Perfect for cool nights, our fall dinner recipes are the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods. These soups, stews, braises and bakes will help you make the most out of autumn.
1/30
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
From the Recipe Creator:
Because I work full-time, this slow-cooker pot roast is my go-to when I want a hearty home-cooked meal. It’s a comfort to walk in and smell this roast simmering. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked meat with 1/2 cup gravy: 380 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 126mg cholesterol, 467mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 35g protein.
This melt-in-your-mouth pot roast is the sort of dinner you dream all day about coming home to. Start this recipe in the slow cooker before you head out to work in the morning and it will braise away to fall-apart tenderness as you go about your day. Then, make a pot of egg noodles or whip up a quick potato recipe, and dinner is served.
2/30
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a great way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 422 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 750mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein.
Butternut squash is fall’s favorite vegetable. There’s so much you can do with it, including making a healthier, but just as rich, sauce for mac and cheese. Opt for whole wheat noodles and you’ll actually feel good about this fall comfort food.
3/30
French Onion Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
Nothing says fall like a warm, savory, extra-cheesy bowl of French onion soup. Though yellow onions are commonly used in this recipe, you can also make it with other types of onions, like Vidalias, Walla Wallas or Mauis.
4/30
Maple-Glazed Salmon
From the Recipe Creator:
This maple salmon is special because it comes from my mom, both my children like it and it's easy to prepare. I serve it with rice and broccoli—the sauce tastes fantastic on the rice. —Danielle Rothe, Greenville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 349 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 453mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch.
Maple’s earthy, caramelly sweetness combines with Dijon, brown sugar and soy sauce for a knockout sweet-yet-savory salmon glaze. Always buy the best maple syrup brand for the quality flavor, and make sure you’re not buying pancake syrup, which is made up of seemingly everything but maple syrup.
5/30
Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
From the Recipe Creator:
These slow-cooker short ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don't need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker. That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe! —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 251 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 402mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
Whenever I have company over during the colder months, I always whip up slow-cooker short ribs. It’s a fantastic special occasion meal since it plates up nicely and tastes even better. Serve the ribs over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta with all the included gravy, and everyone will ask for the recipe.
6/30
Pumpkin Bisque
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the smell of this rich, cheesy soup as it bubbles on the stove. The Gouda cheese adds a delightful smokiness that just says autumn to me. —Kerry Dingwall, Wilmington, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 214 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 970mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein.
If you love baking pumpkin into desserts, you’ve got to try cooking it with bacon, Gouda cheese and pungent spices for a super cozy fall soup. Serve it with crusty sourdough, spongy focaccia or pumpkin cornbread.
7/30
Feijoada
From the Recipe Creator:
A co-worker's mom used to make this feijoada recipe for him, and it was his favorite, so I made him my own version. Instead of sausage, you can use ham hocks. Or, substitute lean white meat for the red meat if you prefer. —Christiane Counts, Webster, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 481 calories, 27g fat (11g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 772mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 41g protein.
A stick-to-your-ribs supper by way of Brazil, feijoada is stew made with chunks of pork shoulder and beef short ribs simmered in the slow cooker until the meat is fall-apart tender. Serve this with a basket full of pão de queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread made with tapioca flour.
8/30
Italian Hot Dish
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 394 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
This easy baked pasta dish tastes like a glorious mashup of baked ziti and Philly cheesesteaks. It’s also easy to adjust the recipe to accommodate your personal tastes or picky eaters. Not much for mushrooms or green peppers? Swap in other vegetables you like (try eggplant). Mix up the meat with some crumbled Italian sausage, or use ground chicken or turkey instead.
9/30
Apple Cider Pork Chops
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple cider pork chops are a must for fall family dinners. I serve them with buttered egg noodles to soak up more of that delicious sauce. The recipe is easy to double when company pops in. —Debiana Casterline, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop: 301 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Anything with apples and pork just screams fall. Here we pair the two by sauteeing pork chops, then simmering them in a bath of apple cider, thyme, Dijon mustard, honey and apple pie spice to really infuse the apple flavors in every bite of pork.
10/30
White Chili
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, as a time-starved college student, I got this wonderful recipe from my sister-in-law. She had made a big batch and served it to a crowd one night. It was a hit—and easy and quick. In all my years of cooking, I’ve never had another dish get so many compliments. —Laura Brewer, Lafayette, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 334 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1045mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein.
As one of our most popular recipes on the site, this white chili is easy, quick and satisfying. It’s filled with chicken and northern beans, plus lots of spices and seasonings, so it’s nothing even close to bland. The reviews speak for themselves!
11/30
Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon
From the Recipe Creator:
I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup beef mixture (calculated without noodles): 289 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
Beef bourguignon is one of Julia Child’s most-loved recipes, so you know it’s going to be good. Fair warning, though: This one takes about a day to make. The meat marinates in the fridge overnight, then cooks in the slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours. Plan accordingly!
12/30
Stuffed Pepper Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 337 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1466mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
There’s no doubt that stuffed pepper recipes are amazing, but they can take more time than you have to spare on a busy weeknight. This easy soup recipe, which is a one-pot wonder, fixes that problem by bringing you all the flavors you’re craving with fewer dishes to wash.
13/30
BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread Pudding
From the Recipe Creator:
To me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and it's simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet and savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 465 calories, 25g fat (13g saturated fat), 156mg cholesterol, 1028mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein.
This sweet and savory bread pudding—featuring boxed cornbread mix, chopped barbecue chicken, tart green apples and gooey Monterey Jack cheese—is a unique way to enjoy a fall dinner. All it’s missing is a vegetable side.
14/30
Dutch Oven Whole Chicken
From the Recipe Creator:
This Dutch oven roast chicken recipe gets wonderful flavor from the celery, onion and parsley tucked inside. This is my family's favorite way to make roast chicken. When my daughter was away at school, she even called home to ask me for the recipe so she could make it herself. —Judy Page, Edenville, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 525 calories, 25g fat (7g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 1399mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 52g protein.
This is one of my favorite fall dinner recipes, and I make it multiple times during the season. There’s nothing as homey and comforting as a roast chicken, and it’s easy to switch up the ingredients so it doesn’t become tiresome.
15/30
Moroccan Braised Beef
From the Recipe Creator:
Curry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. For this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups beef mixture: 533 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 620mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein.
This Moroccan braised beef is filled with savory, warming fall spices like cumin, coriander, curry powder and paprika, with plump golden raisins for a touch of sweetness. It’s on the spicier side, so make sure to serve it over couscous or rice.
16/30
Saucy Italian Roast
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender roast is one of my favorite set-and-forget meals. I thicken the juices with a little flour and add ketchup, then serve the sauce and beef slices over pasta. —Jan Roat, Red Lodge, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef (calculated without pasta): 218 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
This easy slow-cooker dinner relies on a few store-bought shortcuts, including using canned mushrooms and spaghetti sauce, to make setting-and-forgetting even easier.
17/30
Beef Roast Dinner
From the Recipe Creator:
Because this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less-expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, for nutrition or to suit your tastes! —Sandra Dudley, Bemidji, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 304 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch.
Rump roasts or bottom round roast cuts keep this dish a bit more economical, and as a slow-cooked recipe, those tight tendons will break down until they’re incredibly tender. Play around with the herbs, spices and veggies to your liking.
18/30
Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Chicken and Mushrooms
From the Recipe Creator:
Portobello mushrooms add an earthy flavor to this creamy classic, while shredded rotisserie chicken makes it a snap to prepare. You'll savor every bite. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 636 calories, 26g fat (10g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1411mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
A warming bowl of creamy risotto with in-season mushrooms is my kind of fall dinner. Add chicken, and it’s a satiating meal. The best part? It cooks in the pressure-cooker, so there’s no need to stand over the stove for an hour slowly adding warm broth, as risotto usually requires.
19/30
Pumpkin Chili
From the Recipe Creator:
My family is crazy about this slow-cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 192 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 658mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Who knew canned pumpkin was the secret ingredient to a great chili? This ingredient makes the broth rich, creamy, flavorful and adds so many extra nutrients. You’ll add cooked turkey, too, so save this one for post-Thanksgiving.
20/30
Stout & Honey Beef Roast
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh, so good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 361 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
Dark, roasty and malty, stout beer adds big flavor to this beef roast. If you have leftover stout after making this roast, use it in one of these recipes to make with Guinness, which will work with any brand of stout beer.
21/30
Dutch Oven Pork Chops
From the Recipe Creator:
These herb-packed braised pork chops are perfect for entertaining because they come together quickly and bake for up to two hours. While visiting, my guests and I can enjoy the wonderful aroma. —Darci Truax, Billings, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 284 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 516mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein.
These never-dry Dutch oven pork chops are foolproof, so don’t let the idea of pork chops (one of the hardest meats to cook) deter you from trying this recipe. You’ll love the parsley, paprika, sage, thyme, mustard and oregano herb and spice blend.
22/30
Irish Beef Stew
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich and hearty, this Irish beef stew is my husband's favorite. The beef is incredibly tender. Served with crusty bread, it's an ideal cool-weather meal and perfect for any Irish holiday. —Carrie Karleen, St. Nicolas, Quebec
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 301 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
This beef stew is a classic Irish recipe. Big chunks of meat, potatoes and a viscous liquid make this stew a stick-to-your-bones type of meal, while peas and carrots add a much-needed vegetable component.
23/30
Chicken Potpie
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
Chicken potpie is an absolute fall classic, and our recipe is the best (just look at the reviews!). A store-bought pie crust makes it super easy without sacrificing flavor. Our recipe makes two potpies, so you can bake one now and freeze the second for a quick, but still homemade, meal.
24/30
Turkey Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
From the Recipe Creator:
Finding healthy recipes the family will eat is a challenge. This elegant squash is one we love, and it works with pork or chicken sausage too. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed squash half: 302 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat.
This couldn’t-be-simpler dinner is so stunning that it makes any night of the week feel special. Each stuffed acorn squash is a full meal in itself, so side dishes aren’t really necessary. If you’d like to put something else on the table, it’s hard to go wrong with garlic bread.
25/30
North African Chicken and Rice
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always looking to try recipes from different cultures, and this one is a huge favorite. We love the spice combinations. This cooks equally well in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 386 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
Moroccan food is heavily spiced with exciting ingredients and flavor combinations that may be new to you. This simple slow-cooker chicken dish mixes cinnamon, chili powder and turmeric with salty olives and tart lemons.
26/30
Chicken Biscuit Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Golden biscuits cover this homespun dish laden with chicken, broccoli and cheese. The casserole is then topped with a celery seed mixture. My family requests this all-in-one dinner once a month. —Karen Weirick, Bourbon, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 527 calories, 31g fat (9g saturated fat), 150mg cholesterol, 1245mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein.
This casserole is an almost effortless fall dinner thanks to canned biscuits, shredded rotisserie chicken and cream of chicken soup. But before you write it off as too rich, know that you can add a plethora of extra veggies with the broccoli, like peas, carrots, bell peppers and corn.
27/30
White Lasagna
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom made this lasagna for special occasions, such as birthdays. When she passed, I inherited her cookbooks—tucked inside one of them, I found this recipe folded into a letter she wrote to me while I was stationed overseas. It's a hearty, rich dish that reminds me of home. —Janet Wing, Minot, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 462 calories, 30g fat (16g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
Instead of the classic lasagna combo of pasta, cheese and marinara sauce, this white lasagna layers its pasta with sausage, a velvety wine-based cream sauce and four types of cheese: cheddar, cottage cheese, Gouda and cream cheese. Serve white lasagna alongside something acidic that can cut through all the cream, like a simple vinegary Italian salad.
28/30
Apple-Roasted Pork with Cherry Balsamic Glaze
From the Recipe Creator:
I added roasted apples, cherries and onions to turn ordinary pork into an impressive dish. There is a short time span between caramelized onions and burned ones, so pay close attention once they start cooking. —Josh Downey, McHenry, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 387 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein.
Turn an ordinary pork loin into an impressive dinner party-worthy dish. Just add roasted apples, caramelized onions, bright balsamic vinegar and whole pitted cherries. If you have fresh cherries, then by all means use them, but flash-frozen cherries work just as well.
29/30
Baked Pumpkin Goat Cheese Alfredo with Bacon
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a unique and delicious pasta, perfect for fall. I made this for my girlfriends, and everyone asked for the recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 559 calories, 37g fat (20g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 535mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
In this recipe, curly cellentani pasta is tossed with a quick and easy pumpkin cream sauce mixed with creamy goat cheese. Then, bake it with a topping of additional cheese and crispy bacon. Could this be the most craveable fall pasta dish ever? Possibly.
30/30
Turkey Curry with Rice
From the Recipe Creator:
When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup turkey mixture with 3/4 cup rice: 363 calories, 9g fat (7g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
If you’ve got lots of leftover turkey but are tired of Thanksgiving-inspired riffs on leftovers, try this easy curry recipe with carrots, cauliflower, creamy coconut milk and mango chutney. Serve this on top of a big bowl of rice or with a side of homemade naan bread.
Fall Dinner Recipes FAQ
What are the best quick fall dinner recipes?
The best quick fall dinner recipes are maple-glazed salmon, apple cider pork chops, pressure-cooker risotto with chicken and mushrooms, and turkey curry with rice. All these dishes take 30 minutes or less to prepare and are filled with fall flavors and comfort foods.
What seasonal vegetables are great for fall dinners?
Seasonal vegetables great for fall dinners include Brussels sprouts, beets, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, kale, mushrooms and garlic. Try adding these hearty vegetable-forward sides to your fall dinners: baked sweet potatoes (excellent with hot honey!), kale salad with apples and pumpkin seeds, squash focaccia, tangy marinated mushrooms and garlic-roasted Brussels sprouts with mustard sauce.
What are some vegetarian fall dinner options?
Fall vegetarian recipes can include butternut squash mac and cheese; a warming and hearty carrot, parsnip and potato gratin; stuffed vegetarian cabbage rolls; chunky vegetarian chili; and lots of meat-free pasta bakes. These recipes create the perfect excuse to use all the in-season fall vegetables.
