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As cooler temperatures arrive, the fall season has officially started. It is that time of the year where the school season is kicked into high gear, and quick weeknight dinners are a must to combat busy schedules.
With the beginning of autumn, comes the start of comforting dishes – cozy soups, and comforting casseroles are on the forefront of our taste buds.
Meals that are filling and warm are a must for those colder months.
Fall is packed with delicious in-season produce.
Turn to seasonal produce like apples, butternut squash and pumpkin as a starting point to a main course. They are the building blocks for tasty fall dinner ideas. Add pork, chicken, or meat to the produce for heartiness.
Scroll below to find fall dinner recipes to try out this season.
Juicy beef meatballs seasoned with thyme in a rich, beefy onion sauce with a sprinkle of Gruyere melted to gooey perfection is the definition of comfort food.
Spaghetti squash produces perfect strands that mimic noodles and are a healthy alternative to pasta.
Add ground beef and cheese for a take on spaghetti bolognese.
An easy, yet tasty dish that requires little effort. A cozy meal that will warm you up during those winter months.
Creamy and cheesy – this soup will make you want seconds ( or thirds ).
The French classic is perfect for this time of year.
Slowly caramelized onions top with Gruyere cheese and crusty bread is the perfect side dish.
Sweater season calls for butternut squash soup.
This incredibly delicious soup has a hint of sweetness because of the addition of apples.
Butternut squash and garlic cloves, roasted with fresh herbs and pureed into a creamy sauce, makes for a vibrant and rich pasta sauce.
This creamy pumpkin sauce tastes like fall. With flavors of sage, nutmeg, and sausage – it will be your favorite way to have pasta this season.
Add a touch of olive oil and parmesan cheese to finish off the dish.
Pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and pesto, and finished off with pumpkin vodka sauce is perfect for those nights you are craving Italian.
Forget the boxed stuff you had as a child, this is obviously a much better version, and will soon become a family favorite.
Shepherd’s pie is the epitome of homely comfort food. It’s a classic and easy recipe perfect for the cooler weather.
Tender, fall apart, red wine braised short ribs are easy enough to make, but look so fancy piled high on a plate of perfectly cooked risotto.
Finish off with fresh parsley for the perfect date night dinner or weeknight dinner.
Fresh gnocchi needs to be part of your fall dinner repertoire.
So fluffy and cloud-like with the perfect bite. It’s definitely an indulgent dish. Serve with a large salad and maybe some sourdough to clean up the tomato sauce.
Like most chili recipes, this one can be tweaked to your preference.
Swap out the turkey for meat or chicken – this chili is the perfect blend of flavors and textures.
A spicy and creamy chicken dish that certainly packs the heat.
Top each bowl with fresh cilantro and tangy sour cream.
A classic beef stew needs to be part of your cozy dinners.
Aromatic and filled with so many in-season produce – tender chunks of steak, mushrooms, potatoes, and carrots – it’s perfect for a potluck or a dinner at home.
Loaded with vegetables, tender beef and plump barley, it’s a complete meal in a bowl!
This is one of those soup recipes that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Perfect when you want something hearty.
Smothered with chili sauce and finished off with cheddar cheese – serve with a quick salad for an easy fall dinner.
This casserole is not just for Thanksgiving dinner.
The topping on this casserole is made with butter, pecans, and brown sugar. The potatoes are creamy, and the topping adds the perfect crunchy texture.
Caramelized onions gives the broth depth of flavor with plenty of cheese and savory bacon pieces.
As for the beer, stick to a variety of beer that you enjoy drinking on its own.
A delicious soup made with egg yolks and loads of fresh lemon juice for a warming and satisfying meal.
The egg-lemon mixture enhances the flavor of the chicken with a bright lemon fragrance.
There is something so satisfying about one-pot dinners. Pork chops and apples are an easy dinner that is packed with flavor.
The beef slowly bakes with potatoes and carrots for an easy one-pot meal.
Serve the beef, potatoes, and vegetables with a homemade gravy and rice or egg noodles.
One of Julia Child’s most famous recipes. This classic beef dish is slow roasted in a rich red wine gravy.
Be sure to enjoy a glass of red wine with this dish.
The warm spices of the Za’atar yogurt marinade on the chicken paired with the butternut squash is the kind of recipe to ease you into all the coziness of fall.
These braised chicken thighs are packed with incredible flavors, and will be the chicken recipe you come to over and over again.
The only side dish you need!
It’s tender and creamy with a deliciously crispy and cheesy crust. It is the perfect dish to serve for a large gathering.