Fall is the perfect time to fill your kitchen with the cozy, comforting flavors of the season. From hearty soups, soul-warming mains, to the coziest fall side dishes and salads, I’ve gathered my favorite recipes that make the most of fall’s harvest.
I’ll be the first to admit that while I proudly claim to be a summer girl through and through, fall is a VERY close contender. I love it when the summer rush fades, and we start to settle into our routines, getting cozy for the winter ahead – bring on the fuzzy blankets and evenings spent with family!
As the air fills with crispness, darkness, and dryness, there’s something so comforting about contrasting those qualities with soul-warming, satisfying meals simmering away at home. It just feels so right.
Best ingredients for fall cooking
When it comes to cooking cozy in fall, you’ve got a selection of freshly harvested ingredients to make use of, all of which are perfect for comforting and hearty dishes – the season’s harvest brings produce that’s perfect for roasting, simmering, and baking. This is what we’re working with this season:
- Root vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, beetroots, turnips, and radishes bring earthy flavors and are perfect for roasting.
- Other vegetables: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and mushrooms can be sauteed, roasted, or added to stews.
- Fruits: Apples, pears, cranberries, figs, grapes, and pomegranates are all blooming, ready to be added to salads, desserts, or even incorporated into mains to add a dash of sweetness.
- Squash: ‘Tis the season of pumpkin, but don’t sleep on other squashes – butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash are prime for all sorts of yummy dishes.
- Greens: Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and collard greens keep things fresh and vibrant.
Fall soup recipes
I have a little tradition in the fall – I like to spend some time on Sunday afternoons using seasonal produce to make a comforting soup for the week. It’s a great way to ensure lunch is taken care of all week long. These soups are as satisfying as they are easy to prepare, so whether you are in the mood for something creamy or a little more brothy, these fall soups will hit the spot. Don’t forget some crusty bread! Fall brings so many root vegetables and squashes perfect for roasting and putting in a soup! This carrot ginger soup uses carrots in season, and the earthy ginger and garlic add warmth and depth. If you want a little more spice, try this curried pumpkin soup . It’s creamy and topped off with incredible maple ginger caramelized onions! Embrace beet season with this Thai beet soup recipe. Beets lend their earthy flavor and vibrant color, melding into coconut milk and Thai curry paste for a vibrant and satisfying soup. For a classic fall favorite, this kale soup is one you’ll come back to time and time again. Think: the tastiest broth ever, studded with white beans and hearty kale.
Finally, let’s talk about the classics. Everyone NEEDS a winning chicken veggie soup recipe to fall back on when the weather dips. For another hearty soup, this creamy turkey mushroom soup is a game-changer.
Remember : Add homemade soup croutons for the perfect finishing crunch.
Fall recipes dinner
Whether it’s for busy weeknight dinners or fall entertaining, I have criteria for fall dinners – they need to bring both flavor and warmth to the table!
Fall is the perfect time to sneak some seasonal fruit into your savory dinners. Like this balsamic fig chicken marsala recipe – the sweet figs and tangy balsamic make the perfect flavor combination. This pork chops with caramel apples recipe is another great example of sweet and savory magic!
Fall is known as that season when we put pumpkin in everything (and with good reason). When it comes to pasta dishes, pumpkin puree adds a boost while keeping your fall pasta dishes creamy and comforting. This pumpkin pasta bake with kale and buttered pecans is so cozy and satisfying. If you’re after cheesy indulgence, this pumpkin mac and cheese is rich and velvety. For something a bit heartier, this mushroom shepherd’s pie with brown butter potatoes is a fall classic that’ll warm you to your bones. As is this Guinness beef stew with potatoes and carrots – you’ll forget it’s cold outside! And last but not least, this butternut squash pizza gives all the fall vibes in one bite.
Fall salad recipes
With a bounty of delicious veggies coming out for fall, there is so much delicious salad potential. I’m talking hearty, satisfying, and packed with all the flavors of the season. First up, this brussels sprouts salad makes friends with sweet potato and pomegranate seeds for an instant fall salad favorite. And if you love your sprouts salads, you’ll love this brussels sprouts Caesar salad . It takes the beloved Caesar salad and puts a seasonal twist on it.
This sweet potato salad is perfect for fall. It’s made with roasted sweet potatoes, arugula or spinach, toasted pecans, cranberries, and a delicious brown butter vinaigrette. For something heartier, this autumn quinoa salad with sweet potatoes is a delicious grain-packed option. Finally, this beet and goat cheese salad is something special – it works when you want something flavorful but is elegant enough for fancy entertaining, too. There is a delicious contrast of earthy beets and creamy goat cheese you’ll love!
Fall side dish recipes
Round off the meal with side dishes that let the comforting flavors of the season shine. First up, turn the oven on because this maple roasted butternut squash is caramelized goodness with a sprinkle of cinnamon! Or, make these roasted root vegetables with a sweet and savory maple vanilla butter. You can never go wrong with spuds, and these mashed sweet potatoes put a fun, autumnal twist on the classic, or make some creamy pumpkin polenta . For some more texture, this wheat berry recipe is the way to go! A hearty base meets salty bacon, caramelized onions, squash, raisins, and toasted pecans.
Fall dessert recipes
In the fall, we tend to see ingredients like pumpkin, cinnamon, pears, and apples sneaking into our desserts (and we ain’t mad about it)! If you’re all about those pumpkin flavors, whip up some pumpkin brownies or try my pumpkin pie ice cream for a fun twist!
If you want to incorporate some fall fruits, these amaretto poached pears are a truly special little dessert that’ll steal the show at a gathering.
I’m from a pie-makin’ family, so you’ll find plenty of pie recipes on the blog. Nothing says fall is here quite like an apple pie or pumpkin pie – but if you’re feeling adventurous, try my pretty purple sweet potato pie or prune plum pie with almond thyme crust !
