When it comes to the best fall dinners, it's all about comfort food meals that are warm, cozy, and just good for the soul. So if you are wondering what fall dinner recipe to make on a chilly autumn night, then you have come to the right place. We have rounded up over 60 of the best easy fall dinner ideas including comforting casseroles, one pot weeknight dinners (give me all the stews and curries), quick chicken recipes, meat-centric meals (meatballs, anyone?), vegetarian fall dinners (stuffed squash, I'm looking at you!), hearty soups for dinner, and more!
Best Fall Dinners
Apple Cider Chicken with Butternut Squash
One of my favourite fall dinner recipes is quick, easy, one pan apple cider chicken with butternut squash, apples, and thyme, cooked in an apple cider sauce. Serve this fall meal in just 40 minutes. Don't forget some crusty bread to soak up all that juice.
Delicious, comforting homemade Swedish meatballs are seared and smothered in a creamy gravy sauce and taste so much better than IKEA meatballs. One of the best fall dinner ideas if you are looking for some comfort food.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Butternut squash mac and cheese is a flavorful and delicious fall twist on a classic, with a rich and creamy sauce that is secretly loaded with veggies.
One Pot Coconut Curry Beef Stew
Warm and cozy, easy one pot coconut curry beef stew is hearty yet creamy, packed with tender beef chunks, potatoes and carrots, and creamy coconut milk.
Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
Quick and easy, cheesy tortellini and sausage bake is a delicious 30-minute dinner packed with flavour. A family-favourite comfort food for busy weeknights.
Stuffed Butternut Squash with Wild Rice
Healthy, hearty and wholesome butternut squash with wild rice and mushrooms is an easy cozy vegetarian dinner or side dish for fall. It's the best vegetarian fall dinner idea!
One Pan Garlic Roasted Chicken and Baby Potatoes
One pan garlic roasted chicken and baby potatoes is an easy to make, delicious, and wholesome meal for the entire family. Prep this sheet pan in 10 minutes.
Homemade hamburger helper is a family favorite but you can make a cheaper, healthier, and way tastier version at home, ready in just 30 minutes.
Skillet shepherd's pie is a savoury and hearty traditional comfort food. With flavourful beef and fluffy potatoes, this cozy meal it will warm you up.
Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas
Butternut squash curry with chickpeas is a rich hearty one pot meal that will satisfy your fall comfort food cravings. Great for weeknight family dinners.
Leftover Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Leftover turkey stuffed peppers are a nutritious, wholesome and healthy dinner that you can throw together easily and quickly. A total crowd-pleaser.
Apple Dijon Braised Chicken Thighs
Tender and juicy apple dijon braised chicken thighs with potatoes is juicy, tender and so succulent that it falls off the bone, yet so crispy outside. Serve with some bread to soak up all that juice. Try homemade ciabatta rolls or green onion dinner rolls.
This Coconut Curry Ramen is creamy, rich, comforting, and delicious, with a perfect blend of mouthwatering textures and flavors and ready in 25 minutes.
Butternut Squash Carbonara Pasta
If you like traditional carbonara, you are going to love creamy butternut squash carbonara pasta with Parmesan, bacon and sage.
Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry
Thai turkey meatballs in coconut curry are the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something delicious, healthy, flavorful, and satisfying.
Homemade chicken pot pie is loaded with a delicious, creamy, savory filling contained by a crispy, buttery, and flaky pie crust. It stores and freezes well.
Hamburger soup with macaroni is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that‘s wholesome, filling, comforting and nutritious. Prep, cook and serve under an hour.
Casseroles are the Best Fall Comfort Food
Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
Creamy white chicken and spinach lasagna with tender shredded chicken is the most comforting creamiest cheesiest white lasagna. Easy to make ahead & freeze.
Pasta Bake with Sausage (Baked Ziti)
Pasta bake with sausage (baked ziti) is a lazy day lasagna with layers of pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce, layered with mozzarella, and baked.
Easy baked chicken enchiladas brings the taste of authentic Mexican food into your kitchen -- saucy, spicy, and savoury. Perfect for a Mexican fiesta on Cinco de Mayo.
Easy creamy ham and potatoes au gratin is a great way to use leftover ham with tender sliced potatoes and a cheesy béchamel sauce. The best comfort food.
Classic easy meat lasagna is the ultimate Italian comfort food with layers of tender lasagna, meaty tomato sauce, cheese filling and melted cheese on top.
Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach
Creamy turkey tetrazzini with spinach is a simple, easy and delicious pasta recipe that is comforting, creamy and cheesy. The recipe used turkey, but you can easily substitute it with leftover chicken or a storebought rotisserie chicken instead.
Lasagna roll ups are a twist on traditional lasagna. Lasagna noodles are filled with cheese and meat sauce and rolled up. Make ahead and freezer-friendly!
Classic baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, cheesy, and cozy, topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. It's quick and easy too.
Ground turkey pasta bake is an easy yet impressive meal that is cozy, comforting, and satisfying. A family-friendly casserole dinner ready in 45 minutes.
One Pot Weeknight Dinners
White chicken chili is an easy and delicious one pot meal made with shredded chicken, hearty veggies, and a creamy broth that's loaded with flavor.
Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto
Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto is a rich, creamy, and comforting classic Italian dish that may be intimidating but is actually quick and easy to make.
Hearty slow cooker beef chili is an easy, comforting, low-maintenance dinner in fall and winter months. It's a family favourite crockpot chili.
Better than takeout, make easy Indian butter chicken in just 30 minutes, with a creamy tomato-based sauce, charred chicken, and incredible spice + flavour.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar
Quick and easy, creamy stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar is a delicious and comforting one pot 20-minute meal packed with three types of cheese.
Hearty coconut lamb curry is an easy one pot meal that is packed with flavour. Make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker and freeze leftovers for later.
One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice
Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal.
Slow cooker Korean short ribs deliver complex Asian flavours with little effort. Simply add your ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook dinner for you.
Easy one pot vegetarian chili is the perfect warm and cozy comfort meal — it’s hearty, filling, wholesome, flavorful, delicious, and loaded with protein.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Easy Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Easy chicken parmesan (parmigiana) with crispy breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The best comfort chicken dinner.
Chicken marsala in creamy mushroom sauce is a quick and easy 30-minute chicken dinner that is pure comfort food goals. A total crowd favourite.
Skillet Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
Tender, juicy, and crispy one pan skillet chicken thighs and potatoes and carrots is an easy weeknight dinner on your dinner table in less than 45 minutes. Serve with a warm brussels sprouts salad on the side.
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken (Butterflied Chicken)
Quick and easy roasted spatchcock chicken (butterflied chicken) seasoned with garlic and thyme is juicy, tender, delicious and flavourful with minimal prep. Serve with some creamy mashed potatoes and garlic green beans.
Baked queso chicken with tomatoes is an easy, cheesy, delicious chicken dinner that takes just 30 minutes to cook. One of the best comforting summer dinner ideas.
Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
Easy Dutch oven whole roast chicken with the crispiest golden skin is juicy, tender and succulent and packed with flavour. Just takes 15 minutes to prep. Serve with creamy potatoes au gratin on the side.
Chicken penne pasta is a quick and easy dinner that is delicious, rich, creamy, and flavorful. It’s a family favorite that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Bring on the Meaty Fall Dinners
Meatballs are probably my favorite of all ground beef recipes. These quick, easy homemade Italian meatballs are juicy, flavourful, and delicious, simmered in a rich and savoury tomato sauce. Make them in just 30 minutes.
Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
Quick and easy, glazed honey balsamic pork chops are tender and juicy, seared in thyme and coated with a honey balsamic sauce. Make it in under 30 minutes.
Ground beef meat pie with a flaky puff pastry double crust pie is filled with ground beef cooked with vegetables and seasonings. The ultimate comfort food.
Honey Glazed Roast Pork with Vegetables
Easy one pan honey glazed roast pork is moist, tender, and juicy, coated with an irresistible honey glaze and packed with potatoes, green beans and apples.
This hearty classic meatloaf with a caramelized glaze will nourish your body and soul. Feed the whole family with a simple yet flavourful classic.
Sheet pan lamb chops with vegetables are healthy and delicious, easy to make, and easier to clean up. Perfect for busy weeknights or a holiday dinner.
Sticky honey garlic meatballs are a delicious and flavourful 30-minute meal to add to your weekly dinner rotation. A total crowd pleaser.
Easy Roast Lamb with Vegetables
Easy roast lamb with vegetables is tender, juicy, and succulent and packed incredible flavour. This fancy holiday dinner is easy to prep in just 15 minutes.
Phyllo Meat Pie (Egyptian Goulash)
Phyllo meat pie (Egyptian goulash) is a savory pie made of well-seasoned ground beef that lies between layers of flaky, crispy, golden phyllo pastry dough.
Vegetarian Fall Dinner Ideas
Easy 20-Minute One Pot Lentils are a healthy, nourishing, and delicious vegan meal that is easy to make in a few simple steps. Make a big batch and freeze!
Curried Chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash
Wholesome, hearty, curried chickpea stuffed acorn squash with curry flavours is the perfect vegan and gluten-free fall comfort food for your holiday dinner.
Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach
This Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. This classic Italian dish gets a meatless upgrade in this vegetarian version.
Pumpkin Chickpea Coconut Curry
Warm yourself up this fall with a big bowl of comforting pumpkin chickpea coconut curry with cashews. Easily substitute the pumpkin in this vegan and gluten-free recipe for butternut squash. Serve it with a side of easy coconut rice.
This butternut squash galette (free-form tart) is the perfect meal any time of day. Serve it with some scrambled eggs for breakfast or alongside a big winter kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette for lunch or dinner.
Vegan Stuffed Peppers are stuffed with pan-fried mushrooms, tender rice, and veggies, making them flavorful and filling. Easy to make in under an hour!
Better than takeout, quick easy stir-fried vegetarian chow mein is packed with vegetables and coated in a delicious savoury sauce. Make it in 15 minutes.
Homemade falafel are delicious, golden brown and crispy on the outside, fluffy tender and soft inside. Plus, they're vegan, loaded with plant-based protein.
Quick, easy, and simple, vegan tofu and mushroom stir fry is a delicious meal that is ready in under 15 minutes. Serve it over a bowl of steamed rice.
Lentil Stew is a hearty and filling vegan meal loaded with vegetables like carrots and potatoes. This well seasoned vegetarian stew is ready in 45 minutes.
Hearty Soups are the Best Fall Dinners
Creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Hearty and creamy tortellini soup with sausage, spinach and kale is total comfort food in a bowl. Make this flavourful one pot meal in under 30 minutes.
Smooth, hearty and light, one pot lemon chicken orzo soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This family favourite is like chicken noodle soup with a major upgrade. Serve it with some crispy sourdough discard crackers with sesame seeds.
Healthy Miso Ramen with Chicken
It doesn't get any more cozier than a healthy miso ramen soup with chicken from the comfort of your own home. The vegan miso broth is what this ramen is all about. Seriously, weeknight dinners have never been tastier!
It's no surprise that this delicious and easy roasted butternut squash soup is the most pinned soup recipe on Pinterest. This soup captures the taste of the holidays in one spoon. Rosemary, sage and thyme, need I say more? Serve with with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
Chicken and rice soup is delicious, warm, cozy, and comforting feel-good meal that can warm you up on a chilly day. Easy to make in one pot.
Beef taco soup is a delicious take on tacos, transforming it into a hearty, wholesome, filling soup topped with all the taco fixings. Ready in 30 minutes.
Vegetarian Mushroom Barley Soup
Wholesome hearty vegetarian mushroom barley soup is healthy, filling, and so delicious. This one pot meal is easy to make with just 10 minutes of prep.
Indian-inspired, vegan, creamy coconut curry lentil soup is an easy and simple 30-minute pantry meal that is packed with spices for maximum flavour. Serve it as a soup or as a curry over some coconut rice.
Creamy ham and potato soup is hearty, filling, and so flavourful. This warm and cozy one pot meal is the easiest weeknight meal to make in just 25 minutes.
Hearty chicken tortilla soup is a delicious, wholesome and filling soup that you can make in about 30 minutes, packed with classic Mexican flavours.
Warm and cozy, creamy turkey orzo soup is wholesome, hearty, filling, and flavourful. Make this delicious one pot meal with leftover turkey in 30 minutes.
Hearty beef cabbage barley soup is wholesome, filling and flavourful. This one pot meal can be made ahead and is freezer-friendly. Prep it in 10 minutes.
Wholesome hearty one pot leftover turkey wild rice soup is the most comforting way to use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So easy to make.
Vegetarian peanut miso ramen with a creamy vegan soup base, is topped with noodles, vegetables, and a perfect soft-boiled egg. Make it in just 20 minutes.
Storing and Reheating Fall Dinners
- How to make ahead. Many of these fall dinners can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. If not, you can always prep the ingredients in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- How to store: Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Some can stored in the freezer for up to 3 months (most soups and stews!). Check the individual recipe for complete storing instructions and to confirm if the recipe is freezer-friendly.
- How to reheat: Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop over medium to low heat for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, in the air fryer or the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through (depending on the recipe). If heating from frozen, allow the dish to thaw first and then reheat.
More Fall Dinner Ideas
- 25 Warm and Cozy Fall Soup Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- 60 Best Chicken Recipes
- 25 Best Ground Beef Recipes
- 50 Best Bread Recipes
Did You Make Any of These Easy Fall Dinner Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of these easy fall dinner ideas. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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60+ Fall Dinner Ideas
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Over 60 best easy fall dinner ideas including casseroles, one pot weeknight dinners, chicken and meat, vegetarian fall recipes, soups, stews, and curries.
Ingredients
Check each individual recipe for ingredients required.
Instructions
- How to make ahead. Many of these fall dinners can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. If not, you can always prep the ingredients in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- How to store: Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Some can stored in the freezer for up to 3 months (most soups and stews!). Check the individual recipe for complete storing instructions and to confirm if the recipe is freezer-friendly.
- How to reheat: Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop over medium to low heat for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, in the air fryer or the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through (depending on the recipe). If heating from frozen, allow the dish to thaw first and then reheat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Various
- Cuisine: Various
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
Jane T says
My kids love turkey wild rice soup. Almost as much as they like to jump in our neighbor dumpster rental when dad leaves the door open. Great recipe, thanks.
Jamie says
Not only is this list of meals delicious but are also easy to prepare and budget friendly. Thank you for sharing your love of food.
Britney Jones says
That tortellini soup is amazing! My family thought so too! I could eat it every single day but I don't think my family would appreciate that haha The only problem was I has to find an upholstery cleaning company to come by after some soup was spilled on the dining room chairs, so we got it taken care of. Thanks again for the recipe!
Jamie says
This is a fabulous list! I have planned my whole week of meals for my family with this list and will be back next week too! I usually get frustrated with these types of recipe list articles having so much of the same things (not grouped, btw) and so few options I know my family will actually eat. But not this one! This article was so helpful and practical. Thanks so much!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Jamie! So happy to help!!
Suzy says
This list has got everything! It was hard to choose but we went with the pasta bake with sausage and LOVED IT!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Yay, that one is a keeper!
Gina says
This is such an amazing list of recipes! I have made several and they all have came out great!
Next up to make is the Apple Dijon Braised Chicken Thighs!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Gina! So happy you liked the recipes!