Fall is the season of warmth and coziness, and our plates should reflect that. We love the hearty vegetables, mushrooms, tender meats, spices, and subtle flavors that fall brings. And what better way to make yourself more comfortable than with a delicious and satisfying meal? Here, you can find our favorite fall recipes to make this season. Feel free to try these comforting autumn meals, and let them fill your belly and soul.
1. Beef and Pumpkin Stew
We simply can’t imagine the fall season without pumpkins. This versatile veggie (yes, we know it’s technically a fruit) can be a great addition to some of your classic meals. For instance, adding it to the traditional beef stew can create a perfect fall dish that will warm you up and keep you full. This comfort meal requires less than 30 minutes of preparation, but you need to cook it for over two hours because you want the meat to be super tender. This recipe can feed six people, so it’s great for a family lunch or dinner. Also, it’s the perfect after-Halloween meal because you can use the leftover pumpkin.
Here's what you Need | Cooking Guide |
2 tbsp olive oil 1-1.2 lbs beef 1 lb carrots cut into chunks 1 medium pumpkin 2 onions 1 celery stick Small beer 34 oz vegetable stock 1 ½ tbsp tomato puree 2 bay leaves Fresh thyme 1 tbsp smoked paprika Salt Pepper 1 ½ tbsp plain flour Serve with mashed potatoes or rustic bread. | Step 1 Cut beef and carrots into chunks. Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and chop it. Chop the onions and slice the celery stick. Step 2 Put the oil in the pan and saute the onions on medium heat until they soften. Throw in the beef and cook until it’s browned. Step 3 Add carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook for a few minutes, then add tomato puree and flour. Stir. Step 4 Pour in the beer and vegetable stock, and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for one hour. Step 5 Add pumpkin, stir a bit, and cook for another 30-60 minutes until the veggies are soft. Step 6 Serve with mashed potatoes or rustic bread. |
2. Herby Buttered Mushroom Ravioli
Although slow-cooked meals are the epitome of fall cuisine, we love delicious recipes you can make in 30 minutes or less. This buttery cheese ravioli with caramelized mushrooms and herbs is super easy to make, and it can be your quick fall dinner for the whole family. In fact, the entire recipe only takes around 30 minutes to prepare. More importantly, it’s warm, cozy, and delicious!
We suggest you get store-bought ravioli to minimize the time needed to make this meal. You can find great options at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. However, if you want to spend a little more time in the kitchen, you can try making homemade ravioli.
Here’s What You Need | Cooking Guide |
2 tbsp olive oil 1 lb cheese ravioli 1 lb mixed mushrooms 1 shallot 2 garlic cloves ½ butter stick 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp sage 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves Salt Pepper Fresh dill for decoration | Step 1 Thinly slice the shallot, roughly slice mushrooms, smash garlic, and chop sage. Step 2 Cook ravioli according to package instructions and save ½ cup of pasta cooking water. Step 3 Put olive oil in a skillet and bring it over medium heat. Add the shallots for a couple of minutes, and then add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the mushrooms have caramelized. Step 4 Reduce the heat, and add garlic, sage, thyme, and butter. Stir occasionally and cook until the garlic is caramelized. Step 5 Add a bit of pasta water and balsamic vinegar. Cook for several minutes until the sauce has a nice, thick consistency. Step 6 Pour the sauce over the ravioli and garnish with fresh dill. |
3. Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken With Veggies
Many people find roasting the whole chicken intimidating. However, it’s actually pretty simple. You only need to season it well, coat it with melted butter, and put it in the oven for about an hour to get a delicious fall dinner for the whole family.
Here’s What You Need | Cooking Guide |
1 whole free-range chicken 2 tbsp olive oil ¼ butter stick 1 small lemon 4 medium carrots 2 medium potatoes Fresh rosemary Fresh thyme Salt Black pepper Serve with a side salad. | Step 1 Melt the butter and brush it over the chicken skin. Salt and pepper the interior and exterior of the whole chicken. Rinse the lemon and cut it into quarters. Place it inside the chicken, along with rosemary and thyme. Leave it to chill in the fridge overnight for the best flavor and crispy skin. Step 2 Preheat your oven to 450° F while you peel and chop the veggies. Season them with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Put the veggies along the pan edges, and place the chicken in the center. Place the pan in the oven. Step 3 Cook uncovered for about an hour or until the exterior is golden brown. If you’re using the meat thermometer, the chicken is done when the breast temperature is at 165° F. Step 4 Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Step 5 Carve the chicken and serve it with veggies and a side salad. Pour leftover cooking juices into a small dish and use it as gravy. |
4. Turkey and White Bean Chili
Nothing beats a good chili on a cold rainy day. Chili has always been one of our favorite dishes for the fall season because it’s warm, comforting, and delicious. We’ve decided to go a little lighter for this recipe and use ground turkey, but you can also use ground chicken instead.
We suggest cooking this chili in a slow cooker instead of a stovetop because it can really bring out all the flavors and take it to another level. However, if you don’t have one, just cook it regularly, and you can still get a delicious and comforting meal that will last for days.
Here’s What You Need | Cooking Guide |
1 tbsp olive oil 2 lbs ground turkey 2 onions 2 red peppers 4 garlic cloves 2 jalapeno peppers 1 can white beans 2 cups chicken broth 1 can crushed tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 ½ tbsp salt 1 tbsp ground pepper 2 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp smoked paprika 2 tbsp chili powder 2 bay leaves 1 small stout beer Serve with cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, beer bread, and cilantro. | Step 1 Drain the white beans, mince the garlic, and chop onions, jalapenos, and red peppers. Step 2 Place a large skillet over medium heat and put olive oil in. Add onions and cook until they are caramelized, then add garlic and stir for another minute. Throw in turkey and cook until it’s browned nicely. Step 3 Add everything to your slow cooker except for the white beans, and stir together. Cook it on high for 4-5 hours or medium for 6-8 hours. Step 4 About an hour before finishing, stir the beans in. If your chili is too thick, add more broth. Step 5 Remove the bay leaves and pour the chili into bowls. Top it with cheddar cheese, cilantro, and sliced avocado, and serve with beer bread. |
5. Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese
Yes, we did the unthinkable. But brussels sprouts honestly go well with mac and cheese, and this recipe is a perfect way to get your kids to eat more veggies without them even noticing. You can use broccoli instead or add chicken for extra protein.
This brussels sprouts mac and cheese is creamy, delicious, and healthier than the traditional version of this meal. In addition, it only takes 30 minutes to prepare, so it’s perfect for busy fall dinners.
Here’s What You Need | Cooking Guide |
Pack of fusilli pasta (or pasta of your choice) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 lb brussels sprouts ¼ butter stick 2 garlic cloves ¼ cup flour 2 cups milk ½ tbsp garlic powder Salt Pepper 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese 3 oz yellow cheddar cheese Fresh parsley | Step 1 Cook the pasta according to the instructions. Drain and set aside. While the pasta is cooking, cut the brussels sprouts in half, and mince the garlic. Step 2 Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add brussels sprouts, and season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until your brussels sprouts are golden brown and tender. Step 3 Place the brussels sprouts in a bowl. Add butter to the skillet. Once it’s melted, add garlic and flour and whisk until the paste forms. Then pour the milk in and continue whisking until the sauce is smooth. Step 4 Simmer for a few minutes, then add sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until it’s completely melted, and then add salt and pepper to taste. Step 5 Mix fusilli pasta, cheese sauce, and brussels sprouts, and top with cheddar cheese. Place it in the oven for several minutes until the cheese is slightly golden brown. Step 6 Chop a little fresh parsley and sprinkle on top while serving. |
Taking a Nap After a Delicious Meal
No matter which recipe you decide to try from our list, you are bound to feel sleepy after such a rich and delicious meal. And we say: go for it! Just make sure there’s enough room for the whole family, and the best way to do that is to get an Alaskan King mattress.