Perfect for cool nights, our fall dinner ideas are the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. These soups, stews, braises and bakes will help you make the most out of autumn.
37 Warm and Cozy Fall Dinner Recipes
Updated on Oct. 05, 2024
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This melt-in-your-mouth pot roast is the sort of dinner you dream about coming home to all day. Start this recipe in the slow cooker before you head out to work in the morning and it will braise away to fall-apart tenderness as you go about your day. Then make a pot of egg noodles, or whip up a quick potato recipe, and dinner is served.
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Classic French Onion Soup
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Nothing says fall like a warm, savory, extra-cheesy bowl of French onion soup. Though yellow onions are commonly used in this recipe, you can also make it with other types of onions, like Vidalias, Walla Wallas or Mauis.
For more ideas, check out these cozy fall soup recipes.
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Pepper-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Spicy stuffing balances the delicate flavor of pork in this dish that looks great on the plate—and tastes even better! —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia
In this dish, the delicate taste of pork is balanced with a lightly spicy stuffing featuring red bell peppers and a touch of cayenne. For an extra layer of flavor, brush the tenderloin with a mustard barbecue sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking, and serve extra sauce on the side.
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Pumpkin Bisque with Smoked Gouda
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the smell of this rich, cheesy soup as it bubbles on the stove. The Gouda cheese adds a delightful smokiness that just says autumn to me.—Kerry Dingwall, Wilmington, North Carolina
Your house will start to smell like autumn as this rich, cheesy soup bubbles on the stove. The Gouda cheese adds a delightful smokiness that makes this pumpkin soup taste nice and cozy for sweater weather.
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My Brazilian Feijoada
Total Time
7 hours 40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A co-worker's mom used to make this feijoada recipe for him, and it was his favorite. So I made him my own version. Instead of sausage you can use ham hocks, or substitute lean white meat for the red meat if you prefer. —Christiane Counts, Webster, Texas
A stick-to-your-ribs supper by way of Brazil, feijoada is stew made with chunks of pork shoulder and beef short ribs, simmered in the slow cooker until the meat is fall-apart tender. Serve this with a basket full of pão de queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread made with tapioca flour.
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Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago. Ever since then, it's been a go-to whenever I need good food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
This hearty beef and Burgundy wine stew is a staple dish at every French bistro. It’s so simple to make, this recipe should be a staple dish at your house, too! When choosing a wine to cook with, buy something that won’t break the bank but is still good enough to drink. Start with our picks for the best boxed wines.
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Meatball Submarine Casserole
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We were hosting a bunch of friends, and after a comedy of errors, I had to come up with a plan B for dinner. I realized that much-loved meatball subs are even better as a hearty casserole—so delicious! —Rick Friedman, Palm Springs, California
Saucy meatball subs are just as delicious (and a lot less messy!) when baked into a hearty casserole. This recipe uses frozen meatballs as a time saver, but you can also make these quick and simple meatballs if you’d prefer something more homemade.
For more ideas, check out these comforting fall casserole recipes.
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Spicy Chili
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This spicy chili recipe is the culmination of several years' worth of experimenting to get just the right flavor. For those who like their chili very hot, the secret is to add more jalapenos. The most I ever used in a recipe was five ... was it spicy! —Liesha Hoek, Somerset, New Jersey
9/37
Quick Golden Squash Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn't like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
This delectable soup will make your whole house smell like fall, and it takes only about 30 minutes to get it on the table. It can be difficult to cut up a winter squash, so if time is an issue—or if you’re not confident in your knife skills—paying a little extra for precut butternut squash is worth it.
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Italian Hot Dish
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
This easy baked pasta dish tastes like a glorious mash-up of baked ziti and Philly cheesesteaks. It’s also easy to adjust the recipe to accommodate your personal tastes or picky eaters. Not much for mushrooms or green peppers? Swap them out for other vegetables you like (try eggplant). Mix up the meat with some crumbled Italian sausage, or use ground chicken or turkey instead.
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Apple Cider Pork Chops
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple cider pork chops are a must for fall family dinners. I serve them with buttered egg noodles to soak up more of that delicious sauce. The recipe is easy to double when company pops in. —Debiana Casterline, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
These pork chops are a must for fall dinners, no matter the size of the crowd! The recipe is easy to double when company pops in. Try serving the pork chops with mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles to soak up more of that delicious sauce.
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Stuffed Pepper Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
There’s no doubt that stuffed pepper recipes are amazing but they can take more time than you have to spare on a busy weeknight. This easy soup recipe, which is a one-pot wonder, fixes that problem—bringing you all the flavors you’re craving with fewer dishes to wash.
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Caribbean Curried Chicken
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I've eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It's delicious served over rice. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina
If you can’t find a bottled version of the mojo criollo marinade this chicken recipe calls for (it’s a Cuban marinade made with garlic, sour orange juice and cumin), use our guide to making marinades to help you come up with your own special recipe.
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BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and it's simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet-and-savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and is simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet and savory twist on the classic—featuring boxed cornbread mix, chopped barbecue chicken, tart green apples and gooey Monterey Jack cheese—is a delicious way to enjoy an old favorite.
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Carrot Soup with Orange & Tarragon
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A pretty orange color, a delicious hint of citrus and a garden-fresh flavor make this soup a requested dish at my many celebrations. Try sprinkling individual bowls with fresh tarragon before serving. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
A pretty orange color, a delicious hint of citrus and a garden-fresh flavor make this soup feel like something truly special, yet still simple enough to enjoy any night of the week. Try sprinkling individual bowls with fresh tarragon before serving.
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Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Acorn squash gets the sweet and savory treatment when stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries to make this cozy main dish. Cooking the squash in the microwave is an easy solution for a busy weeknight. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Acorn squash gets the sweet-and-savory treatment when it’s stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries. Cooking the squash in the microwave makes this pretty fall dinner quick enough to make on a busy weeknight.
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Moroccan Braised Beef
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Curry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Curry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste.
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Kentucky Hot Brown
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The Kentucky Hot Brown is the best sandwich you will ever eat with a knife and fork. This epic open-faced delight has thick slices of bread, turkey, bacon, tomato and cheese, all bathed in a rich, irresistible sauce. —Kristina Vanni, North Hollywood, California
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Saucy Italian Roast
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender roast is one of my favorite set-and-forget meals. I thicken the juices with a little flour and add ketchup, then serve the sauce and beef slices over pasta. —Jan Roat, Red Lodge, Montana
This easy slow-cooker dinner relies on a few store-bought shortcuts to make setting-and-forgetting even easier, including using canned mushrooms and spaghetti sauce. Use this simple hack to make store-bought pasta sauce taste homemade!
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Beef Roast Dinner
Total Time
7 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, nutrition or to suit your tastes!—Sandra Dudley, Bemidji, Minnesota
Because this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, nutrition or to suit your tastes! For starters, swap out some of the potatoes for sweet potatoes, or another root vegetable like celeriac.
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Firehouse Chili
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
As one of the cooks at the firehouse, I used to prepare meals for 10 men. This firehouse chili recipe was among their favorites. —Richard Clements, San Dimas, California
This recipe was written by a real firehouse chef that used to prepare meals for 10 men, so if you’re looking for a recipe that will keep a crowd good and full, this authentic firehouse chili may very well be the one!
22/37
Blue Cheese-Mushroom Stuffed Tenderloin
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s my go-to entree for just about any special occasion. Filled with a savory stuffing, the sliced tenderloin looks and tastes like a specialty from an upscale restaurant. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
This recipe is a great choice for a special occasion—or any night when you find yourself in the mood to be fancy. Filled with a savory stuffing, the sliced tenderloin looks and tastes like a specialty dish from an upscale restaurant.
23/37
Stuffing Crust Turkey Potpie
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a wonderful, stick-to-the-ribs dish that slices well since the filling is thicker than that of traditional potpies. Prebaking the crust makes it crunchy.—Tamara Furda, Naperville, Illinois
For a faster, more flavor-packed way to get potpie to the table, skip the standard rolled double pie crust and follow this recipe instead. Boxed stuffing mix and broth make a press-in crust that’s easy as, well, potpie!
24/37
Stout & Honey Beef Roast
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh, so good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Here’s a heartwarming slow cooker meal that’s ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh so good. If you have leftover stout after making this roast, use it in one of these recipes to make with Guinness, which will work with any brand of stout beer.
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Braised Herb Pork Chops
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These herb-packed braised pork chops are perfect for entertaining because they come together quickly and bake for up to 2 hours. While visiting, my guests and I can enjoy the wonderful aroma. —Darci Truax, Billings, Montana
These herb-packed braised pork chops are great for entertaining; the recipe comes together quickly and then spends 2 hours in the oven, giving you plenty of time to relax with your guests.
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Best Ever Mac & Cheese
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This mac and cheese has a sauce loaded with three different cheeses that bubble and ooze as it bakes in the oven. A crispy, buttery bread crumb topping provides textural contrast; for a more flavorful “oomph,” replace the bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds, crushed potato chips or Ritz crackers.
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Pozole
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This spicy stewlike soup is traditionally served in New Mexico at holiday time to celebrate life's blessings, but it's good any time of year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
28/37
Pumpkin Harvest Beef Stew
Total Time
6 hours 55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
By the time the stew is done simmering and a batch of bread finishes baking, the house smells absolutely wonderful. —Marcia O'Neil, Cedar Crest, New Mexico
Comfort food manages to get even more comforting in this pumpkin-spiced riff on hearty beef stew. This recipe is written for a slow cooker, but if you’d prefer your stew to spend the day simmering on the stove and filling your house with aromas, make this recipe in a Dutch oven instead.
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Turkey Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Finding healthy recipes the family will eat is a challenge. This elegant squash is one we love, and it works with pork or chicken sausage, too. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
This couldn’t-be-simpler dinner is so stunning, it makes any night of the week feel like something special. Each stuffed acorn squash is a full meal in itself, so side dishes aren’t really necessary. If you’d like to put something else on the table, it’s hard to go wrong with garlic bread.
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Hominy Beef Chili
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Hunker down for the night and get cozy with this filling chili. Loaded with beef chuck roast and convenient staples, such as diced tomatoes, green chiles and seasonings, it’s a satisfying supper that would be yummy served with a side of warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Hunker down for the night and get cozy with this filling chili. Loaded with beef chuck roast and convenient staples, such as diced tomatoes, green chilies and seasonings, it’s a satisfying supper that would be yummy served with a side of warm homemade tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping.
By using quick-cooking pork tenderloin instead of a braising cut like pork shoulder, this pork chili is ready to eat in less than an hour. Brimming with poblano and sweet red peppers for a hearty kick, serve this chili with some cooling sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips.
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North African Chicken and Rice
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always looking to try recipes from different cultures, and this one is a huge favorite. We love the spice combinations. This cooks equally well in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Moroccan food is heavily spiced with a mixture of interesting ingredients and exciting flavor combinations that may be new to you. This simple slow-cooker chicken dish mixes bold spices like cinnamon, chili powder and turmeric with salty olives and tart lemons.
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Veggie Mac and Cheese
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon
34/37
Mom’s White Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom made this lasagna for special occasions, such as birthdays. When she passed, I inherited her cookbooks—tucked inside one of them, I found this recipe folded into a letter she wrote to me while I was stationed overseas. It's a hearty, rich dish that reminds me of home. —Janet Wing, Minot, North Dakota
Instead of the classic lasagna combo of pasta, cheese and marinara sauce, this white lasagna layers its pasta with sausage, a velvety wine-based cream sauce, and four types of cheese: cheddar, cottage cheese, Gouda and cream cheese. Serve alongside something acidic that can cut through all the cream, like a simple, vinegary Italian salad.
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Apple-Roasted Pork with Cherry Balsamic Glaze
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I added roasted apples, cherries and onions to turn ordinary pork into an impressive dish. There is a short time span between caramelized onions and burned ones, so pay close attention once they start cooking. —Josh Downey, McHenry, Illinois
Turn an ordinary pork loin into an impressive dinner party-worthy dish by adding roasted apples, caramelized onions, bright balsamic vinegar and whole pitted cherries. If you have fresh cherries, then by all means use them, but flash frozen cherries work just as well!
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Baked Pumpkin Goat Cheese Alfredo with Bacon
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a unique and delicious pasta, perfect for fall. I made this for my girlfriends, and everyone asked for the recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
In this recipe, curly cellentani pasta gets tossed with a quick and easy pumpkin cream sauce that’s been mixed with creamy goat cheese, then baked with a topping of additional cheese and crispy bacon. Could this be the most craveable fall pasta dish ever? Possibly.
37/37
Turkey Curry with Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’ve got lots of leftover turkey but are tired of Thanksgiving-inspired riffs on leftovers, try this easy curry recipe with carrots, cauliflower, creamy coconut milk and mango chutney. Serve this on top of a big bowl of rice or with a side of homemade naan bread.
After these dinner recipes, you’ll want to enjoy a fall dessert with any of these fall baking recipes.
