We’re not supposed to play favorites, but there’s just about fall dinner recipes that makes autumn our favorite season of the year (hello, comfort food!). Don’t get us wrong, we love summer grilling recipes and spring’s bounty of bright and beautiful greens — but hearty fall soups, harvest salads, and cozy pasta recipes really warm our hearts (and fill our bellies!). Not to mention the overflow of apples, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and winter squash popping up. With so many fall fruits and vegetables to cook with, the family dinner ideas are endless this season.

Whether you’re up for protein-focused fall recipes or on the hunt for vegetarian autumn recipes, the meals on our list will satisfy every taste. Some of the picks you’ll find in our roundup are vegetable based (like butternut squash, cauliflower, and kale dishes), while others fill your bowl with pasta (bring on the Chickpea and Kale Rigatoni!) and creamy risotto. We’ve also gathered some kid-friendly fall dinner recipes to please even the pickiest eaters, as well as our favorite fall dinner party ideas to make over the weekend. Who can resist? Make the most of what’s in season with these uncomplicated fall dinner ideas.

chicken, sausage and white bean stew

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Chicken, Sausage, and White Bean Stew

Slow cooked chicken and beans make for a protein-packed stew. Get cozy and get cooking.

french onion soup

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French Onion Soup

Onions, slowly cooked until deep brown and caramelized, give this classic its distinctive flavor. Great for a party, this recipe is easily doubled; simply cook the onions in two skillets.

instant pot risotto

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Instant Pot Risotto

A comforting bowl of this Italian classic now requires zero effort with the help from a multi-cooker. Top with any flavors you fancy: Pesto, lemon zest, peas, or a fried egg will all do the trick.

roasted butternut squash salad

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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad With Tahini Vinaigrette

Butternut squash and a rich nutty dressing will convince you to introduce this vegetarian dinner to your fall meal routine.

coq au vin rose

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Coq Au Vin Rosé

A twist on classic coq au vin made with pink wine, this crowd-pleaser is loaded with mushrooms and bacon too.

instant pot lentil stew

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Winter Squash and Lentil Stew

Reason no. 765 to invest in an Instant Pot: A bowl of this cozy, hearty stew will be ready in 35 minutes flat.

braised short ribs over polenta

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Short Ribs With Creamy Polenta

These tender braised Instant Pot short ribs are the newest star of weeknight dinner: No effort required.

patty melts

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Patty Melts

Step aside, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese. Meet the epic mashup of these two nostalgic diner meals.

Get the recipe for Patty Melts »

moroccan meatballs

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Moroccan Meatballs

Skip the spaghetti! These jazzed-up meatballs are served over a bed of roasted tomatoes, feta, and herby couscous.

fall dinner recipes   pork chops with coconut rice

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Pork Chops With Bok Choy and Coconut Rice

Creamy rice cooked in coconut milk is the perfect rich partner to a golden-brown pork chop.

roasted cauliflower pizza

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Roasted Cauliflower Pizza

This five-ingredient favorite showcases the season’s forever trendy vegetable: cauliflower.

chickpea and kale rigatoni with smoky bread crumbs   valentine's day dinner ideas

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Chickpea and Kale Rigatoni With Smoky Bread Crumbs

Boxed pasta transforms into a restaurant-worthy main, with a little help from smoky bread crumbs, crispy chickpeas, and melty Manchego.

mushroom chicken skillet with herbed cream sauce

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Mushroom Chicken Skillet With Herbed Cream Sauce

Bring a baguette to the table, so everyone can sop up all of this creamy miso-mushroom sauce.

vegetarian christmas dinner

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Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash With Cranberries and Feta

Packed with all the good stuff, like antioxidant-rich berries, Swiss chard and 100% whole grains, this vegetarian main is hearty enough to keep you satisfied good for your heart, too.

pork chops with balsamic braised cabbage and apples   easy dinner

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Pork Chops With Balsamic-Braised Cabbage and Apples

Whether you do your apple picking at the orchard or grocery store, make the most of your fresh-picked bounty by turning it into tonight’s dinner.

roast chicken salad

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Autumn Squash Salad

The caramelized butternut squash and crispy roast chicken pieces in this salad make turning on the oven 100% worth it.

sausage cauliflower skillet casserole

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Sausage Cauliflower Skillet Casserole

Cauliflower, broth, and farro cook over a low simmer before you mix in beans and fresh herbs in this one-dish wonder.

pork chop dinner

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Peppercorn Pork Chops

Master the art of this creamy shallot-thyme pan sauce, and your fall nights will be infinitely better. Spoon it over pork chops, steaks, and roasted chicken thighs for a hit of peppery decadence.

harvest succotash ravioli

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Harvest Succotash Ravioli

Corn kernels, bell peppers, and fresh thyme leaves add pops of fall color to a package of store-bought ravioli.

savory pumpkin and sage soup

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Savory Pumpkin and Sage Soup

Topped with fried sage and shiitake mushrooms, this pumpkin bowl of comfort (made with onions, nutmeg, and fresh ginger) is the ultimate sophisticated soup.

healthy fall recipes   spaghetti squash alfredo

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Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

Take advantage of the fall harvest by substituting squash for carb-heavy pasta.

spanish chorizo stew

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Spanish Chorizo Stew

Stock your pantry with canned chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and cured Spanish chorizo, so you’re always ready to make this flavor-packed, 20-minute stew.

pork ragu rigatoni

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Pork Ragu Rigatoni

With the temps dropping, it makes sense to stay inside and cook up some homemade pasta with your amore. If you want a bowl , though, opt for store-bought noodles.

tuscan, sausage, and kale frittata

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Tuscan Sausage and Kale Frittata

Because this frittata features so much mozzarella, marinara, and kale, it’s easy to serve up eggs and call it dinner.

healthy fall recipes   kale and roasted cauliflower salad

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Kale and Roasted Cauliflower Salad

This combination of roasted cauliflower and marinated kale is brought to a whole new level with the addition of sweet golden raisins, crunchy pine nuts, and sharp pieces of feta.

butternut squash and white bean soup

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Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup

Swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth and this satisfying soup becomes vegan, .

thin crust pizza

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Roasted Tomato and Chive Pizza

Skip the jarred marinara sauce and spread tapenade on your crust before piling on the toppings. Pizza night just got a lot more interesting.

fall dinners   potato leek soup

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Potato Leek Soup

Turn last night’s mashed potatoes into tonight’s cozy soup, flavored with leeks, fennel, and garlic.

reuben sandwich

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French-Dip Brisket Reubens

This recipe is for Monday Night Football: The beef brisket cooks up in the Crock Pot while you’re at the office, so all you have to do is shred the meat and top with sauerkraut and sliced Swiss when you get home. Touchdown!

harvest salad

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Arugula-Kale Harvest Salad

Transform your fridge’s odds and ends (think: leftover roasted squash, apples, carrots and salami) into tonight’s dinner. Cut everything into pieces, then toss with kale and arugula greens. Pro tip: Turn stale bread into crispy croutons by cutting slices into cubes and baking in a 400°F oven until dry and crisp, about 10 minutes.

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