Ah, autumn—the season where the air feels like a gentle hug, and the trees wear their finest attire. It’s this time of year that my kitchen becomes a haven, filled with the aroma of spices and warmth. I’m talking about those cozy, soul-hugging dinners that make you forget the chill outside—dishes that are, dare I say, the culinary equivalent of a fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa.
Steps
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: Begin by cooking butternut squash until tender. Blend it with cheese and mix into cooked pasta. Bake until bubbly and golden.
- Beet Salad with Goat Cheese: Roast beets until soft, then slice them. Toss with goat cheese, candied walnuts, and a dressing of orange juice and balsamic vinegar.
- Best Butternut Squash Soup Ever: Simmer cubed butternut squash in chicken broth until tender. Blend until smooth and season to taste.
- Gourmet Mushroom Risotto: Sauté mushrooms and onions, then add rice and gradually stir in broth until creamy. Finish with Parmesan cheese.
- Cedar Planked Salmon: Soak a cedar plank, then place salmon fillets on top. Grill until the salmon is moist and smoky.
- Easy Pasta Fagioli: Cook ditalini pasta and cannellini beans in a savory broth. Serve with Parmesan and crusty bread.
- Easy Chicken Marsala: Sauté chicken breasts, then simmer in Marsala wine and cream with mushrooms and green onions until the chicken is cooked through.
- Grilled Pork Loin Chops: Marinate pork chops in a tangy mix, then grill until juicy and flavorful.
- Fish Chowder: Simmer fish with potatoes and onions in a creamy broth. Top with bacon bits and hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash: Halve the squash and soften in the microwave. Cook in the air fryer until tender, then shred into strands.
- Shoyu Chicken: Marinate chicken in soy sauce-based marinade, then grill until cooked through. Serve with rice.
- Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto: Combine mushrooms, rice, and broth in an Instant Pot, and cook until creamy. Stir in Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken Dinner: Coat chicken and vegetables with harissa sauce, then bake on a sheet pan until cooked through.
- Creamy Corn Soup: Simmer corn kernels in broth, then blend until smooth. Season and serve hot.
- Curry Red Lentil Soup: Cook red lentils with spices and your choice of vegetables. Simmer until the lentils are tender.
- Easy 5-Ingredient Chili: Brown ground beef, then add canned tomatoes, beans, and chili spices. Simmer until flavors meld.
- Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza: Top a pre-made pizza crust with Buffalo chicken and cheese, then bake until the cheese is melted.
- Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad: Roast seasonal vegetables and toss with toasted pepitas and fresh herbs.
- Mexican Casserole: Layer chicken, black beans, corn, cheese, and tortilla chips in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly.
- Sangria Ham: Marinate ham in a blend of wine and juices, then bake until tender and flavorful.
- Grilled Wild Duck Breast: Season duck breasts and grill until they reach desired doneness. Serve as a main dish.
- Instant Pot Pork Chops: Cook pork chops in an Instant Pot until tender. Serve with your choice of sides.
- Bourbon Street Rib-Eye Steak: Marinate steaks in a bourbon mixture, then grill until perfectly cooked.
- Kielbasa with Brussels Sprouts: Cook kielbasa slices and Brussels sprouts with red onion until caramelized.
- A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey: Season turkey with salt and pepper, then roast in the oven, basting occasionally.
- Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs: Roast chicken thighs with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, adding maple syrup for flavor.
- The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake: Layer chicken with a cheesy coating in a baking dish, then bake until golden.
- Caramel Apple Pork Chops: Cook pork chops with apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a sweet and savory dish.
- Shakshuka: Simmer a spicy tomato sauce, then poach eggs in the sauce. Serve with bread for dipping.
- Slow Cooker Ham: Place ham in a slow cooker, cover with brown sugar, and cook until juicy and tender.
Ingredients
- Cooked butternut squash
- Macaroni pasta
- Cheese (type not specified)
- Beets
- Goat cheese
- Maple-candied walnuts
- Orange and balsamic vinaigrette
- Butternut squash
- Chicken broth
- Mushrooms
- Arborio rice
- Grilled meats or chicken (optional accompaniment)
- Salmon
- Cedar plank
- Asian-style rice (optional accompaniment)
- Asparagus (optional accompaniment)
- Cannellini beans
- Ditalini pasta
- Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Crusty bread (for serving)
- Chicken breasts
- Marsala wine
- Cream
- Mushrooms
- Green onion
- Pork loin chops
- Marinade (tangy and slightly sweet)
- Fish (type not specified)
- Bacon bits (for topping)
- Hot sauce (for topping)
- Spaghetti squash
- Chicken
- Shoyu (soy sauce)
- Rice (optional accompaniment)
- Mushrooms
- Arborio rice
- Parmesan cheese
- Chicken
- Harissa sauce
- Corn
- Red lentils
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Kale
- Spices
- Ingredient Chili Ingredients:
- 5 ingredients (specifics not provided)
- Style Chicken Pizza Ingredients:
- Prepared pizza crust
- Buffalo chicken
- Seasonal squash
- Brussels sprouts
- Toasted pepitas
- Fresh herbs
- Chicken breast
- Black beans
- Corn
- Cheese
- Tortilla chip crumbs
- Ham
- Sangria or Burgundy wine
- Pineapple juice
- Other fruit juices (optional)
- Wild duck breasts
- Pork chops
- Eye Steak Ingredients:
- Rib-eye steak
- Marinade (includes bourbon)
- Kielbasa
- Baby Brussels sprouts
- Red onion
- Macaroni and cheese (optional accompaniment)
- French bread (optional accompaniment)
- Turkey
- Salt
- Pepper
- Turkey stock
- Stuffing (optional)
- Roasted Chicken Thighs Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Maple syrup
- Sweet potato wedges
- Brussels sprouts
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
- Chicken
- Parmesan cheese
- Sauce (type not specified)
- Pork chops
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Eggs
- Tomato sauce
- Onions
- Bell pepper
- Garlic
- Bread (for serving)
- Bone-in picnic ham
- Brown sugar
FAQ
- What makes these fall recipes “lazy”?
- These recipes are considered “lazy” because they require minimal effort, often using just one pan or a single baking dish. Some are quick to prepare, while others need minimal attention once cooking starts, making them perfect for busy fall days.
- Are these recipes suitable for beginners?
- Yes, the collection includes simple recipes with straightforward steps that are perfect for beginners. They focus on seasonal flavors and easy techniques, making them accessible to cooks of all skill levels.
- Can these recipes be made in advance?
- Many of these recipes, such as soups and casseroles, can be prepared in advance or have components that can be made ahead of time, saving you effort during busy days.
- Do the recipes require special kitchen equipment?
- While some recipes might suggest using specific equipment like an Instant Pot or air fryer, most can be made with basic kitchen tools. The focus is on convenience and simplicity.
- Are these recipes suitable for a specific dietary preference?
- The recipes cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian options like the beet salad with goat cheese and vegan-friendly choices like curry red lentil soup. However, individual adjustments may be needed to fit specific dietary needs.
Tips
- Utilize Seasonal Ingredients: Incorporate seasonal produce like butternut squash and beets into your dishes to enhance flavors and make the most of autumn’s bounty.
- Use Time-Saving Kitchen Tools: Consider using an Instant Pot for recipes like risotto to save time and effort while achieving a restaurant-quality dish.
- Simplify with One-Pan Meals: Opt for one-pan or sheet pan recipes like harissa chicken or maple-roasted chicken thighs for easy preparation and minimal cleanup.
- Enhance with Simple Marinades: Elevate dishes such as grilled pork chops or Bourbon Street rib-eye steak by preparing simple yet flavorful marinades that require minimal ingredients but add significant depth to the meal.
Equipment
- Cedar Planks – Needed for the Cedar Planked Salmon.
- Instant Pot – Used for the Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto and Instant Pot Pork Chops.
- Air Fryer – Used for the Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash.
- Sheet Pans – Useful for Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken Dinner and Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs.
- Slow Cooker – Used for the Slow Cooker Ham.
- Mandoline Slicer – Helpful for evenly slicing vegetables for the Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad and similar dishes.
- Grill or Grill Pan – For Grilled Pork Loin Chops, Bourbon Street Rib-Eye Steak, and Grilled Wild Duck Breast.
