50 Best Fall Recipes for Those Cozy Days of Cooking Ahead
From comforting dinners to seasonal desserts.
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It's back-to-school season, football season, and harvest season all in one. No matter what you call it, Ree Drummond says: "I would like to officially declare that fall is my favorite season!" A big reason for that is all the cozy fall recipes that comes along with this time of year. After all, the cooler temperatures and changing leaves mean that you can finally break out the comforting casseroles and pumpkin spice recipes. You've waited long enough!
When summer is over, fall favorites like hearty chilis, apple-cinnamon recipes, and tailgating ideas make a comeback. If you're looking to use up all of your seasonal produce, you'll want to try one of the savory pumpkin recipes, butternut squash recipes, and sweet potato recipes ahead. They're just as delicious on a Thanksgiving menu as they are for a weeknight meal. You can even make turkey breast in an air fryer with just ten minutes of prep.
Of course, fall is also a time when weeknights might feel a little bit hectic, so you'll find that all of these fall recipes are easy enough for even the busiest autumn days. There are quick sheet pan dinners, simple fall chicken recipes, comforting pastas, and a few easy fall desserts and fall cocktails to savor every bit of the season. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to fall in love with all the autumnal meals you're about to make!
Chili Mac and Cheese
Fall is the perfect time of year to indulge in cheesy, comfort food cravings—including this mix of family favorites. It's just as delicious for weeknight dinner as it is for a game day party.
Get Ree's Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Butternut squash can be a little tough to peel and cut, but all you have to do here is halve it. Then roast, stuff with sausage, rice, cheese, and herbs, and you've got a tasty fall meal.
Get Ree's Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
Apple Dump Cake
To get a taste of fall for dessert, you just need four ingredients. Seriously! Grab butter, apple pie filling, apple pie spice, and boxed cake mix and dump 'em all in a pan. The result is incredibly delicious.
Get Ree's Apple Dump Cake recipe.
Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup
Not only is this soup a hearty bowl of comfort, but the recipe makes an extra big batch. That means you can have some for dinner and freeze the rest for another weeknight meal!
Get Ree's Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup recipe.
Hamburger Casserole
Beefy, cheesy comfort food: Now that's what a family meal is all about. It can also be assembled a day ahead of time, then all you have to do is add crispy onions and bake.
Get Ree's Hamburger Casserole recipe.
Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Make something a little unexpected for dinner! Stuff fluffy baked sweet potatoes with a blend of rotisserie chicken, green chiles, a hint of jalapeño, and a velvety, tangy sauce.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This recipe combines two comfort food favorites: chicken pot pie and chicken soup. Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken and refrigerated pie dough for the dippers to make it even easier.
Get Ree's Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe.
Pear Crisp
Apples aren't the only fall fruit that should get attention this season. Pears are another delightful way to celebrate the sweetness of fall, especially when made into a warm crisp and topped with ice cream.
Get Ree's Pear Crisp recipe.
Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs
The combination of ground pork, grated apples, fresh sage, and warm allspice makes these meatballs a hit at the table. Take Ree's advice and serve them over a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes.
Get Ree's Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is known for being sticky and sweet, but this one also happens to be autumnally spiced. It's drizzled with a sticky pumpkin caramel sauce that'll have your whole family reaching for more.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread recipe.
Apple Cider Margarita
Margarita season doesn't have to end just because summer is over. Instead, add apple cider to the mix and you'll have a fall cocktail that's perfectly tart and sweet.
Get Ree's Apple Cider Margarita recipe.
Baked Spaghetti
Easier than lasagna but just as comforting, this baked spaghetti is sure to become your new favorite. Ree even likes to top this gooey casserole dish with extra parmesan cheese!
Get Ree's Baked Spaghetti recipe.
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
What a way to start the morning off right! These pancakes are loaded with warm cinnamon, grated apples, and a hint of vanilla. There's even a pile of whipped cream and extra diced apples on top.
Get Ree's Apple Cinnamon Pancakes recipe.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Make butternut squash the star of your next fall casserole. It's balanced sweet and savory flavor pairs well with the caramelized onions, kale, and bacon.
Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
You can serve this any time of day! Whip up this easy pumpkin coffee cake for breakfast or dessert. It would be perfect with a cup of coffee or a pumpkin spice latte.
Get the Pumpkin Coffee Cake recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
This recipe uses two handy dandy shortcuts: canned biscuits for the dumplings and a slow cooker to do the cooking. It's a hands-free approach to a classic comfort food.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe.
Sweet Potato Chili
This chili recipe is a medley of veggies, fire-roasted tomatoes, pinto beans, and seasonal sweet potatoes. Plus, there are plenty of warming spices like cumin and chili powder.
Get the Sweet Potato Chili recipe.
Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork with Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Flaky puff pastry makes this pork dinner look extra-elegant. It's perfect for a fall dinner party, especially when served up with seasonal Brussels sprouts.
Get Ree's Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork with Brussels Sprouts Slaw recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Give mac and cheese the autumnal treatment by adding creamy pumpkin puree. It's even better when topped with plenty of crisp garlic-butter breadcrumbs.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Harvest Bowl
Get creative with your fall lunch by loading up a grain bowl filled with lots of flavorful mix-ins. You can toss in roasted veggies, crisp apples, crumbled goat cheese, rotisserie chicken, and so much more!
Get the Harvest Bowl recipe.
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