30 Easy Fall Dinners for Cozy Weeknights

Sheet pan chicken with sweet potatoes, apple cider pork chops, slow cooker pot roast, shepherd’s pie and more: 30 easy fall dinners for busy weeknights.

ByEmma Brooks Hours Hours
Comments 0 Comments
Easy fall dinners: maple glazed sheet pan chicken with sweet potatoes, apple sausage stuffed butternut squash and apple cider sage pork chops

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Fall cooking is my favorite: sweet potatoes, apples, squash, warm spices and dinners that make the whole house smell amazing. These easy fall dinners are what I cook on busy weeknights when I want something cozy but not complicated, from one-pan chicken and sheet pan pork chops to slow cooker pot roast and comforting casseroles.

Cozy Chicken Dinners

1
Golden brown maple glazed chicken thighs with roasted sweet potatoes and red onions on a sheet pan.
Sheet-Pan Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Sheet pan maple glazed chicken with sweet potatoes.
Check out this recipe
2
A sheet pan filled with golden roasted chicken cubes, tender sweet potatoes, and charred broccoli florets.
One-Pan Roasted Chicken, Broccoli, and Sweet Potatoes
One-pan roasted chicken, broccoli and sweet potatoes that doubles as meal prep.
Check out this recipe
3
A vibrant sheet pan with golden-brown Balsamic Chicken and Brussels Sprouts, glistening with glaze, ready to serve.
Balsamic Chicken and Brussels Sprouts
Balsamic chicken and Brussels sprouts in about 40 minutes.
Check out this recipe
4
Golden brown beer braised chicken thighs in a Dutch oven with carrots and fresh parsley
Beer Braised Chicken With Carrots
Beer braised chicken with carrots.
Check out this recipe
5
A close up of tender chicken topped with caramelized onions and melted Gruyere cheese in a savory gravy.
Instant Pot French Onion Chicken
Instant Pot French onion chicken.
Check out this recipe
6
Cranberry Brie Stuffed Chicken Breasts sliced on a white plate showing melted cheese and cranberry filling
Cranberry Brie Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Cranberry brie stuffed chicken breasts for a special weeknight.
Check out this recipe
7
A pan of golden sautéed chicken breasts topped with a dark balsamic cranberry sauce and fresh rosemary sprigs.
Sautéed Chicken with Cranberries
Sautéed chicken with cranberries in about 35 minutes.
Check out this recipe
8
A large pot of creamy chicken pot pie with potato gnocchi, orange carrots, and green peas, garnished with fresh parsley.
One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
One-pot gnocchi chicken pot pie.
Check out this recipe
9
A golden, bubbly cheesy chicken and rice casserole in a white baking dish.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
A cheesy chicken and rice casserole for busy weeknights.
Check out this recipe
10
A close-up of two golden BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, garnished with fresh cilantro, on a rustic wooden board.
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes.
Check out this recipe
11
Golden easy roast chicken with crispy skin on a white platter surrounded by fresh herbs and roasted vegetables
Easy Roast Chicken
An easy roast chicken for slow Sunday dinners.
Check out this recipe

Pork Dinners with Fall Flavors

12
Close-up of golden pan-seared Apple Cider Sage Pork Chops with apples and fresh sage in a skillet.
Apple Cider Sage Pork Chops
Apple cider sage pork chops in about 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
13
Golden roasted pork chops and baby potatoes on a sheet pan with fresh herbs
Baked Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Potatoes
Baked sheet pan pork chops and potatoes.
Check out this recipe
14
Sliced roasted pork loin medallions served with bright green beans on a white plate
Roasted Pork Loin with Green Beans
Roasted pork loin with green beans.
Check out this recipe
15
Two halves of golden brown Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash, garnished with fresh herbs, on a rustic wooden board.
Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
Apple sausage stuffed butternut squash.
Check out this recipe
16
Sliced honey garlic bbq pork tenderloin medallions on a white platter with green beans
Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic BBQ Pork Tenderloin
Slow cooker honey garlic BBQ pork tenderloin.
Check out this recipe
17
Slow cooker pulled pork on a wooden board with BBQ sauce, ready to serve on fresh buns
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Slow cooker pulled pork for sandwiches, tacos and bowls.
Check out this recipe

Slow-Cooked Comfort Food

18
Slow cooker pot roast with tender beef, carrots, and potatoes in rich brown gravy on a white plate
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
A tender slow cooker pot roast.
Check out this recipe
19
Tender braised short ribs in rich red wine sauce on a white plate with fork-tender meat falling off the bone
Braised Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone braised short ribs.
Check out this recipe
20
A close-up shot of creamy beef stroganoff with mushrooms served over wide egg noodles and garnished with fresh parsley.
Extra Creamy Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
Crock Pot beef stroganoff.
Check out this recipe
21
A golden-brown classic Shepherd's Pie in a baking dish, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and fresh parsley.
Shepherd’s Pie
Classic shepherd’s pie.
Check out this recipe
22
A golden-brown Cottage Pie with a fluffy mashed potato topping, baked in a casserole dish, ready to be served.
Cottage Pie
A hearty cottage pie.
Check out this recipe
23
A skillet of golden-brown Swedish meatballs smothered in a creamy brown gravy, garnished with fresh herbs.
Homemade Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce
Homemade Swedish meatballs in a creamy sauce.
Check out this recipe
24
A skillet of tender porcupine meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with rice grains visible.
Porcupine Meatballs
Nostalgic porcupine meatballs.
Check out this recipe
25
Golden brown roasted turkey thighs seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic in a roasting pan.
Roasted Turkey Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter
Roasted turkey thighs with garlic herb butter.
Check out this recipe

Squash & Meatless Fall Dinners

26
Golden seared sweet potato gnocchi tossed in a green sage walnut pesto in a dark skillet.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Walnut Pesto
Sweet potato gnocchi with sage walnut pesto.
Check out this recipe
27
A bowl of tender spaghetti squash strands topped with thick, savory meat sauce and fresh herbs.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
Instant Pot spaghetti squash with meat sauce.
Check out this recipe
28
A skillet filled with creamy tomato sauce, shrimp, and spaghetti squash strands topped with Parmesan cheese.
Creamy Tomato Shrimp with Spaghetti Squash
Creamy tomato shrimp with spaghetti squash.
Check out this recipe
29
Roasted spaghetti squash strands with vibrant broccolini, drizzled with aromatic truffle oil on a white plate.
Spaghetti Squash with Broccolini and Truffle Oil
Spaghetti squash with broccolini and truffle oil.
Check out this recipe
30
A vibrant stir fry with cubes of butternut squash and eggplant in a glossy ginger-soy sauce.
Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir Fry
A butternut squash and eggplant stir fry in about 35 minutes.
Check out this recipe

How to Make Fall Weeknight Dinners Easier

  • Use your sheet pan: roast protein and fall vegetables together for one pan to wash.
  • Let the slow cooker work: start a pot roast or pulled pork in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home.
  • Prep squash ahead: learn how to peel and cut butternut squash and keep cubes in the fridge for quick dinners.
  • Cook once, eat twice: casseroles, meatballs and braises reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

Fall Dinner FAQ

What vegetables are in season in the fall?

Fall is the season for sweet potatoes, butternut and acorn squash, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, apples and pears, and many of them star in these dinners.

Want soup night instead? See my cozy healthy fall soups, or start planning with my healthy Thanksgiving menu.

More Fall Recipe Collections

Emma Brooks is the home cook behind The Gentle Bite. After years of juggling long workdays and family dinners, she started sharing the balanced, wholesome recipes she loves to make on busy weeknights, most ready in about 30 minutes with everyday ingredients. Her goal is simple: quick, nourishing meals that feel approachable, with easy swaps for gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein diets.

You Might Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *