Dig into your favorite autumn produce with these delightful fall dinner recipes. These are perfect for dinners any night of the week.
What does autumn mean for you?
In our house, it means cross country season. Although my son’s team trains throughout the summer, fall is when all that hard work gets put into action. Some meets are muddy. Others are hot. Others are absolutely perfect. That’s the nature of fall sports — the weather and the conditions are totally unpredictable.
Autumn also means the start of Nutcracker season. Though we associate the ballet with the holiday season, for the dancers it begins much earlier. Auditions happen in September and then rehearsals begin right away. By the time we reach this part of October, call times are being issued and costumes alterations are being finalized. The first performance is still more than a month away, but the season is in full swing.
As a mom, all of this means that autumn is very busy. Dinners are planned in advance (and cooked as easily as possible). And everything we eat needs to be well thought out. Runners and dancers alike need vibrant meals filled with healthy fats, rich proteins and vibrant produce.
Fortunately, autumn is an excellent time for vibrant produce.
Winter squashes like butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin and delicata squash are in season. But so are so many things like potatoes, kohlrabi, fennel, carrots, apples and cabbage. Cauliflower is in season too. And this is a great time of year to use warm herbs like sage when cooking with fall flavors.
Take a stroll through your nearest farmers market and you’ll find a bounty of fresh produce.
So, buy what looks good and then scroll through this list of 41 fall dinner recipes to find just the right warm, comforting food to fill your belly. These are all fit for the runners, dancers and everyone else in your life.
Fall Dinner Recipes Using Autumn Produce
Butternut Squash Soup
This quick and easy recipe for Butternut Squash Soup can be topped with crispy shallots for a comforting fall and winter meal.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Gnocchi
If you like autumn flavors, you will love this recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Gnocchi. It's pillow-y, flavorful deliciousness!
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Toss
Let the vegetables do the work for dinner tonight! This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Toss recipe is flavorful, comforting and easy to make.
Spicy Sriracha Honey Roasted Vegetables with Barley
Nutty barley combines with sweet and spicy roasted vegetables in this Spicy Sriracha Honey Roasted Vegetables with Barley recipe.
Spicy Honey Chipotle Squash and Sweet Potatoes over Brown Rice
Fiery sweetness takes center stage in this recipe for Spicy Honey Chipotle Squash and Sweet Potatoes served over nutty brown rice.
Spaghetti Squash Chili with Toppings
Easy Spaghetti Squash Chili is a beanless chili with corn that's baked to finish for a filling, satisfying, delicious dinner.
Baked Spaghetti Squash Bolognese
A comfort food makeover: This recipe for Baked Spaghetti Squash Bolognese is so satisfying, and perfect for cold evenings.
Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Avocado for Two
Warm spaghetti squash is topped with creamy avocado, flavorful olive oil and seasonings in this easy recipe.
Tomato Garlic Spaghetti Squash
Fresh tomatoes, garlic and capers come together with white wine in this delightful recipe for Tomato Garlic Spaghetti Squash.
Hoisin Beef Skewers with Gingery Red Cabbage Slaw
Glazed with the rich, slightly sweet sauce, these beef skewers are delightful with the cool, tangy slaw. And it just takes a few minutes for the flavors of the slaw to come together and shine.
Fried Rice-Style Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables
With the flavors of fried rice, this Fried Rice Style Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables is a satisfying way to enjoy a take-out favorite at home with quinoa instead of rice.
Curried Roast Cauliflower
A whole head of cabbage is drizzled with a spice oil and then slow cooked to tender perfection. It's delightful served with rice and another curried dish.
Fragrant Sweet Potato and Red Onion Shells
With warm notes of cinnamon and sweet Hungarian paprika, as well as sweet potatoes, red onions and Napa cabbage, this pasta has an exotic feel to it - and a totally welcome one, at that.
Sesame Soba Noodles with Brussels Sprouts
This easy recipe for Sesame Soba Noodles with Brussels Sprouts features a sweet-savory sauce that brings the dish deliciously together.
Cauliflower Leek Soup
Cauliflower Leek Soup is a sensual soup with notes of sweetness from the leeks, onion and cauliflower balanced with thyme, salt and pepper and hot sauce.
Roasted Cauliflower, Sweet Potatoes and Garbanzo Beans Over Rice
Satisfying cauliflower, sweet potatoes and meaty garbanzo beans, combine for a symphony of sweet and savory flavors. This is perfect over rice.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Lovage
Roasted cauliflower, crisp bacon, vibrant red onion, lovage and parsley, a sweet-tangy dressing: that’s Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Lovage.
Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower
Tender roasted cauliflower is tossed and baked in a spicy cajun yogurt sauce in this easy recipe for Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower.
Sweet Potato, Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Hash
Whip up something delicious for breakfast with this Roasted Sweet Potato, Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Hash recipe. It’s fantastic with a poached egg.
Noodles with Broccoli, Carrots and Red Cabbage
Bold, exciting and flavorful, this dish is a treat to make. Despite the touch of Sriracha sauce in this recipe, these noodles aren’t spicy. It adds a touch of zestiness that’s offset with the other flavors.
Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup
This Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup is super creamy, smooth, and full of flavor! This easy pumpkin soup recipe is gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly. It's healthy and quick to make with canned pumpkin puree, creamy coconut milk, and curry spices! You'll have a satisfying cozy meal ready in 15 minutes!
Tunisian Couscous with Meat and Vegetables
Tunisian couscous is a classic traditional dish that is comforting and flavorful. The couscous is steamed and served with meat, vegetables, and chickpeas.
Sweet Potato Kale Hash with a Fried Egg
This recipe for sweet potato kale hash with a fried egg makes for a perfect fall dinner! The healthy ingredients pack this dish full of fiber, protein, and vitamins. This is a perfect way to end a long day with protein and fiber.
Butternut Squash Tacos
These tasty street tacos are loaded with spicy butternut squash and crispy chickpeas then drizzled with an avocado cream sauce for an irresistible meal! Try them for your next taco night!
Sausage Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash
This stuffed butternut squash has the best fall flavors! It is easy, healthy and delicious.
Vegetable Bhuna
Try something different with your butternut squash and make a delicious vegetable bhuna. With the Indian spices working perfectly together, this is a winning dish!
Pumpkin and Spinach Quiche
This pumpkin and spinach quiche is perfect for a seasonal breakfast or weeknight dinner! And the leftovers make a great option to fill your lunch box for school or work.
Crockpot Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash
This crockpot butternut squash and turkey chili is the perfect fall meal! It is a great toss and go recipe.
Curried Carrot and Ginger Soup with Sweet Potatoes
This Curried Carrot Ginger Soup with Sweet Potatoes is spicy, sweet and creamy. Showcasing the best produce fall has to offer and a beautiful color so soup could be better fit for your Thanksgiving table.
One-Pot Stuffed Cabbage Soup
This Stuffed Cabbage Soup recipe tastes just like stuffed cabbage rolls, but without the hassle. Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-pot soup recipe is freezer-friendly, customizable, and easily feeds a crowd!
Mac and Cheese with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
This mac and cheese with Brussels sprouts and bacon combines creamy smoked cheddar mac and cheese with sauteed Brussels sprouts, and crispy bacon then crowned with a bread crumb toppings for the ultimate autumn dish.
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Crust Recipe
Make spaghetti squash pizza crust for a fun fall twist on pizza night. Load it up with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Chicken Apple Sausage Skillet
An easy, one-pan dinner just in time for fall! With sweet potatoes, sausage links, and apples, this chicken sausage apple skillet is perfect for fall!
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Oven-roasted acorn squash, stuffed with Italian sausage, apples, sage, thyme, and topped with crunchy parmesan panko. This easy acorn squash recipe is the perfect dinner and also is great leftover.
Chicken and Apple Meatballs
This recipe for chicken and apple meatballs adds seasonal fruit to an easy meatball meal that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Roast Fennel Pork Tenderloin
Fennel-roasted pork tenderloin is a savory celebration of the fall season. Make this inexpensive family meal in just 30 minutes.
Easy Homemade Shepherd's Pie
This easy homemade Shepherd's Pie has a rich, flavourful filling made with your choice of ground lamb, chicken or turkey and it's topped with creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes.
One-Pot Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce
This Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce is quick and easy to make, easy to clean up, and will feed the whole family! It's hearty, flavorful, and cozy.
Beet Burgers with Herbed Guacamole and Parsnip Fries
This beet burger has everything you want: texture, flavor, and low calories. Plus, these may be the pretty patties you've ever seen!
Butternut Squash Lasagna
This noodle-less butternut squash lasagna is perfect for butternut squash lovers! It's a healthier and lower-carb version of traditional lasagna. It's naturally gluten-free and grain-free too!
