30 Delicious Fall Dinner Ideas

Published: 10/07/2024Updated: 10/14/2024

When the leaves begin to fall, it’s time to add cozy, comforting meals to your dinner rotation. Here I’m sharing 30 delicious fall dinner recipes that are worthy of a spot on your family table. Try classics like creamy chicken noodle soup and turkey pot pie, or a vegetarian favorite like butternut squash mac and cheese.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or taking in a weekend football game from the comfort of your couch, here are 30+ delicious fall dinner recipes to add to your menu this season.

If you’re looking for a savory way to use up all those seasonal apples, my apple cider chicken has been very popular with readers. It’s a quick and easy 1-skillet meal, and the flavors are abundant with the sweet sautéed apples and herbed chicken.

If fall weather gets you excited for soups, I have lots to share. Although my website focuses mainly on dessert recipes, my creamy chicken noodle soup and sweet potato turkey chili are two reader favorites. Both make large batches, so you can make a pot for dinner and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.

I love serving these, as well as minestrone soup, in homemade bread bowls. If serving in regular bowls, a loaf of 4-ingredient artisan bread or these homemade breadsticks make for excellent dipping.

Seasonal fall produce also means plenty of tasty vegetarian meals, too. Vegetarian pumpkin chili and biscuit and vegetable pot pie (pictured below) are two popular choices for non-meat eaters and meat eaters alike.

And if you’re hosting company, whip up a batch of my honeycrisp apple sangria or apple cider autumn sangria for a festive drink to serve.

As a reminder, all of my recipes include make-ahead and freezing options. (You can find that information at the bottom of each printable recipe.)

30 Delicious Fall Dinner Recipes

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

This is smoky and spiced sweet potato turkey chili, and it’s as hearty and satisfying as it is flavorful! It comes together in the slow cooker with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, beans, a generous dose of seasoning, and a little jalapeño heat.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

This is my favorite recipe for classic marinara turkey meatballs to use on sandwiches, with pasta, or even on their own. I make them almost weekly; so versatile!

Maple-Roasted Squash & Kale Salad

Full of fall and winter’s best produce, seasoned toasted chickpeas, and tossed with a maple cider vinaigrette, this maple-roasted squash kale salad will be your new favorite salad in the cooler months.

Skillet Apple Cider Chicken (Quick & Easy)

This is a quick, crowd-pleasing, and ultra-flavorful chicken dish that’s made in just 1 skillet. Add this one to your regular dinner rotation throughout the season!

Butternut Squash & Mushroom Tart

This savory butternut squash and mushroom tart highlights seasonal vegetables together with garlic, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese. If you’re looking for a different appetizer, lunch, side dish, or light dinner to try, this is it!

Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs

My baked chicken meatballs are packed with flavor, baked, and then brushed with a lemony garlic herb butter. Serve with pasta, rice, a salad, or all on their own for an easy weeknight dinner.

Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili (GF & Vegan)

This 1-pot vegetarian pumpkin chili is filled with flavor, texture, and just enough spice. Pumpkin puree makes for a thick and creamy chili.

Turkey Pot Pie

This hearty turkey pot pie uses 1 pie crust as the topping and plenty of delicious vegetables and cooked turkey in the creamy gravy filling. Make sure you save this one for all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey later in the season.

Roasted Vegetable Whole Wheat Pizza

Amp up your fall pizza nights with this simple recipe for roasted vegetable pizza. I love using these toppings on my hearty whole wheat pizza dough.

Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Oh-so creamy butternut squash mac and cheese is your answer to a satisfying but lightened-up weeknight meal. My recipe is meat-free, full of flavor, and makes great leftovers.

Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie

This completely from-scratch chicken pot pie nourishes the soul! It’s simple to prepare, features 2 buttery flaky pie crusts, and is customizable with your favorite vegetables.

Homemade Stromboli

If you love my popular pizza dough recipe, you’ll love it transformed into a cheesy homemade stromboli. Use your favorite meats, cheeses, and fillings to make your new go-to pizza night menu item.

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Vegetables

My family declared this dish an instant favorite, with its tender chicken, creamy garlic pan sauce, and vibrant roasted vegetables. Bonus: it can be on the table in only 45 minutes.

Thick & Hearty Minestrone Soup

This hearty minestrone soup is filled with delicious colorful vegetables, plenty of spices, and a unique rich texture. I love preparing it with rice, but feel free to use your favorite pasta instead.

Maryland Crab Soup

There are many ways to make this tomato- and broth-based soup, and this is my family’s favorite. It’s generously spiced, extra satisfying, and chock full of delicious crab.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Readers around the world agree that this is the best homemade chicken noodle soup recipe. It’s the perfect mix of everything we crave in a fall dinner—easy, wholesome, and satisfying!

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Here’s my family’s favorite slow cooker chicken chili recipe—a true “set it and forget it” dinner that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week.

Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet and savory honey teriyaki chicken is tender, juicy, extra saucy—and most importantly—simple to prepare in a slow cooker. It’s excellent with rice and veggies or sandwiched on a hearty roll.

Easy Maple Sesame Salmon

This easy maple sesame salmon is a quick and delicious feel-good dish that I turn to often during the fall months. I usually complete the meal with rice and vegetables or a salad on the side.

Cornbread Chili Casserole

With an oven-safe skillet, this cornbread chili casserole can go from stove to oven in 1 pan. Plus, it’s pretty versatile; customize the chili with your favorite add-ins and preferred spice level.

Zucchini & Sweet Potato Fritters

These savory stovetop cakes combine zucchini, sweet potato, onion, garlic, and plenty of fresh herbs to bring you a flavorful vegetarian meal. Creamy and refreshing herbed Greek yogurt sauce is a must-make accompaniment.

Creamy Lemon Thyme Chicken

One skillet is the only pan you need to cook this tender chicken and creamy lemon herb sauce. It’s easy, great alongside rice and veggies, and oh-so-saucy!

Mushroom Puff Pastry Tarts

These are mega flaky mushroom puff pastry tarts with tangy gorgonzola cheese, fragrant thyme and rosemary, and a dash of slightly sweet balsamic vinegar. You’ll enjoy all of these robust and rich flavors on buttery puff pastry layers.

Walnut-Crusted Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze

This walnut-crusted chicken is a favorite for our family holidays and gatherings, but it’s totally doable for a quick weeknight meal. You’ll love the combination of toasted walnuts, juicy chicken, and sweet honey mustard.

Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe

This savory ham and potato casserole is cheesy, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s a delicious way to use leftover ham, and it can do double duty as a brunch recipe or a cozy fall dinner dish.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Corn Soup

This is an easy slow cooker dinner the whole family will love. It’s lightened up but still has wonderfully rich and hearty texture and flavor.

Biscuit & Vegetable Pot Pie

My biscuit & vegetable pot pie casserole features a simple 5-ingredient biscuit topping and is filled with plenty of vegetables like mushrooms, peas, broccoli, and carrots—or use your favorites.

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

These sausage stuffed peppers are a delicious twist on the traditional beef version. The easy flavorful filling includes sausage, garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, and basil, plus your favorite cheese.

Company-Worthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

White cheddar, crispy bacon, and garlicky spinach create a fancied-up mac and cheese recipe that everyone adores. Or skip the baking and add-ins for a simple weeknight dinner recipe.

Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp

This 20-minute honey garlic shrimp is extra quick and very simple, yet it delivers big on flavor. Complete the healthy dish with brown rice and vegetables, or enjoy these tasty shrimp over an easy salad.

Don’t forget the sides!

And, obviously, don’t forget dessert! Hop over to my 30+ best pumpkin dessert recipes and 30+ fall cake recipes if you need some sweet & seasonal inspiration.