple Cider Pork Pot Roast
This simple Dutch oven braise is one of our most popular October recipes. Tart Granny Smith apples caramelize alongside the shreddable pork roast. A pile of mashed potatoes would be delicious as a side dish.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/79
Chicken Pot Pie With Biscuit Crust
This recipe first appeared in the February 1985 issue of Gourmet, and it’s been one of our readers’ favorite fall dinner recipes ever since.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell5/79
Double-the-Mustard Chicken With Potatoes and Greens
Dijon mustard mixed with honey serves as a sweet-tart marinade for the chicken, while the whole grain mustard adds dynamic pops of flavor to the dressing. It’s an easy fall dinner we make over and over again.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele6/79
Quick Chana Masala
This chana masala recipe has a clever trick: Boiling the canned chickpeas with their liquid helps them mimic the texture you would get from soaking dried ones.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/79
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
This black bean chili is good enough for Sunday football with a crowd but simple and quick enough to make on a weeknight. Top each bowl with grated cheese, cilantro, and scallions, or go with crumbled tortilla chips and sour cream.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege8/79
Creamy One-Pot Pasta With Sausage and Squash
Easy fall recipes like this one are pure comfort in a pot. And here, it’s just one pot: The pasta and the creamy butternut squash sauce with Italian sausage are all cooked together. You don’t even need to boil water. Fewer dishes? Yes, please.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez9/79
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Beans and Guacamole
When all else fails, you can always have sweet potatoes for dinner. This version is extra-satisfying thanks to a topping of black beans and guacamole. But we have about a million other sweet potato topping ideas too.
- Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo10/79
Braised Chicken Legs With Grapes and Fennel
We love anything with Calabrian chile paste, but this new chicken recipe is really special. Some of the grapes break down in the bottom of the pan, lending their juices to the sweet-spicy braising liquid, while the others stay intact, emerging from the oven glistening and burnished.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura11/79
Sausage and Greens Sheet-Pan Dinner
With crispy mini potatoes and hearty greens that are roasted in a sweet-tart mustard dressing, this 25-minute dinner is an easy crowd-pleaser for a busy fall evening.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce12/79
Vegetarian Lasagna
The smart move in this vegetarian lasagna recipe: a quick roasted sauce that concentrates its flavor in the oven.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/79
Spiced Turkey Chili with Spaghetti Squash
Looking for gluten-free options for fall? Spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa powder, this warming bean and turkey chili pairs perfectly with the sweet, earthy flavor of roasted spaghetti squash.
- 14/79
Panko-Crusted Roast Chicken Thighs With Mustard and Thyme
On a busy weeknight, you need an easy chicken recipe that comes with its own side, like this panko-and-Dijon-thyme-butter-crusted chicken with roasted carrots. Serve with apple pie for dessert for maximum fall flavor.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Judy Mancini15/79
Low-Fuss Crispy Roast Chicken
We love a fall recipe that comes with its own build-in side dish.
- Photo by Charles Masters, Food Styling by Suzanne Lenzer16/79
Our Favorite Lasagna With Sausage, Spinach, and Three Cheeses
Invite some friends over for this Italian American comfort food classic. Serve with broccoli rabe or Caesar salad.
- Photo by Dylan James Ho and Jeni Afuso17/79
Speedy Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
It’s not quite lasagna, but this dish is a great weeknight option that the whole family will enjoy.
- Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo18/79
Yogurt and Spice Roasted Salmon
This is just about the easiest way to cook great salmon: You’ll cube it up for maximum surface area, add a spicy yogurt marinade, and cook it super-hot and fast.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell19/79
Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken and Zucchini with Olives and Lemon
This flavorful chicken dish, doused in an olive and chile relish, is a great way to use up whatever zucchini you have lingering.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo20/79
Miso-Squash Ramen
Blending some of the roasted squash into the broth gives this vegetarian ramen velvety richness.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell21/79
Sheet-Pan Pasta Bake With Chicken and Kale
If you’ve ever wished your pasta bakes had more crispy edges, this easy recipe is the answer. So much more crunchy topping per bite!
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz22/79
3-Ingredient Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
If you’ve already made pumpkin bread and you’re not quite ready for pumpkin pie, you might be looking for other ways to use pumpkin purée this fall. The key to balancing the richness of the cream and the sweetness of the pumpkin in this easy pasta sauce is salty, starchy pasta water.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton23/79
Chicken and Potato Gratin With Brown Butter Cream
After sampling this dish, we’re Team Brown Butter Cream for sure.
- Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee24/79
Slow Cooker Ribollita
You can cook with a slow cooker year-round, but it feels especially right in fall, when you’re craving a hearty soup like this one. Ribollita is thickened with bread and redolent with garlic.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi25/79
Sheet-Pan Cumin Chicken Thighs With Squash, Fennel, and Grapes
We’re all about tackling complete fall dinners in one pan. Here, sweet acorn or delicata squash and grapes roast under the cumin-rubbed chicken thighs.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell26/79
Cauliflower Carbonara
Sometimes you just want to eat a lot of pasta. Sometimes, adding veggies—like cauliflower—makes that dinner feel even better.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell27/79
Winter Salad Hummus Bowls
Okay, we know this is called a winter salad, but the truth is, it’s a template for the perfect easy fall dinner too. Take hummus, dress any greens or veg you like with this delicious dressing. Top with our make-ahead Seedy Power Sprinkle and serve with jammy eggs.
- Photo by Kristin Teig28/79
Melted Broccoli Pasta With Capers and Anchovies
Broccoli florets are often a ho-hum side. But melted broccoli is a sauce that’s great with pasta, especially when topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Feel free to spice it up with chile flakes if desired.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell29/79
Lentil and Chicken Soup With Sweet Potatoes and Escarole
Fresh dill and lemon add brightness to this quick and hearty chicken soup, made from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou30/79
Braised Butternut Squash in Spiced Coconut Gravy
This squash dish is special enough to serve as a vegetarian main at Thanksgiving, but easy enough for a random Tuesday. Serve with rice and a side salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich31/79
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Savory mushrooms star in this autumnal dinner. Garnish with a flurry of Parmesan cheese at the table.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley32/79
Pollo Rostizado con Naranja y Chile de Árbol
PBS star Pati Jinich developed this orange-and-chile roast chicken for Epicurious as a part of this leftovers-focused meal plan.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne33/79
Chana Masala Cheese Fries
Even if you’re not a big football fan, this snacky game day dinner is fun to eat.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell34/79
Freeform Chicken Meatballs With Carrots and Yogurt Sauce
If you feel like shaping perfect meatballs is kinda too fussy for a weeknight meal, we agree. That’s why this recipe has you drop dollops of spiced ground chicken onto a sheet pan, where they’ll roast with sweet carrots until everything is golden brown.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad35/79
Chicken Tagine With Apricots and Almonds
This chicken tagine from Gourmet is savory and a little bit sweet, and gently spiced with cinnamon.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi36/79
Sheet-Pan Chicken Saltimbocca with Roasted Potatoes and Crispy Kale
Looks fancy, cooks easy. This entire Italian-inspired dinner is cooked on two baking sheets, so dish duty is quick.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini37/79
10-Minute Sausage Skillet with Cherry Tomatoes and Broccolini
Easy fall recipes require quick-cooking ingredients, like the precooked Italian sausage in this weeknight favorite.
- Photo by Eva Kosmas Flores38/79
Cauliflower Puttanesca
Even if pasta is your love language, sometimes you need a break. This popular recipe pairs cauliflower with the bold and briny sauce.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich39/79
Cod With Miso–Butternut Squash Sauce
The sauce for this fish recipe delivers plenty of flavor thanks to miso and ginger, plus lemon, cilantro, and chili crisp.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson40/79
Pasta Carbonara With Cabbage and Mushrooms
We love keeping cabbage around the house, since it lasts so long in the fridge. This dish has all the comfort of carbonara, with the added savory flavor of mushrooms and ribbons of cabbage.
- Photo by Joe Woodhouse41/79
Dumplings Over a Potato and Mushroom Stew
This vegetarian stew-and-dumplings combo appeared in one of our favorite cookbooks of 2022, Home Food by Olia Hercules..
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton42/79
Vegan Chili
Bulgur helps make this easy meatless chili feel hearty.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele43/79
Air Fryer Salmon With Sweet Tamarind Glaze
Got an air fryer and not sure what to do with it? Start with this easy salmon recipe from Epi contributor Nik Sharma.
- Photo by Quentin Bacon44/79
Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash
It’s useful during fall to know how to roast vegetables. This is a classic method for squash from Ina Garten. You’ll fill the cavity of each gourd with butter and maple syrup. Serve with pork chops or juicy, crispy chicken thighs. Looking for stuffed acorn squash? We have that too.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege45/79
Butternut Squash Soup With Apples and Bacon
It’s not fall until you’ve made a big pot of soup, and this is one of our all-time favorite fall soup recipes. Don’t skip the garnishes.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks46/79
Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout With Cheesy Polenta
Creamy polenta meets the ideal fall combo of mushrooms and earthy-sweet parsnips.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele47/79
Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts Salad With Spiced Maple Vinaigrette
Another air fryer recipe, this time featuring one of the fall vegetables that air fryers do best.
- Photo by Con Poulos48/79
Maple and Chile Roasted Squash With Quinoa Tabouli
Brush butternut squash with maple-chile oil before roasting, then top with a lemon-tahini dressing and herby quinoa.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce49/79
White Chicken Chili
A quick, one-pot family fave: creamy white chicken chili with beans and corn. Add a wedge of cornbread—being sure to preheat the skillet first—if you have a little extra time to prep.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio50/79
Harissa-Roasted Eggplant With Fried Capers
Eggplant isn’t over just because fall is arriving. Served with this combo of harissa and cherry preserves, it’s really a showstopper.
- Photo by Nassima Rothacker51/79
Butternut Squash With Red Lentils and Tamarind
Masoor dal meets squash in this easy vegetarian recipe from Chetna Makan.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich52/79
Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
This is it—the ultimate side dish for all your fall dinners. Cheese loves cauliflower, and cauliflower loves cheese right back.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton53/79
Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
The words one pan are magic to our ears. The crispy skin on these thighs is the result of starting the chicken in a cold skillet so it has time to render and crisp.
- Photo & Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin54/79
Pumpkin Dutch Baby With Pumpkin Butter
Is there a better fall brunch than this quick and easy Dutch baby? Whip up the batter in your blender, and use the extra canned pumpkin to make a concentrated pumpkin butter for putting on top.
- Photo by Maggie Zhu55/79
Bang Bang King Oyster Mushrooms
These savory, saucy mushrooms make a great appetizer, but you can also put them on top of noodles.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce56/79
Spicy Coconut Pumpkin Soup
This coconutty soup from Ramin Ganeshram is ideal for fall when squash and pumpkin are readily available. Serve it with crusty bread or a hearty green salad for the perfect autumn lunch.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich57/79
Stuffed Squash With Preserved-Lemon Gravy
This vegan main course is stuffed with dried fruit, hearty barley, and fragrant spices. Serving at a celebration? Kick things off with this pumpkin spice latte in cocktail form.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson58/79
Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili
Whether you’re watching football or not, it’s definitely chili season. This version gives you full flavor (thanks to a few pantry shortcuts) in just 30 minutes.
- Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova59/79
Crispy Tofu With Maple-Soy Glaze
If you’re trying to eat a bit less meat (or a lot less meat!), this is one tofu-cooking technique you should definitely know.
- Joseph De Leo60/79
Miso–Butternut Squash Soup
Make fall meal prep easier with this two-for-one dinner idea.
- Photo by Issy Croker61/79
Creamy Parsnip, Leek, and White Bean Crumble
This savory crumble makes a lovely, hearty dinner alongside a simple green salad.
- Photo by Christopher Testani62/79
Roasted Apricot Chicken With Mint and Sage Butternut Squash
Here are the magic words: This chicken recipe makes great leftovers.
- Photo by Eric Wolfinger63/79
Baked Eggs in Sweet Potato Boats With Herb Relish
These cute little boats are the ideal breakfast for dinner.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell64/79
Sweet-and-Saucy Pork Chops
The secret to these well-caramelized pork chops? A pinch of sugar. It helps the chops develop an exceptional golden brown crust.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson65/79
Sheet-Pan Roasted Squash and Feta Salad
Sweet roasted squash becomes a hearty dinner when tossed with tangy feta, toasty croutons, and bitter greens. This could also be served as a Thanksgiving side along with your favorite cranberry sauce and stuffing.
- Photo by Susan Brooks-Dammann/Stocksy United66/79
Instant-Pot Italian Chickpea Stew With Pesto
This soul-warming stew gets an extra kick from a spoonful of pesto added at serving time.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton67/79
Crispy Chicken and Potatoes With Cabbage Slaw
Another easy chicken dinner, coming through! Here, cumin-spiced chicken thighs and roasted potatoes are balanced by a zippy, jalapeño-spiked alternative to coleslaw. Serve caramel apple cupcakes for dessert.
- Photo by Evan Sung68/79
Roasted Beets With Crispy Sunchokes and Pickled Orange-Ginger Purée
Even if you don’t make this entire recipe, don’t sleep on the pickled ginger and orange purée.
- Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich69/79
Slow-Roasted Salmon With Harissa
If you’re looking for tender, flavorful salmon that’s never overcooked, you need to get on board with slow-roasting. This version has a punch of spicy harissa, but you could also use a little pesto, curry paste, tapenade, Calabrian chile, mustard…or just lots of olive oil and a few sliced lemon wheels. Want a fancy starter? How about wine-poached pears with goat cheese sabayon.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell70/79
Hot Honey Pork Chops With Escarole and White Beans
Juicy pork chops and an easy escarole and white bean salad both shine in a garlic-honey glaze.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini71/79
Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta
This polenta has gooey pockets of Fontina and tender bites of sweet butternut squash.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell72/79
Ancho Chile Pork Tenderloin With Brussels Sprouts and Squash
Pork tenderloin is one of the easiest paths to a great weeknight dinner. Here, an ancho chile spice mix seasons the pork, the squash, and the brussels sprouts.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio73/79
Winter Squash and Kale Pasta
Amp up your breadcrumbs for this fall pasta with toasty pecans.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Claire Saffitz74/79
Slow-Cooked Eggplant With Lemon and Fennel Seeds
Now that having the oven on won’t make your home painfully hot, it’s time to make this slow-cooked wonder.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova75/79
3-Ingredient Tomato Soup
When you’re out of fall dinner ideas, this simple, classic soup is here for you. Serve with grilled cheese made however you like it.
- Photo by Colin Price76/79
Mushroom Stroganoff
If you have 30 minutes, it’s time to make this creamy mushroom pasta.
- Chelsie Craig77/79
Feel-Better Chicken and Rice Soup
We added sweet potatoes to this this garlicky, gingery chicken and rice soup so it’s a little more filling, a little more flavorful, and a little more comforting.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell78/79
Cider-Braised Chicken With Apples and Kale
Going apple picking? Grab some cider too so you can make these extra-tender mustard-rubbed chicken legs.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Claire Saffitz79/79
Cast-Iron Pizza With Fennel and Sausage
We’ll wrap up this list of favorite fall recipes with this crowd-pleaser. Browning sausage in the same skillet used to bake this pizza not only preheats the pan (the key to a crisp crust)—it also infuses the crust with rich, porky flavor. Now you just need some ideas for fall desserts…
Tiffany Hopkins
Emily Farris
Nagi Maehashi
Kendra Vaculin
Zoe Denenberg