Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 25 Fall Recipes That Are Comforting and Delicious It’s time to bake those pumpkin spice goodies. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 23, 2024 Close Photo: Antonis Achilleos It’s time to break out the autumn décor and pumpkin spice candles and start making your favorite fall recipes. From warm and comforting main dishes to impressive sides and innovative desserts, we gathered some of the best seasonal dishes to make over the next few months.Use your farmer’s market fresh produce for a Brussels sprout salad or curried butternut squash soup. Have an abundance of apples and pumpkin purée? Make an apple pie skillet cake or pumpkin bread trifle. We can promise you there’s something for everyone in this recipe roundup. 01 of 25 Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake Victor Protasio Once you try this casserole, we bet you'll be keeping the recipe around all season. Loaded with rice, butternut squash, and cheese, this vegetarian dish is mouthwatering and uses some of the freshest ingredients of the season. It can be served as a side or vegetarian main. You can add chicken to the bake if you're looking to add some meat. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 25 Tuna Farro Salad Caitlin Bensel The perfect lunch consists of fresh leafy greens, sweet Bosc pear slices, hearty grains, and olive oil-packed tuna. This tuna farro salad gives "fancy restaurant" vibes, but is incredibly affordable and easy to throw together. Seriously, it just takes 15 minutes to throw together if you're looking for a quick option. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 25 Apple Spice Donut Pudding Fred Hardy Grab a box of donuts and get to making this warm, apple spice donut pudding. While you can eat it on its own, it's especially good with some fresh ice cream. You can even swap out some of the donuts with apple fritters for even more fruity flavor. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 25 Hot Apple Cider chas53/Getty Images There’s just something so comforting about a mug of warm apple cider with a cinnamon stick garnish. If you haven’t tried to make your own at home, now’s the chance! And if you want a more mature version, add some rum or whiskey. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 25 Maple Pumpkin Pie David Prince We have a feeling you’ll be making this pie more than once this season. Using a store-bought pie crust is the trick to simplicity. The filling is beyond easy to whip up. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 25 Curried Butternut Squash Soup Rich, creamy, and decadent, this butternut squash soup features the epitome of fall flavors and will warm your belly on a cold night. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro, peanuts, and crushed red pepper. A drizzle of lime juice adds a delicious citrusy twist. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 25 Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing CAITLIN BENSEL The perfect fall side dish always consists of in-season veggies like carrots and parsnips, but this recipe ups the ante by adding beets and fennel with an irresistible poppy seed dressing. And it just takes half an hour to whip together. It's a colorful appetizer that everyone will enjoy. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 25 Ricotta Roll-Ups in Creamy Pumpkin Sauce VICTOR PROTASIO Creamy and savory, we're sure you'll impress your friends with this one. Adding pumpkin to really anything is the name of the game during fall, and this ricotta roll-up recipe gives you a great excuse to do so. You can make it a day ahead and bake when you're ready, to avoid any last-minute stress. Fresh dried sage leaves top the roll-ups for an added earthy taste. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 25 Apple Pie Skillet Cake ANTONIS ACHILLEOS Not a pie person? No problem. You can still enjoy traditional apple pie in the form of a skillet cake! It’s just as delicious and much easier to make—and it’s ready in under an hour. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 25 Grilled Honeynut Squash Christopher Testani Honeynut squash is grilled to perfection and added to a medley of cabbage and radicchio with a sweet vinaigrette. Pepitas give each bite a little extra crunch, while mint adds a little freshness. It's a gorgeous salad full of fall produce picks that pairs well with any autumnal meal. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 25 Chocolate Pecan Fudge Balls Caitlin Bensel Prepping for a party? Get the whole family involved and make these fun little pecan fudge balls. These bite-sized delicacies are inspired by the Brazilian treat brigadeiros, and we can guarantee your guests will devour them within minutes. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 25 Roasted Root Veggie Quinoa Bowls Victor Protasio This quick and healthy quinoa bowl is packed with the season's freshest produce, including butternut squash, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts. You'll add a dollop of hummus to each bowl before serving for extra creamy flavor. It's the perfect meal when you want something on the healthier side that's uber-comforting. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 25 Hazelnut Romesco Pasta Salad We can guarantee you haven’t had a pasta salad quite like this one. Romesco is similar to a traditional tomato sauce, but it has depth and flavor thanks to the hazelnuts, peppers, tomato paste, and garlic. Add grilled chicken to the pasta to complete your meal. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 25 Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini Jonny Valiant Eggplant Parm is a family favorite, but can often be messy to cut into. This rollatini recipe may become your new go-to because it’s easy to make, serve, and store if you have leftovers. With just 25 minutes of hands-on time, you'll get dinner prepped and on the table in no time. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 25 Caramelized Onion Tarts with Apples Con Poulos This appetizer starts with store-bought puff pastry and ends with a creamy, crunchy, flavorful bite. With a short ingredient list and little prep, these tarts come together quickly. A pizza cutter makes quick work of cutting the tart into bite-sized squares. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 25 Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Dump Cake Caitlin Bensel If you’re not adding chocolate to your pumpkin recipes, you’re sorely missing out. This dessert has everything your sweet tooth could crave; custardy pumpkin filling, and melted dark chocolate that tastes almost identical to a molten chocolate cake. A dollop of whipped cream or ice cream would make a great pairing to this rich dessert. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 25 Honey-Apple Galette With Pistachio Sugar Anna Williams Whether you’re an avid baker or not, a galette is always a good idea. You can use store-bought dough or make your own, and you can fill it with seasonal fruit mixtures. This recipe calls for tons of apples, honey, and butter, and it’s sprinkled with delectable pistachio sugar. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 25 Chai Hot Toddy Getty Images Homemade chai is second to none. It’s warming, robust in flavor, and even has a zip of caffeine. This recipe calls for a shot of rum, but you could always omit it if you want something tasty in the morning. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 25 Artichoke-Chard Pasta and Cheese Greg DuPree The moment you place this pasta bake on the dinner table, your family will worship the ground you walk on. It’s essentially an elevated mac and cheese with a hint of spinach artichoke dip. Serve with crusty bread to sop up every last bit. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 25 Brussels Sprouts Salad Heami Lee Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or meal prepping for the week, this Brussels sprouts salad is the perfect item to add to your menu. It has a little bit of everything: sweetness from dried cranberries, texture from toasted pecans, and saltiness from freshly grated Parmesan. The vinegar and mustard-based dressing can be stored apart from the salad so you can mix it in until you're ready to serve. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 25 Butternut Squash Fries Yumna Jawad For a delicious side that utilizes fall-favorite butternut squash, go for this super quick and easy fry recipe. These butternut squash fries are a healthier option than traditional fries and pair deliciously with a mayo and herb dip or any of your favorite dipping sauces. Cutting the fries uniformly allows for them to all crisp up evenly. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 25 French Onion Casserole Antonis Achilleos You don’t have to be a fan of French onion soup to love this creamy, dreamy casserole. It’s essentially a modern version of mac and cheese with decadent caramelized onions. Nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar also add incredible umami. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 25 Pumpkin Bread Trifle With Pepita Streusel Antonis Achilleos Take your traditional pumpkin bread a step further by turning it into a trifle. Layers of fluffy whipped cream, heavenly streusel, and freshly baked pumpkin bread make this dessert an absolute hit! You'll want to plan to serve it pretty quickly after you make it to ensure peak quality. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 25 Baked Barley Risotto With Butternut Squash Jonny Valiant If you’ve ever made traditional risotto, you already know what a labor of love it can be. But risotto made with barley? Now, that’s genius. All you have to do is cook it on the stovetop for seven minutes and then pop it in the oven for another 35 to 40 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 25 Maple-Glazed Salmon With Roasted Brussels Sprouts Jonny Valiant Who knew mustard and maple syrup could make the most sensational marinade for salmon? If you’re looking for something simple and healthy, make this delicious dish tonight. The salmon is served alongside a medley of roasted Brussels sprouts and onions. Altogether, it takes less than a half hour to make. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit