It's time! Leaves are falling, the air is crisper in the mornings, and I'm ready to incorporate some cozy meals into the dinner rotation. Buckle up for 25 delicious family friendly recipes for fall that I'll be using all season long to feed our family. Making a seasonal meal plan each quarter helps me to keep dinners interesting, cook with seasonal ingredients, and put together weekly meal plans in a snap.
Want to see a seasonal meal plan from years past for even more inspiration? Here's what we had in the rotation for fall 2020 and fall 2021! Check out this collection of leftover turkey recipes, too!
Sheet Pan and Oven Meals
I love a good sheet pan meal for a make-ahead option on busy school nights. When we have a bit more time, oven baked meals are just the thing for chilly fall nights.
Soups
What's a collection of fall recipes without soup recipes? There's nothing like cozying up to a big bowl of soup when fall hits. Soups are usually main dishes at our house, but they work great as sides too! Pair any of these soups with a simple salad for an easy meal.
Dinner Worthy Salads
I love a good salad for dinner, where there are plenty of filling bits and lots of color. We almost always make salads "DIY" around here. This means leaving all of the different components separate and allowing each person to build their own salad, their way.
Stovetop Meals
Most of these dinner ideas come together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for getting dinner to the table with minimal fuss. Stir frys and pasta dishes are staples in our house as family friendly recipe ideas.
Pressure Cooker and Slow Cooker Meals
On especially busy nights, it's great to have dinner all cooked and warming on the counter. Some prep work in the morning or the night before will set you up for success come dinner time. That's where the trusty pressure cooker and slow cooker come in! These delicious recipes are perfect for fall and make great leftovers, too.
Sweet Treats
It's great to have a weekend breakfast treat or some quick bread to put into school lunches in the fall. We do the big cookie baking session at Christmas, but isn't it nice to have cookies in the cookie jar all year long too?
Don't Forget the Basics!
Not every meal that I put on the dinner table is from a special recipe. Dinner doesn't always have to be a big deal! Leave room in your meal plans all season long for frozen pizzas, basic tacos (hello, ground beef plus cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce), macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, or breakfast for dinner. These time-tested and kid-approved dinners allow you some flexibility in your weekly plans.
Cassie @ Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat. says
What would you add to the list of favorite recipes for fall? Let me know in the comments!