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30 Cozy Fall Recipes & Dinner Ideas
August 5, 2024
As the warm summer days start to come to an end, it’s time to bring out all of the cozy fall flavors. I’m talking warm bowls of pasta, cozy mugs of soup, and hearty fall salads that are anything but boring. In this post, I’m rounding up 30 of my favorite Cozy Fall Recipes & Dinner Ideas that you can enjoy all season long!
What Makes a Fall-Friendly Recipe?
To me, what makes a recipe seasonal comes down to one thing: the flavor profile. It’s true that as the seasons change, your tastes may change as well! In the summertime, I find myself craving recipes that have a cooler flavor profile, like my crunchy cucumber salad recipes or grill-friendly recipes like my grilled lemon salmon skewers. But as the weather starts to cool down, I find myself craving warmer, heartier recipes that are packed with lots of flavors and spice. That’s where these recipes come in!
From the heartiest fall salads to warm and cozy dinner recipes, these 30 recipes are packed with fall-friendly flavors to keep your belly full and your body warm all season long.
Crave-Worthy Pasta Recipes
There’s nothing better in the chillier months than cozying up with a warm bowl of pasta. From my protein-packed lasagna to crispy sheet pan mac n cheese, you can never go wrong with delicious pasta. These are some of my family’s favorite fall pasta recipe, and I know that your family will love them, too.
1) Hunter’s Favorite Baked Swedish Meatballs & Noodles
There is no dish more cozy and comforting than tender Swedish Meatballs and noodles. This is my son Hunter's Favorite Baked Swedish Meatballs & Noodles – a recipe that he requests weekly, in my household, and one that I have absolutely perfected! These meatballs are a better-for-you recipe inspired by the IKEA café classic recipe, and comes together with the creamiest, most delicious sauce. Your family is going to love it!
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2) Easy High Protein Skillet Lasagna
Say hello to the easiest and most delicious high protein lasagna you will ever make – in one skillet. There's no boiling the lasagna noodles beforehand and no layering project involved. To make this Easy High Protein Skillet Lasagna, all you have to do is brown the onions and garlic, add the seasonings, lasagna noodle pieces, marinara sauce and cheeses, and the entire meal gets cooked right in the pan. How easy is that! And trust me, you'll never go back to making lasagna the traditional way ever again because this is so much easier.
3) One-Pan “Marry Me” Chicken Orzo
Tender chicken breasts paired with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and hearty orzo is such a good combination, it'll make you want to marry the person who made it for you! Introducing my One-Pan "Marry Me" Chicken Orzo, an easy, delicious take on the classic "Marry Me" chicken. This dish is the perfect weeknight dinner: it comes together with just one pan and and in a matter of minutes, making it the perfect cozy and comforting weeknight dinner.
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4) Crispy Sheet Pan Chili Mac n Cheese
A creamy, cheesy, mac n cheese is the ultimate comfort food. And there's no dish more comforting than my Crispy Sheet Pan Chili Mac n Cheese. This mac n cheese is packed with tender green chilis, crispy panko breadcrumbs, and loads of gooey cheese for a dish that melts in your mouth. And, it all comes together on a sheet pan, to ensure that every bite is as crispy as the last! Don't believe me? Make it for yourself and you'll see how delicious it is!
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5) Easy Baked Penne with Meatballs
If you're looking for the perfect recipe to add to your weekly meal prep routine, then look no further because this is it! This is my Easy Baked Penne with Meatballs – a delicious, simple pasta recipe that yields 4 days of lunches or dinners in less than an hour. Plus, no need to boil the pasta ahead of time or dirty up a ton of dishes – this recipe can be mad right within your glass meal prep containers, saving you time and energy on the cleanup!
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6) Walnut Pesto Pasta with Crunchy Garlic Breadcrumbs
Light and refreshing walnut pesto comes together with tender pasta and the perfect breadcrumb topping for the ultimate summer pasta recipe! My Walnut Pesto Pasta with Crunchy Garlic Croutons is simple, easy, no-fuss, and is sure to become a staple recipe in your household, this summer!
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7) One-Pan Italian Sausage Gnocchi
If a quick-and-easy comfort meal is what you’re craving, then this is the perfect recipe for you. My One-Pan Italian Sausage Gnocchi is a creamy, hearty pasta dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s full of fluffy gnocchi, hearty Italian Sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce for a classic comfort recipe made in minutes.
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8) Healthy Hamburger Helper
Say "bye-bye" to sad, boxed meals and "hello" to this gorgeous, healthy twist on your childhood favorite! My Healthy Hamburger Helper recipe is a light and simple twist on the American classic, and can easily be made gluten-free! Plus, this recipe comes together with only one pot, and in 30 minutes. Weeknight dinners have never been more easy, more delicious, or more nostalgic!
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9) Simple Lemon Garlic Pasta
Don't be fooled by the word "simple" – this recipe may be simple, but its flavor is anything but! This Simple Lemon Garlic Pasta is bursting with aromatic shallots, fresh garlic, and vibrant lemon for a classic flavor profile that truly cannot be beat. Make it this Valentine's Day, or anytime that you're looking for the perfect, simple, yet luxurious dinner!
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Meal Prep-Friendly Soup Recipes
If you’re looking for the perfect meal prep-friendly recipes this fall, look no further than these comforting soups. They are packed with veggies (making these recipes perfect for kids) and herbs that keep them flavorful, all week long. I love to prepare a big batch of each of these soups at the beginning of the week, and store them in the fridge or freezer for a ready-to-eat meal that’s ready in minutes!
10) Zesty Cauliflower Leek Soup
Savory leeks come together with tender cauliflower to form your latest soup obsession. Introducing my Zesty Cauliflower Leek Soup, a creamy, vegetarian-friendly soup that's made from just a few simple and healthy ingredients. When the weather turns cold, I love reaching for this soup to instantly warm me up in minutes. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week, and you'll have the most delicious soup ready in minutes!
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11) Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
My Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is a warm and cozy concoction filled with tender chicken, soft rice, and zesty lemon. This hearty soup is inspired by my late grandmother Peris' traditional egg-lemon soup recipe, and it also tastes a lot like the avgolemono soup from one of my favorite San Francisco restaurants, Souvla. It's truly a hug in a cup (or bowl!).
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12) Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Soup (with Sourdough Feta Croutons)
Butternut squash soup is a staple when it comes to cozy and comforting winter recipes. But this recipe takes everything that you know and love about butternut squash soup and raises it to the next level. This Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Soup (with Sourdough Feta Croutons) is a creamy bowl of joy. Filled with tender chunks of butternut squash, rich feta cheese, and the perfect amount of herbs and seasonings, this is a soup that only gets better with time. Plus, it's topped with homemade sourdough feta croutons, making this dish feel like an elevated take on grilled cheese and soup. What could be better than that?!
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13) Hearty Dairy-Free Chicken Dumpling Soup
Tender vegetables, hearty rotisserie chicken, and soft, pillowy dumplings come together to create classic recipe that everyone will enjoy. My Hearty Dairy-Free Chicken Dumpling Soup is a better-for-you twist on the classic recipe. It's sweet, hearty, and filling without being heavy, which means that it's perfect for keeping you full during those chilly winter months!
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14) The Ultimate One-Pot Lasagna Soup
There's nothing better than a cozy and comforting soup on a chilly night… except for combining that soup with the rich, hearty flavors of lasagna. This is The Ultimate One-Pot Lasagna Soup, and it's filled with all of the elements of lasagna that you know and love. From the tender meat to the soft noodles and a creamy three-cheese topping, this recipe comes together in just one pot in 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy!
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15) Hearty Zuppa Toscana
There is nothing better than a creamy comforting soup during those chilly winter months. And when it comes to comforting soups, nothing fits the bill better than a big bowl of Zuppa Toscana. Translating to "Tuscan Soup," this hearty soup is filled with tender potatoes, Italian sausage, and lots of parmesan cheese. What could be better than that? My Hearty Zuppa Toscana is a better-for-you take on the classic recipe that is perfect to keep your belly full and your heart warm, all winter long!
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16) Comforting Italian Wedding Soup
If I could eat this soup every single night, I would be the happiest person on Earth! My Comforting Italian Wedding Soup is a rich, delicious soup that's sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters (trust me, with two little boys, I'm no stranger to picky eaters!) This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly, so it's truly perfect for everyone!
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17) Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup
My Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup is the only soup you need in your life, this Winter! It's full of delicious herbs and hearty white beans, to not only keep you full, but also satisfied! Plus, it's gluten-free and vegan, too. Prep this soup ahead of time or make it quickly when the craving strikes – destiny is in your hands!
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Hearty Fall Salad Recipes
When the weather starts to cool down, I love adding warmer flavors and textures to my regular salad recipes, like dried cranberries, warm sweet potato, and cozy maple syrup in the dressing. These salad recipes are perfect for the fall season!
18) Hearty Kale Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
When it comes to the colder, winter months, salads often tend to get forgotten. After all, salads are known for being cold, refreshing, and light. However, if there was ever a perfect winter salad, it would have to be this one. Introducing my Hearty Kale Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette: a warm, comforting salad full of tender kale, cozy butternut squash, and a delicious homemade dijon vinaigrette. This salad is gluten-free, grain-free, and can easily be made dairy-free, so what are you waiting for? Run, don't walk, to your kitchen and go make this salad today!
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19) Warm Roasted Veggie Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
Warm roasted veggies come together with perfect curly kale and a sweet and tangy dressing for a salad that will be perfect on your Thanksgiving dinner table this year. That's right, my Warm Roasted Veggie Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette is a warm salad that is packed with a medley of vegetables that are spiced to perfection and paired with a homemade vinaigrette dressing. It's perfect for serving up on its own as a healthy and delicious dinner, or alongside your favorite mains.
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20) Ultimate Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette
If a crunchy salad that only gets better with time is what you're looking for, then look no further because this is it! My Ultimate Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette is a simple salad that's filled with crunchy shaved brussels sprouts, red pear, pomegranate arils, and pepitas for a perfectly crunchy salad that is packed with flavor. Plus, it's topped with a homemade lemon shallot vinaigrette that is so good, you could drink it.
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21) Easy Maroulosalata Salad (Kokkari Copycat)
There is nothing better than a bright and refreshing Greek-style salad. Filled with crisp lettuces, bright herbs, and a creamy feta cheese dressing, Maroulosalata, aka a Greek lettuce salad, is the definition of just that. My Easy Maroulosalata Salad is a simple and healthy take on this traditional Greek recipe, and is a riff off of my favorite salad from famed San Francisco-based restaurant, Kokkari. It comes together in just a few minutes, and is perfect as an appetizer or as a main course!
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22) Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
Say goodbye to boring salads, and hello00 to my Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing. This is THE ultimate salad for fall, loaded with tons of vibrant, fresh veggies, crisp fruit, and a little cheese. Oh, and not to mention, my maple tahini dressing that is absolutely to die for. If you've been looking for a good salad recipe, then look no further: you've found it!
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23) Copycat Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad
Warning: this delicious salad may just change your life. I'm not kidding! My Copycat Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad is my vibrant, flavorful, and cost-effective take on one of my favorite salads from Los Angeles' favorite grocery store. It's loaded with crunchy kale, creamy avocado, and protein-packed white beans for a combination that is truly unmatched. So, whether you are in LA or not, you can enjoy this salad right from the comfort of your own home!
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Delicious Fall Dinner Recipes
If warm, comforting, easy-to-assemble main courses are calling your name, then you are going to love these recipes. Most of these dinner recipes come together in 30 minutes or less, and are perfect for storing in the fridge and enjoying throughout the week.
24) The Ultimate Easy Beef Tenderloin
Say goodbye to the days of tough and overcooked beef – forever. This is The Ultimate Easy Beef Tenderloin, and it comes together in just a matter of minutes with a few simple and easy ingredients. This delicious cut of meat is small, lean, and bursting with flavor, making it the perfect dish to serve as an easy weeknight dinner, or even at your holiday dinner table!
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25) Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon
Tender, juicy salmon fillets stuffed with a medley of cream cheese, spinach, and parmesan cheese is truly a match made in heaven. And, all of these ingredients come together in my Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon, aka the ultimate weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. This recipe is such a fun and delicious way to prepare salmon that is perfect for the whole family!
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26) Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you are looking for a hearty and delicious holiday recipe that also happens to be gut-healthy friendly, then look no further, because this is it! This Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash is perfectly festive, rich in flavor, and is a delicious vegetarian-friendly option to serve your friends and family, this holiday season. Plus, it's also gluten-free!
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27) Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats
If an easy, delicious, low-carb dinner is calling your name, then look no further because this is it! My Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats are the perfect way to enjoy the flavors and taste of pizza, but rolled into one of my favorite fall ingredients. This recipe is also naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so you already know that it's going to be both healthy and delicious!
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Fall-Friendly Side Dish Recipes
No dinner is complete without the side dishes, and these side dishes are the perfect accompaniment to any fall dinner recipe. Plus, many of these are perfect for Thanksgiving (or other family get-togethers).
28) Best Ever Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes
There is no dish that is more quintessential to American cooking than mashed potatoes. Think: creamy, cheesy, smooth potatoes often topped with chives, fresh herbs, and a whole lot of butter. My version of mashed potatoes isn't your typical recipe – after all, they aren't called the Best Ever Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes for nothing! These potatoes are loaded with herbs, topped with buttery caramelized onions, and are perfect for serving on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
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29) The Best Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Romesco Dipping Sauce
Crispy smashed brussels sprouts served alongside a creamy, homemade dip makes for the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or plant-based side dish for your holiday get togethers, Thanksgiving celebrations, or anytime that you need to feed a crowd! Introducing The Best Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Romesco Dipping Sauce, aka the only way that you need to cook brussles sprouts from hereon out! The brussles sprouts come out perfectly crispy, and the Romesco dipping sauce is so good, you'll want to drink it. Believe me when I say that this recipe will have you loving brussels sprouts in a whole new way!
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30) Spiced Roasted Carrots with Lemony Whipped Feta
Warm roasted carrots sit atop a bed of creamy whipped feta for a Thanksgiving side dish that will please both the vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, at your dinner table. Introducing my Spiced Roasted Carrots with Lemony Whipped Feta, a delicious and easy dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. It's made from perfectly spiced carrots, a creamy homemade whipped feta dip that comes together in seconds, and is garnished with fresh herbs and pomegranate arils for a bright flavor profile that is sure to stand out!
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If you decide to make any of these recipes, please be sure to leave a comment and rating below! And since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so I can see them and repost on my IG stories! Enjoy! xx
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