Food & Cooking Recipes Seasonal Recipes Fall Recipes Our 21 Most Popular Fall Recipes, Including Apple Desserts, Comforting Stews, and More These are the dishes everyone wants to make when the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to fall. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani is a New York City-based writer with 24 years of experience working in professional publishing and communication roles in addition to being a food writer for six years with MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on October 14, 2024 Close Photo: BRYAN GARDNER When autumn arrives and the days get cooler, it’s a perfect time to enjoy hearty meals that play up the season’s rich flavors. This fall recipe collection features a variety of comforting dishes, including savory stews, creamy pasta bakes, and satisfying desserts that are our most popular dishes. They're straightforward and highlight seasonal ingredients, just the thing for cozy dinners after a day of apple picking or watching a football game. From warm spices to crisp, fresh apples and squash, there’s so much to love about cooking in the autumn. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic or want to find a new favorite, embrace the essence of fall from now through Thanksgiving. 27 Fall Salad Recipes That Are Packed With Autumnal Flavor 01 of 21 Cheddar-Topped Shepherd's Pie Brie Goldman This dish is comfort food at its finest, with a rich beef and vegetable filling smothered in fluffy, cheesy mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and crispy on top, it's a bubbly, melty masterpiece. Bonus points for making fork-peaks in the potatoes for extra crunch and style. View Recipe 02 of 21 Apple Crisp Julia Hartbeck Dive into a warm, comforting apple crisp that’s all about that irresistible combo of sweet, tart apples and a crunchy oat topping. Use your favorite apples—think Gala or Braeburn—for the perfect bite. The secret? Chilling the crumb topping to make those clumps extra delightful. View Recipe 03 of 21 Baked Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar Grant Webster Transform acorn squash into a deliciously sweet and savory dish by first roasting the halved squash until golden. Then, flip them over, sprinkle with butter and brown sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tender for a cozy side that’s warm, buttery, and packed with fall flavor. View Recipe 04 of 21 Martha's Cider-Bourbon Cocktail Bryan Gardner Here's a fall cocktail that blends fresh apple cider, lemon juice, ginger, and bourbon for a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and warmth. Serve it shaken over ice with apple slices for garnish, or whip up a big-batch version for easy entertaining—either way, it's a seasonal hit that Martha loves for Thanksgiving! View Recipe 05 of 21 Pumpkin Cheesecake Jason Donnelly Indulge in the creamy delight of pumpkin cheesecake, blending rich cream cheese with spiced pumpkin puree in a buttery graham cracker crust. For a flawless finish, let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating to avoid cracks. View Recipe 06 of 21 Beef Stew Julia Hartbeck This hearty beef stew is packed with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a rich tomato and balsamic broth. After a couple of hours in the oven, you'll have a cozy, melt-in-your-mouth meal perfect for a fall evening. View Recipe 07 of 21 Roast Chicken With Vegetables and Potatoes Marcus Nilsson With golden skin and caramelized vegetables, this terrific roast epitomizes sweater weather. A squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of parsley add some pop, balancing the warm flavors with brightness. View Recipe 08 of 21 Butternut Squash Soup With Coconut Milk and Ginger BRYAN GARDNER A creamy butternut squash soup bursts with flavor? We're (f)all about it. Roast the squash, then blend it with coconut milk, ginger, and coriander. Add a splash of lime juice, drizzle with coconut milk, and top with toasted squash seeds for a cozy, satisfying fall dish. View Recipe 09 of 21 Old-Fashioned Apple Pie Rachel Marek This classic pie packs a punch of tart Granny Smith apples, cozy spices, and a buttery, golden crust. It’s everything you want on a crisp fall day—comforting, a little sweet, and impossible to resist. View Recipe 10 of 21 Apple-Cider Donut Cake Grant Webster Everything you love about fall in Bundt cake form is here in this cake: namely, warm spices and a cinnamon-sugar coating that mimics the best part of a cider donut. Brushed with melted butter and dusted with cinnamon sugar, it’s the kind of cake you’ll want to eat straight from the oven. View Recipe 11 of 21 Basic Chicken Soup Diana Chistruga What’s unexpected about this terrific soup is how much flavor you get from such simple ingredients in under an hour—thanks to the whole chicken and fresh vegetables. Plus, it’s versatile enough to freeze for later, making it a comforting go-to for any fall day. View Recipe 12 of 21 Easy Beef Chili This bean-free chili is a hearty one, seasoned with chili powder, cocoa, and fire-roasted tomatoes for a rich, smoky flavor. Simmered with onions, garlic, jalapeño, and chicken broth, it's served with sour cream and chives for a comforting finish. You can swap in ground pork or turkey for beef, if you'd like. View Recipe 13 of 21 Pork Chops With Apples and Onions Brie Goldman Pork chops, seared to a golden brown, are a great match for tender apples and caramelized onions in this savory-sweet fall meal. Finish the dish with a splash of beer or cider and serve it over mashed potatoes or rice to soak up all the rich flavors. View Recipe 14 of 21 Macaroni and Cheese Bryan Gardner The blend of sharp cheddar and Gruyère, combined with the warm, rich flavors of nutmeg and cayenne, gives this baked pasta an autumnal twist. View Recipe 15 of 21 Apple Oat Crisp John Kernick With a crunchy oat topping sweetened with brown sugar and a spiced filling of tender apples and dried cherries, this apple crisp is hard to resist. Baked until golden and fragrant, it's an easy and comforting dessert perfect for any autumn occasion. View Recipe 16 of 21 Slow-Cooker Pot Roast Jacob Fox Tender beef melds perfectly with sweet, caramelized carrots and onions, creating a cozy dish that warms you from the inside out. With its rich aroma, this dish makes a great centerpiece for chilly evenings. View Recipe 17 of 21 Classic Chicken Potpie Grant Webster A flaky, buttery crust gives way to a rich, savory filling of tender chicken and colorful vegetables in a velvety sauce. It's not a speedy supper, but it results in a warm, golden masterpiece that serves six and brings a little homemade magic to any chilly night. View Recipe 18 of 21 Apple-Butternut Squash Soup Rachel Marek This apple-butternut squash soup combines sweet and savory flavors to create a cozy fall dish. The apples add a unique twist, balancing the creamy squash with a touch of tartness. View Recipe 19 of 21 Sautéed Red Cabbage Julia Hartbeck Red cabbage's deep purple hues and hearty texture make it a vibrant, seasonal side that pairs perfectly with fall meals. View Recipe 20 of 21 Candy Apples Jason Donnelly With a crisp, glossy coating that cracks when you bite in, these nostalgic fall treats are a delight. Whether you make 6 medium or 12 mini versions, the sweet, sticky apples are surprisingly simple to whip up. View Recipe 21 of 21 Everyday Vegetable Soup Jacob Fox This easy vegetable soup brims with hearty seasonal vegetables like carrots, and potatoes. Perfect for a cozy dinner or packed in a thermos for lunch, it’s the ideal comfort food for crisp days or when you're feeling under the weather. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit