11 Unbelievably Easy and Delicious Fall Recipes
Fall is perhaps the most loved season by everyone who has experienced it even once. It’s not too warm nor too cold, the colors of the trees are amazing, the sceneries explode bright orange, and we start planning for the Holidays - which is always a good feeling. And more importantly, you can now get away with putting that extra layer or two of clothing on you without getting weird looks at the office or out on the streets.
The months leading to Fall went by faster than anyone expected this 2020. For sure, this year’s Fall would be a lot different than any of the Fall seasons we’ve had in the past five years, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get to enjoy the food. If we can’t go outside or meet our friends to celebrate Fall, we might as well bring the festivities right inside our dining room.
Regardless of what this year’s brought, Fall is still pumpkin and winter squash season. If you’re scrambling to get your hands on some easy-to-do Fall recipes, we’ve prepared a list of the 11 best and easiest Fall recipes that will impress your friends and family, while also making them want more!
Instant Pot Coq Au Vin
Here’s a healthier take on a really fancy French classic. And yes, one of the ingredients is red wine.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2-3 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 thyme sprigs
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- mashed potatoes, for serving
Crisp Apple and Kale Salad - Fall Special
All the best produce this season has to offer mixed into one bowl of healthy goodness!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
- 1/3 cup raw pepitas
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 2 heads kale, shredded
- 2 honey crisp apples, thinly sliced
- arils from 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- CIDER VINAIGRETTE
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Crockpot Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving crockpot side dish with a Fall twist. And who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? They go well with anything, especially as the weather starts to get cooler.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Ingredients:
- 5 pounds russets or yukon gold potatoes peel (if you like) and cube
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth or water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper plus more to taste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon sage
Easy Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Zucchini Soup
If you ever wanted to convince people that you can make a super healthy cheddar soup, cook this. They’ll never look at cheese the same way again and will actually invite you over just for this recipe.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or more to taste
- kosher salt and pepper
- 3 cups low sodium veggie or chicken broth
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Butter Chicken Meatballs (in just 30 minutes!)
A delightful mix of cozy and healthy, this recipe will make you realize just how tasty Indian spices really are outside of curry. Saucy, quick, easy, and the most important descriptor of all: DELICIOUS. Double down on the Indian theme and serve it over a steaming bowl of rice.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (14 ounces) full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- steamed rice and naan, for serving
Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
Fall season is the season of leaves technically, so what better way to celebrate that by going all out on leafy greens plus acorns? This is also extra fancy with all the spices and seasonings, so if you have a stash of them somewhere and you’re not sure how to use them, now’s your time!
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
Roasting
- 1 acorn squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Dressing
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- Garnish
- 1 (5 ounce) package baby arugula
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- 2 ounces crumbled chevre (goat cheese)
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
There aren’t a lot of Brussels Sprouts fans out there especially kids, so make it a mission to change their minds this fall by serving them a pan full of these sweet and salty, healthy delights.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and yellow leaves removed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Apple Sauce
If you have kids or have kids coming over and they’re picky (or if you have a sweet tooth that needs satisfying), serve a small bowl of this and you might just end up making this your go-to sweet recipe.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 medium (2-3/4" dia) (approx 3 per lb)s apples - peeled, cored and chopped
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pumpkin Gingerbread
This wouldn’t be a fall recipe blog if it didn’t highlight actual pumpkins. And yes, these also make amazing Halloween snacks - way better than candy.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs eggs
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Pumpkin-Chorizo Pizza
Pizza is a household name, so what better way to serve pizza this fall than to have it made with pumpkins? Adding chorizo gives it that smoky, savory sensation and goes really well with the pumpkin-ness of everything.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- Cornmeal, for baking sheet
- All-purpose flour, for work surface
- 1 lb. prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
- 1/4 small pumpkin (about 8 ounces)
- 6 oz. chorizo, casings removed, torn into small pieces
- 1 c. fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 c. thinly sliced red onion
- 1 small red chile pepper, sliced, optional
- 1 tbsp. thinly sliced lemon zest
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 oz. Gruyère or extra-sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1 cup), divided
Roasted Butternut Squash With Cider Vinaigrette
Last but certainly not least, this recipe is perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy butternut squash. Don’t take our word for it; try it out yourself!
Prep time: 15
Cook time: 25
Ingredients:
- 2 small butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds each), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
- 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 c. apple cider
- 1 1/2 tbsp. whole-grain mustard
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
We hope these recipes can help you achieve autumnal bliss in your home. Which recipe looks best to you? Let us know in the comments!
