40+ Best Fall Dinner Ideas

September 01, 2024

Published: Oct 4, 2021 · Updated: Jan 15, 2024 by Laura Fuentes · This post may contain affiliate links

Enjoy these comforting, delicious healthy fall dinner recipes in the cooler weather! These are perfect to feed a crowd or a weeknight dinner for the family.

5 from 10 votes

As the temperatures begin to dip and the autumn season makes its round, our anticipation for hearty, comforting meals steadily increases. In this post, you’ll find a comprehensive list of fall dinner ideas that will feed the family and satisfy your need for something cozy and delicious.

Fall Foods and Flavors

When we think fall foods, it’s hearty stews, creamy pastas, and baked goods laced with cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, right? Not to mention “all things pumpkin spice”!

Pretty much everything we’ve looked forward to since last October.

And that’s the kind of recipe I’m sharing below. Each of these fall recipes are made with simple, in-season ingredients, that will make you thankful for cooler weather and cozy dinners.

Easy Fall Dinner Recipes

Below are the types of one-skillet and sheet pan recipes that feed a family and don’t require spending half the night in the kitchen. Out of this list, you’ll find an epic juicy baked chicken, cheesy beef pasta, and breakfast for dinner option featuring the MVP of fall: pumpkin.

Creamy Spinach Tortellini

5 from 23 votes

This Easy Veggie Tortellini with cream sauce, is mega-delicious, healthy and comes together super fast!

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Pumpkin Pasta

4.97 from 27 votes

A delicious and simple meal that comes together with pasta, grated Parmesan, pumpkin puree, and a touch of cream. It tastes nothing like pumpkin pie but a savory and creamy pasta dish your family will love.

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Turkey Skillet Tamale Pie

4.91 from 21 votes

When all you want to do is curl up. on the couch with a hot bowl of skillet pie. This Turkey Tamale Pie hits the spot all autumn long.

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Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

5 from 19 votes

Chicken baked in a creamy Parmesan coating that locks in all the moisture while giving it a beautiful golden and cheesy crust. It’s delicious, and leftovers are even better the next day.

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Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

5 from 16 votes

Sautéed sweet potatoes, kale, and smoky chorizo sausage topped with a runny egg- I swear this breakfast hash tastes better around 7 p.m and comes together quickly in one skillet.

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Healthy Fall Dinner Ideas

When we think of cozy fall food, we often think of heavy dishes, lots of carbs, and rich sauces, but who said comfort food can’t be good for you? Here’s the fall edition of healthy and satisfying dinners even the kids will love:

Ground Turkey Chili

5 from 15 votes

How do I describe my turkey and veggie chili? It’s the #1, G.O.A.T, best-ever, and will convert any bean chili lover in a heartbeat. It’s made with no beans but still has that same hearty texture and smoky flavor we all love.

Make This Recipe plate of roast chicken and vegetables

Roasted Chicken & Fall Vegetable Salad

5 from 25 votes

Juicy chicken with roasted beets, butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts served over a bed of greens and tossed in a tangy, citrus vinaigrette. It tastes just like it sounds: amazing and brings out the fresh side of fall.

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Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats

5 from 19 votes

Homemade meat sauce stuffed into baked spaghetti squash with ricotta cheese is a lightened-up meal that feels hearty and indulgent.

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Fall Soup Recipes

There’s nothing like cozying up to a bowl of soup on a crisp, cool evening. This list includes vegetarian, grain-free, gluten-free, veggie-loaded, and of course, chicken soups.

Turkey Stew

5 from 14 votes

Need something to soothe the soul? This delicious soup with roasted turkey and veggies simmered in a light, creamy broth will do the trick.

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Chicken Taco Soup

5 from 24 votes

All those chicken taco flavors in a bowl of soup and loaded with your favorite toppings. And it takes less than 30 minutes from stove-top to table.

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Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

5 from 23 votes

Chai spices take this creamy butternut squash soup to a new level. It has a smooth velvet texture thanks to the immersion blender and delicious savory flavor with notes of cinnamon and ginger.

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Fall Side Dishes

Side dishes are one of the best parts of fall dinners and a Thanksgiving feast. The list below provides a good mix of recipes you can serve at both events while showing you delicious ways to prepare seasonal autumn vegetables that will make your family “fall in love”.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

5 from 32 votes

Brussels sprouts are pan-seared to golden brown perfection with bacon and finished with tangy balsamic vinegar for a highly addictive side dish.

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Sausage & Cornbread Stuffing

5 from 40 votes

A classic, Southern stuffing made with buttery cornbread and Italian sausage. Whether you use it to stuff the turkey or serve on the side, everyone will be asking for seconds, and for a copy of the recipe.

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Cranberry Quinoa Salad

5 from 30 votes

Fresh, delicious, and packed with nutrition this quinoa salad is one you’ll want to have often! Save time by mixing all the salad ingredients except the spinach ahead of time, and combine with the spinach right before serving.

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Entertaining Fall Dishes

Hosting a get-together or Thanksgiving dinner? I’ve got just what you need to impress a crowd and give your dinner table a delicious variety of hor d’ oeuvres and sweet treats.