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Don't Mind Me, Just Maximizing The Cozy Vibes All Season Long With These Easy Fall Dinners

Make these hearty, cozy meals to keep warm this autumn.

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butternut squash ravioli in a butter sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TIFFANY SCHLEIGH

Even though fall means that all picnics, beach days, and BBQS of summer are over, we gotta admit—we get more than a little excited to get back in our kitchens and really cook. And by that we mean we’re all about making casseroles, creamy pastas, easy sheet-pan dinners… all the ways we can produce easy, gorgeous, comforting meals. And don’t even get us started on all the glorious fall produce (hint: we’re obsessed with pumpkin)! Check out our best 77 fall dinner recipes for ideas—it's time to get cozy.

While we’ll never stray far from super easy meals, fall is the time when we start to reconsider slightly more involved projects. We get excited for dishes with longer cook times or preparation, like our braised short ribs with 40 cloves of garlic or our garlic & herb turkey roulade; for making our own pasta, like in our sweet potato gnocchi or our pumpkin ravioli; or for attempting multi-step meals, like our shepherd’s pie or stuffed acorn squash; and for cooking things low and slow in our fave kitchen gadgets, like our slow-cooker Tuscan chicken meatballs with gnocchi or our Crockpot chicken & dumplings.

Summer produce is so fleeting, and it feels like we spend as much time waiting for it to ripen as we do enjoying them (we’re looking at you, peaches). Fall fruits and veggies, on the other hand, are the real sturdy MVPS. You can find a lot of colder weather produce (like apples, potatoes, etc.) year-round, but there is something so great about eating them when they’re actually in season (if you’ve ever tried a lackluster strawberry in winter, you get it). Some of those favorites are best known for being the stars of fall pies, but they might be even better in savory applications. Check out our sheet-pan pork chops with apples, our pumpkin lasagna, our stuffed butternut squash, or our pumpkin curry to see what we mean.

We also can’t talk about fall dinners without mentioning the best food holiday of them all—Thanksgiving! We’ve got MANY guides to all the dishes you’ll need for the perfect holiday meal, and you don’t have to let that ONE day be the only time you enjoy them. If, like us, you LOVE turkey, green bean casserole, or stuffing, make them whenever you want this fall. There’s no one stopping you (certainly not us!)

Want more autumnal inspiration? Check out our favorite fall side dishes, fall cocktails, and fall desserts too.

1

Slow-Cooker Beef Chili

beef chili in a slow cooker
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This hearty chili, made with flavorful ground beef, a rich blend of spices, aromatics, and tomatoes, is exactly what we want when the weather cools. And at Delish, we know chili is personal. So go ahead, tailor your toppings or switch up the type of beans. Want more heat? Add a bit more cayenne or chipotle powder. The beauty of this chili lies in its no-fuss versatility.

Get the Slow-Cooker Beef Chili recipe.

2

Butternut Squash Steaks

butternut squash steaks with creamy yogurt and farro and pomegranates on a plate
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If you're tired of cauliflower steaks, then you should turn to butternut squash. It's a great plant-based ingredient because its texture is quite meaty yet tender, and it works with a variety of seasonings and recipes. When this squash is in season throughout the fall and winter months, it has a sweet, mellow flavor that works perfectly in so many different ways, whether blended into a soup or roasted in planks, like this recipe.

Get the Butternut Squash Steaks recipe.

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3

French Onion Stuffed Shells

french onion stuffed shells
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These French onion stuffed shells are filled with fluffy ricotta, gooey caramelized onions, and plenty of Gruyère for a deeply comforting wintertime dish that’s guaranteed to fill your home with the most delicious aroma. You’ll be making this over and over again as soon as the temperatures drop.

Get the French Onion Stuffed Shells recipe.

4

Butternut Squash Ravioli

butternut squash ravioli in a butter sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TIFFANY SCHLEIGH

Making pasta dough from scratch does require extra effort, but it is 100% worth it. And honestly? It’s not that difficult. Trust us, knowing that you made this butternut squash pasta from scratch will make it taste 10x better.

Get the Butternut Squash Ravioli recipe.

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5

Beef Bourguignon

beef bourguignon
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TIFFANY SCHLEIGH

Homemade beef bourguignon is a labor of love. It's certainly not a quick weeknight dinner, but that doesn't mean it's too difficult to make at home. Here's the basic rundown: Sauté bacon, sear beef in bacon fat (yum!), add veggies and stir to coat with flour, add wine and broth, transfer to oven, bake until beef is super tender, make Julia Child proud. Follow our top tips, and you'll be ready to ace this classic for any holiday dinner or date night.

Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe.

6

Maple Pecan Crusted Chicken

chicken cutlets are tossed in a punchy and herby maple mustard sauce, then topped with chopped pecans and baked to juicy, crunchy perfection
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Chicken breasts can be a snooze fest, but this maple pecan-crusted chicken is sure to break you out of the boring dinner blues. Cutlets are tossed in a punchy and herby maple-mustard sauce, then topped with chopped pecans and baked to juicy, crunchy perfection in this fun fall dinner.

Get the Maple Pecan Crusted Chicken recipe.

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7

Carbonara Pizza

pizza with an egg baked in the middle
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

If you can't get enough of Rome's famous spaghetti carbonara, then we have a sneaking suspicion you'll love this extra cheesy pizza version. With bacon, plenty of cheese, and an egg baked in the center of the pie, this pizza is salty, cheesy, and so satisfyingly messy.

Get the Carbonara Pizza recipe.

8

Chicken Stew

stew with chicken and veggies
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

If you’re looking for a hearty, healthy dinner, you’ve come to the right place! Not only is this one-pot meal easy to prepare, it also tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove for hours…even though it only takes 45 minutes from start to finish. Cooking the chicken in the stew means that it releases all its juices into the broth as it cooks, giving the stew a ton of extra flavor. After that, all you need is a piece of homemade bread for dipping.

Get the Chicken Stew recipe.

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9

Sticky Sesame Chickpeas & Broccoli

sticky sesame chickpeas and broccoli on a plate with rice
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Looking for a cheap, easy dinner that takes under 30 minutes to cook? Sticky sesame chickpeas and broccoli are calling your name. Starring an absurdly delicious glaze made from staple condiments and a few humble cans from the pantry, this simple one-pan dinner will make even a Wednesday night feel special.

Get the Sticky Sesame Chickpeas & Broccoli recipe.

10

Pierogi Casserole

casserole dish filled with pierogis and cheese
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Looking for a comforting yet innovative dish to impress your guests or family, without too much work on your part? This easy-to-make casserole takes frozen potato pierogi to the next level with layers of spinach, sausage, and cheese that will leave everyone craving more. The best part? Whether you're making weeknight dinner or attending a potluck, you can change this up with whatever ingredients you know your friends and family will love.


Get the Pierogi Casserole recipe.

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11

Stuffed Peppers

colorful stuffed peppers with ground beef and tomato rice
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

While we love to experiment with countless variations, this classic recipe is hard to beat. Read on to discover just why this is one of our fan-favorite recipes (one of our top of 2022), then use it as a jumping-off point to create your own dream stuffed peppers.

Get the Stuffed Peppers recipe.

12

Cacio E Pepe White Beans Skillet

cacio e pepe white beans in a grey bowl with a piece of bread
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Craving 5-star flavors at home on a weeknight? Make these cacio e pepe white beans. Using just six ingredients, this classy one-pan dinner promises the luscious richness and bold flavors of a fine dining restaurant in just 15 minutes.

Get the Cacio E Pepe White Beans Skillet recipe.

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13

Turkey Pot Pie

turkey pot pie
Parker feierbach

This turkey pot pie has a comforting creamy center with an extra-flaky top. It's the perfect little twist on the chicken classic! Use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey and any additional vegetables you have to make this even easier.

Get the Turkey Pot Pie recipe.

14

Amish Beef & Noodles

amish beef noodles
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The Amish have made many amazing contributions to the world of food (pies, friendship bread, haystack dinners, Amish peanut butter... the list goes on!), but no dish is more iconic than beef and noodles. Chunks of juicy slow-cooked beef mingling with tender egg noodles in a rich broth? It’s comfort in a bowl.

Get the Amish Beef & Noodles recipe.

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15

Creamy Polenta & Meatballs

creamy polenta topped with meatballs in a red sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

While we absolutely love all meatballs, juicy ones simmered in a tangy tomato sauce holds a special place in our hearts. In fact, some days only a bowl of creamy polenta and meatballs will do. You just might find yourself making them all year round, not just in the fall.

Get the Creamy Polenta & Meatballs recipe.

16

Stuffed Acorn Squash

stuffed acorn squash
Park Feierbach

All our favorite fall flavors come together in this surprisingly easy and super flavorful stuffed acorn squash. The kale adds a heartiness that only a good cruciferous green can provide, and it pairs perfectly with the tender, sweet flesh of the squash. Yum!

Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.

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17

Instant Pot Pork Puttanesca

instant pot pork puttanesca with olives, capers, and shaved cheese over polenta
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

For this dish, we were inspired by classic Italian puttanesca, a tomato-based dish with anchovies, capers, and olives that's traditionally served over pasta. Pork makes it extra hearty, so we served it over creamy polenta, but feel free to sub in pasta, rice, or whatever else you can dream up.

Get the Instant Pot Pork Puttanesca recipe.

18

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

chicken casserole topped with ritz crackers in a red dish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

When the weather gets cold, your dinner making-mojo is low, or when comfort food is just what’s on the menu, you need a casserole. Even though we have loved so many other casseroles before, there's always room in our baking dish for one more. And if that casserole is easy, creamy, chicken-y, and cheesy? With a crunchy topping? The oven is already preheating.

Get the Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole recipe.

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19

Classic Chili

classic beef chili with sour cream and toppings
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

If you’re looking for a hearty, comfort food meal to eat after a long fall workday, this is the recipe for you. While many chili recipes call for simmering for at least an hour (sometimes even more), our best-ever beef chili can be made in just 40 minutes (!!).

Get the Classic Chili recipe.

20

Salisbury Steak

ground beef patties in a pan with mushroom gravy
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

A cross between a hamburger and a meatball, Salisbury steak is the staunch classic that we think is well deserving of a revival. It takes seasoned and browned ground beef patties and smothers them in a rich mushroom gravy. The result is a dinner that’s as heartwarming as an at-home Saturday movie night, but simple to make.

Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.

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