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20 Recipes for Family Friendly Fall Meals

Fall is here and the changing weather reminds us that it is time to switch up our recipe rotation to incorporate some of the best fall flavors. This list of 20 recipes for family friendly fall meals will help you find some inspiration for the change in season!

A golden background with scattered leaves, pumpkins, nuts, and pinecones and the words "20 recipes for family friendly fall meals" and "fall 2023 seasonal meal plan".

Having a seasonal meal plan in place is a game changer for family meal planning. First, it makes it easier to create weekly plans and shopping lists. Second, it adds built-in variety throughout the year. A dinner rut is the worst! Finally, a seasonal meal plan means you take advantage of seasonal foods and products.

Check out this Family Meal Planning Strategies post for tips on creating weekly meal plans that work for your family. Having a big list of seasonal options makes weekly meal planning so much easier!

Cozy Soups

Fall is the start of soup season, and it's a treat to walk to the dinner table with a big bowl of hearty soup for everyone. Try these soups to get you in the spirit of the season.

Veggie Packed Chicken & Gnocchi Soup (Instant Pot or Stove Top)
With gnocchi "dumplings" and plenty of veggies, this creamy Veggie Packed Chicken Gnocchi & Soup can be made in the Instant Pot or stove top.
Click here for recipe
A bowl of creamy white soup with gnocchi, chicken, peas, carrots, and green beans visible.
Pressure Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Here's a simple and classic version of a family favorite with tender chicken, vegetables, and noodles.
Click here for recipe
A bowl of pasta, carrots, celery and other ingredients.
Pumpkin and Bacon Bisque
Creamy, sweet, and smoky, this Pumpkin and Bacon Bisque is topped with sage- and bacon-infused croutons for a cozy treat.
Click here for recipe
Three white bowls of Pumpkin and Bacon Bisque are on a wooden tray with sage and croutons scattered around.
Beer Cheese Soup
This soup is brewpub fare lightened up a bit for an at-home treat! The flavor can be customized with your favorite cheese and beer combination. Modify the recipe slightly for a beer cheese dip to serve with soft pretzels.
Click here for recipe

Seasonal Sides

Check out the recipes below for great sides to pair with roast chicken, ham, or stews.

Garlic Parmesan Corn Au Gratin
Garlic Parmesan Corn Au Gratin combines sweet corn kernels with a creamy sauce and is finished with a crisp, bronzed, Parmesan cheese top.
Click here for recipe
The bronzed gratin in a black cast iron skillet is at the center of the image, surrounded by plates, forks, an ear of corn, a Parmesan cheese wedge, and cloves of garlic.
Crave-Worthy Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
Roasted maple balsamic brussel sprouts are a crispy, tangy, and subtly sweet side dish perfect for roasted chicken or pork.
Click here for recipe
The finished brussel sprouts are golden and shiny and some of the pieces are caramelized and crisp looking.
Roasted Delicata with Honey Ancho Vinaigrette
Roasted Delicata with Honey Ancho Vinaigrette is a simple side with bright and smoky flavors that will compliment grilled meats or hearty grain bowls.
Click here for recipe
A bowl of golden squash is on teh left of the image. Small bowls of honey and spices are to the right of the bowl, next to two dried chiles.
Polenta with Mushrooms and Gremolata
Creamy Parmesan polenta is paired with garlic and butter mushrooms and a bright gremolata for a satisfying main dish or special side.
Click here for recipe
Polenta with Mushrooms and Gremolata rests on a gray napkin over a wooden surface.
Spinach and Feta Pie
This savory Spinach and Feta Pie is a twist on Greek spanakopita with a rich and spinach-packed filling to contrast with a buttery flaky phyllo crust.
Click here for recipe
A Spinach and Feta Pie sits on a wooden cutting board with a serving on a white plate next to it.

Main Dishes for Chilly Nights

There's nothing better than walking into the house to a hearty main dish after enjoying a brisk afternoon outdoors. These are some great options!

Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets with Apple Cider Gravy
Crispy breaded pork cutlets get the royal treatment with a sweet and savory thyme-scented apple cider gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggie for a delicious meal!
Click here for recipe
A serving of golden breaded pork and apples on a white plate with gravy, green beans, and mashed potatoes.
Vegetarian Red Beans (Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker)
Vegetarian Red Beans are deeply flavorful, combining herbs, spices, and the holy trinity of vegetables for a hearty meatless meal with rice.
Click here for recipe
A detail image of the cooked red beans served with rice.
Chile Colorado
A rich and flavorful dish, this makes taco night extra special!
Click here for recipe
Creamy Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust
This hearty and comforting single crust pot pie has a creamy filling of chicken, potatoes, and vegetables plus a golden puff pastry crust.
Click here for recipe
A cast iron skillet pot pie with a golden pastry crust sitting atop a brown woven background.
Melted Leek and Bacon Pasta
Simple ingredients combine for dinner alchemy in this Melted Leek and Bacon Pasta. Smoky bacon and sweet softened leeks are flavor powerhouses that make a simple pasta shine.
Click here for recipe
A cast iron skillet of Melted Leek and Bacon pasta sits alongside a white bowl of pasta sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Snacks and Beverages for Fall Entertaining

Invite a few friends over for happy hour and make a batch cocktail for the grownups. Serve some seasonal snacks for easy fall entertaining.

Mulled Wine
This simple Mulled Wine recipe will bring some holiday cheer to your next gathering! It smells incredible simmering away on the stove.
Click here for recipe
Three glasses of a red beverage sit on a black surface with a holiday backdrop..
Party Perfect Cranberry Cheese Ball with Goat Cheese
With a coating of fruits, nuts, seeds, and herbs, this cranberry cheese ball with goat cheese is a festive appetizer for your next gathering.
Click here for recipe
The finished cranberry and goat cheese ball wrapped in chopped apricots, cranberries, pecans, pistachios, pepitas, and thyme presented on a wood platter.
Leftover Turkey Turnovers with Simple Potato Curry Filling
This recipe for Turkey Curry Turnovers takes your leftover turkey (or chicken) and turns it into a savory craveable pocket meal.
Click here for recipe
A flaky golden brown sesame seed-flecked turnover with yellow filling rests on a white plate.

Sweet Treats with Fall Flavors

Indulge your sweet tooth with these seasonal treats for breakfast, dessert, or snacking.

Sheet Pan Pecan Pancakes
Decadent Sheet Pan Pecan Pancakes are swirled with brown sugar butter pecan filling and feed a crowd without leaving you stuck at the stove.
Click here for recipe
Pecan pancakes are stacked on a white plate with the focus on the detail of the buttery pecan filling and cinnamon.
Tender Cranberry Orange Snacking Cake with Molasses
This festive Tender Cranberry Orange Snacking Cake with Molasses is full of flavor, tangy cranberries, and has a simple glaze on top.
Click here for recipe
Three squares of golden cake are stacked on a wooden plate with whole cranberries as garnish.
Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Zucchini Bread with Crunchy Millet
Make pumpkin zucchini bread or pumpkin zucchini muffins with this recipe that adds millet for extra crunch and pumpkin pie spice for flavor.
Click here for recipe
Slices of the pumpkin zucchini bread sit on a tray next to three muffins and a buttered slice.

More Fall Seasonal Meal Plans

Here are seasonal meal plans from past years!

Share your Favorites

I'd love to hear what family friendly fall meals you enjoy serving in your home! Comment below and share. If you make one of the meals linked above, I'd be thrilled to see it. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram or Facebook. Mention me @planeatpostrepeat or tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat so I see it and can give you a virtual high-five for your mealtime win. Comments, recipe ratings, and social media shares are so important in helping me continue my work on the blog and I appreciate them!

More Seasonal Meal Plans

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cassie Waltman says

    What recipes are you looking forward to cooking this fall?

    Reply

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