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10 Easy Fall Dinner Recipes for Cozy Evenings

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Fall is the season of warm, cozy dinners that bring comfort and joy after a chilly day. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals or indulgent dishes to enjoy with family, autumn offers a bounty of seasonal ingredients like squash, apples, and root vegetables that make dinnertime special. Below are 10 easy fall dinner recipes that are as satisfying as they are simple, so you can spend more time relaxing and less time in the kitchen.

10 Easy Fall Dinner Recipes for Cozy Evenings


1. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

This creamy pumpkin pasta is the perfect way to celebrate fall flavors. It’s rich, comforting, and takes only 20 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work best)
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  2. In a skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in pumpkin puree, heavy cream, Parmesan, and nutmeg.
  3. Mix in the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
  4. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.

Pro Tip: Garnish with fresh sage for an added layer of autumn flavor.

2. Sheet Pan Sausage and Root Vegetables

This one-pan meal is ideal for busy nights, combining savory sausage with roasted seasonal root vegetables.

Ingredients:

  • 4 Italian sausages
  • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 sweet potatoes, diced
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss vegetables with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a sheet pan.
  3. Place sausages on top of the vegetables.
  4. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping sausages halfway through.

Pro Tip: Add Brussels sprouts or parsnips for extra variety.

3. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This hearty and creamy chicken and wild rice soup is perfect for fall evenings, providing a comforting warmth in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
  2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
  3. Stir in chicken broth and wild rice. Simmer for 35-40 minutes, until rice is tender.
  4. Stir in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Pro Tip: Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.

4. Maple Glazed Salmon

This maple glazed salmon is sweet, savory, and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix maple syrup, soy sauce, mustard, and garlic.
  3. Place salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet and brush with the maple mixture.
  4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until salmon is flaky.

Pro Tip: Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts or quinoa for a complete meal.

5. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

These vegetarian tacos are bursting with fall flavors, thanks to roasted sweet potatoes and a tangy black bean filling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 8 small tortillas
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Salsa and sour cream for serving

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes.
  2. Warm black beans in a skillet.
  3. Assemble tacos with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado slices, salsa, and sour cream.

Pro Tip: Add crumbled feta or queso fresco for a bit of salty tang.

6. Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed acorn squash is a beautiful and nutritious fall dinner option, combining seasonal squash with a hearty filling of grains, veggies, and sausage.

Ingredients:

  • 2 acorn squashes, halved and seeded
  • 1 lb ground sausage
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place acorn squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a skillet, then mix with quinoa, cranberries, pecans, and cinnamon.
  3. Stuff the roasted squash with the sausage mixture and return to the oven for 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Drizzle with maple syrup for extra sweetness.

7. Beef and Barley Stew

This slow-cooked beef and barley stew is packed with hearty vegetables and tender beef, making it a fall favorite for a cozy evening meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs stew beef, cubed
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 2 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, brown beef cubes, then set aside.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic until softened, then add carrots and potatoes.
  3. Stir in beef broth, thyme, and barley. Return beef to the pot and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, until beef is tender and barley is cooked.

Pro Tip: Add a splash of red wine for a richer flavor.

8. Autumn Chicken and Apple Skillet

This simple skillet meal features juicy chicken breasts paired with sautéed apples and onions, all in a deliciously sweet and savory sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken breasts until golden brown, then set aside.
  2. Add apples and onions to the skillet and sauté until softened.
  3. Stir in apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and Dijon mustard. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Serve with mashed potatoes or rice for a complete meal.

9. Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells

These stuffed pasta shells are filled with a creamy spinach and artichoke mixture, making them a rich and satisfying vegetarian dinner for fall.

Ingredients:

  • 12 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, sautéed
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, and artichokes. Stuff the cooked shells with the mixture.
  3. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish, place stuffed shells on top, and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Pro Tip: Add extra mozzarella on top for a cheesy crust.

10. One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Creamy and comforting, this chicken and mushroom risotto is a one-pot dinner that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms until softened.
  2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
  3. Stir in Arborio rice and gradually add chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring until absorbed.
  4. Once rice is creamy and cooked through, stir in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Pro Tip: Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme.

FAQs

1. What are some good sides to serve with fall dinners?

Some great fall side dishes include roasted vegetables (like Brussels sprouts or butternut squash), mashed potatoes, and warm bread.

2. Can these recipes be made ahead of time?

Yes! Many of these fall dinners, especially soups and stews, taste even better when made a day ahead and reheated.

3. How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Most dishes can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

These 10 easy fall dinner recipes are perfect for anyone looking to embrace the flavors of the season without spending hours in the kitchen. From creamy pumpkin pasta to hearty beef stew, these dishes are designed to warm you up and keep you cozy all autumn long. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, these recipes will bring the best of fall to your dinner table.

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