12 Fall Dinner Recipes to Comfort the Soul

Autumn is just magical. The nippy air, the scent of cinnamon and autumn foliage, the surprise that dinner is the most comfortable time of the day now. I remember vividly the first chilly evening on the first of last October when I lit a candle, wore the thick sweater, and cooked butternut squash soup from scratch. That simple thing—boil the pot, cozy jazzy accompaniment, steam up the window—was the reminder why I enjoy cooking the autumn months.

If you are experiencing that kind of urge too, we have got you covered with 12 soul-warming autumn dinner recipes that will bring all the autumn feasts to your plate.

1. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
   A creamier version of the original, with roasted butternut squash added to the sauce. It is cheesy, creamy, and subtly loaded with veggies.

   

2. Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Roasted Apples
   Sweet and savory meet with this easy skillet dinner. Juicy pork chops, spiced apples, and maple syrup-based sticky glaze = autumn heaven.

   

3. Creamy Pumpkin Sage Pasta
   Rich pumpkin purée, cream, and sage are all incorporated with this one-pot pasta. It is elegant, fast, and ridiculously addictive.

   

4. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
   Tenderized beef, silky carrots, and hearty potatoes simmer with the richest broth. Your whole house will scent aromatic.

   

5. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice and Cranberries
   This vegetable-focused dinner is stunning on the plate and loaded with fall textures—chewy rice, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans

   

6. Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
   Flaky, golden pastry covering up chicken and vegetable creaminess. Comfort food at its finest.

   

7. Autumn Harvest Chili
   A sweet potato and black bean twist on the classic chili. Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to get nice and cozy.

   

8. Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
   Pan-cooked chicken thighs with sweet-tart cider glaze. It is simple, yet utterly exceptional—the perfect midweek dinner.

   

9. Sausage and White Bean Skillet
   Smoky sausage, hearty cannellini beans, and kale all in one pot. Cleanup is a breeze with big flavors.

   

10. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage
    If you’ve never tried gnocchi, now is the time. Browned butter and sage take it to otherworldly levels.

    

11. Wild Rice and Turkey Soup
    A great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, it is a hearty warm soup loaded with the tastes of fall.

    

12. Baked Ziti with Roasted Pumpkin and Spinach
    This cozy bake combines roasted pumpkin with marinara, melted cheese, and gently cooked pasta. Comfort on every fork.

    

Pin This for Later! Perfect for planning meals for the upcoming week or simply dreaming up your next comfort dinner, the recipes below are sure to bring warmth and cheer to your autumn dinner table. Let me know if you’d like to have a printable recipe card or grocery list!