Bert Swope
Fall is here and it’s time for cozy autumn cooking ideas! From oven-baked pastas and hearty soups, all the way through to making-ahead options you can freeze for weeknight ease, here are a variety of fall meals sure to warm the soul this season.
Be tempted by creamy carbonara with speck and garlic for an indulgent and impressive dinner party dish! This comforting pasta dish makes the ideal dish to impress an audience.
Steak Salad
Hearty steak meets crisp veggies and leafy greens for an easy fall-inspired meal, finished off with a zesty balsamic vinaigrette for an impressive yet effortless dish. Perfect for weeknight meals yet elegant enough for weekend dinner parties. Choose a lean cut like flank steak or filet mignon as the protein source, while adding flavor, color, and texture with grilled onions for maximum effect. When choosing salad options try mixing Romaine lettuce with spring baby greens (or just Romaine); experiment with other leafy greens such as radicchio, Iceberg lettuce or Arugula for maximum effect.
Create a tasty salad by combining all ingredients except the steak and dressing, then refrigerating until serving time. Grill and allow the steak to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing into slices for the salad, drizzle with salad dressing, and finish it off with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese for an irresistibly tasty meal!
This healthy dinner recipe makes an excellent meal prep option. Just prepare the vinaigrette, chop and combine your salad, then refrigerate until ready for consumption.
Making this fall dinner vegan-friendly is easily achievable by replacing the steak with another protein source like grilled chicken, shrimp or tofu and replacing the blue cheese with mild and creamy options like goat cheese, fresh Parmesan or feta cheese.
This fall-inspired recipe brings classic comfort food flavors together into one easy dish, making it the ideal meal for busy families. Packed full of tender pasta and flavorful meatballs, this hearty casserole will satisfy both adults and children. Add extra color with crispy Parmesan potato wedges or roasted Brussels sprouts on the side.
Corn & Seafood Chowder
Seasonal flavors come together in this comforting chowder recipe that can be enjoyed year-round. Made with seafood stock, corn kernels and plenty of cream for an irresistibly creamy texture without becoming overly thick, this meal makes an excellent lunch or dinner addition paired with freshly baked bread and fresh salad greens.
This chowder recipe is so easy to create! Start by sauteeing onions, carrots and celery in butter until tender before adding potatoes as a starch source to thicken up the soup. Next comes cooking your seafood of choice such as shrimp, crab or scallops before stirring into your soup for the final touches – any of these works well!
This hearty and satisfying casserole is a fall classic that everyone enjoys. Perfect for busy weeknights, and even better when made in just 30 minutes!
This slow-cooked meaty dinner will make a satisfying and cozy autumn night! Packed full of succulent beef and flavorful vegetables, it can be served over rice or mashed potatoes for maximum satisfaction!
One-Pan Broccoli Mac & Cheese
Fall is an ideal season for deliciously easy weeknight dinners that won’t break the bank, such as stews, casseroles, and soup recipes that come together quickly using either your slow cooker, air fryer, or oven. Check out these easy fall inspired meals for two!
This one pot mac and cheese with broccoli is an easy and delicious way to incorporate healthy veggies into your meals! Elbow macaroni, fresh or frozen broccoli florets are boiled together until al dente before being mixed in a creamy mixture of cheddar cheese and milk for an irresistibly cheesy dish! For an extra spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper onto the mixture before serving for maximum flavour!
This easy fall dinner recipe can easily be tailored to meet the preferences of you and your family! Add chopped chicken for an even heartier meal, or go smokier by adding in some ham, sausage, or bacon. Finally, adding in some peas will bring some greenery and fiber.
This creamy one-pot broccoli mac and cheese recipe is delicious as is, but also serves as an ideal foundation for adding additional flavors and ingredients. If you prefer something with more savory notes, adding cajun seasoning or freshly grated black pepper could add extra depth.
If you want to prepare this delicious one-pot mac and cheese ahead of time, assemble all the ingredients in an oven-safe baking dish, cover it with foil, and refrigerate for up to two days before refining and reheating it at 350 F until bubbly and golden brown – usually 40 minutes or so.
French Onion Soup
French onion soup is a timeless fall dinner classic, perfect for date nights when light, yet satisfying, food is desired, or an easy weeknight dinner after an exhausting outdoor adventure. Plus, its simple preparation at home makes for quick meals when combined with other classic fall fare like grilled cheese or roast potatoes!
This French Onion Soup recipe utilizes both beef broth and white wine to achieve rich flavors without taking up too much space in your life. The onions are slowly cooked until deep brown and caramelized before sherry deglazes the pan to bring sweetness into the mix.
If desired, sherry can easily be swapped out for white wine. I also suggest using ghee (clarified butter) to cook onions as its higher smoke point will ensure it won’t burn as quickly.
Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses are classic choices for this soup; however, you may use any variety you like! Don’t forget to garnish it with some chopped chives or thyme for an eye-catching finish!
You may require adding some sugar to help your onions caramelize; if that is necessary, do it at the end of cooking process for optimal results. This step is essential to achieving deep, rich flavors.
Soup and toasts can be prepared ahead of time, though for optimal results wait to broil them until just before serving so they don’t become soggy from sitting too long. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or 6 months in the freezer; adjust salt levels when reheating the soup when doing this option.
Pork Tenderloin Stuffing
This gorgeous dinner is ideal for an intimate evening in or impressing on a weekend. Pork tenderloin is stuffed with an herby breadcrumb mixture before searing it before being finished off with garlic butter and rosemary for an impressive presentation! Plus it can even be done ahead!
If you want to make this ahead, the recipe suggests stuffing the pork loin the day before. To do this, slice a deep lengthwise slit along the center of the meat, stopping short of cutting through to its center. Next, open up the butterflied meat like a book and use a rolling pin or mallet to gently flatten out (it won’t be as even). Next, fill its center with sausage/onion filling before rolling up tightly before securing with toothpicks before cooking.
Add an extra special touch by topping the dish off with a drizzle of burgundy mushroom sauce for an elegant finish. Enjoy it alongside roasted potatoes or buttered egg noodles, so that all that delicious sauce can soak into them!
These easy fall inspired meals for two are an affordable and delicious way to celebrate the season without breaking your budget! Not only will you get to try some new recipes without feeding a crowd – double up on these dinners on weekends if company comes over! For even more cozy autumn inspiration, check out some autumnal dutch oven dishes and hearty soups – you might even consider breaking out your slow cooker and use it during this chilly season as well! The possibilities are limitless!
