There’s something magical about Sunday dinners in the fall. The crisp air outside, the colorful leaves, and the comfort of a warm, hearty meal shared with loved ones make autumn the perfect season to slow down and savor cozy food traditions.
Fall flavors like pumpkin, butternut squash, apples, sage, rosemary, and cinnamon lend themselves beautifully to comforting main dishes, sides, and desserts that transform an ordinary Sunday into something memorable.
Whether you’re hosting family, planning a casual dinner with friends, or simply treating yourself to a relaxing evening, these 17+ Cozy Fall Sunday Dinner Recipes bring warmth, nostalgia, and seasonal flavor straight to your table.
From savory roasts to comforting casseroles and indulgent desserts, this list of 17+ fall recipes is designed to inspire your next cozy Sunday meal.
1. Classic Pot Roast with Vegetables
Description: Tender beef roast slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a rich, savory gravy.
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast
- 4 carrots (cut into chunks)
- 4 potatoes (quartered)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear on all sides in a hot skillet.
- Place in slow cooker with vegetables, broth, and tomato paste.
- Cook on low for 8 hours until tender.
- Serve with gravy poured over top.
2. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Description: A hearty soup loaded with tender chicken, wild rice, and vegetables in a creamy broth.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, thyme.
Instructions:
- Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in butter.
- Add garlic and seasonings.
- Stir in chicken, broth, and wild rice. Simmer until rice is cooked.
- Stir in cream before serving.
3. Butternut Squash Lasagna
Description: Layers of roasted butternut squash, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella baked to perfection.
Ingredients: Lasagna noodles, roasted butternut squash, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, spinach, nutmeg, marinara sauce.
Instructions:
- Roast butternut squash until soft.
- Layer noodles, ricotta, spinach, squash, and sauce.
- Repeat layers and top with cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.
4. Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Description: Juicy pork tenderloin coated with a sweet and savory maple glaze.
Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic, rosemary, salt & pepper.
Instructions:
- Whisk maple syrup, mustard, soy sauce, and garlic.
- Rub tenderloin with seasoning and roast at 400°F.
- Brush with glaze during roasting.
- Slice and serve with roasted veggies.
5. Harvest Chicken Skillet
Description: One-pan chicken dish with apples, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, apples, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, olive oil, cinnamon, rosemary, chicken broth.
Instructions:
- Season and sear chicken in skillet.
- Add vegetables and apples.
- Pour in broth and cook until tender.
- Serve hot straight from the skillet.
6. Pumpkin Sage Alfredo Pasta
Description: Creamy pumpkin Alfredo sauce tossed with fettuccine and fresh sage.
Ingredients: Fettuccine pasta, pumpkin puree, heavy cream, garlic, sage, parmesan, butter, salt & pepper.
Instructions:
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- In skillet, sauté garlic and sage in butter.
- Stir in pumpkin and cream, simmer until thick.
- Toss pasta in sauce and top with parmesan.
7. Beef and Barley Stew
Description: A rustic stew filled with tender beef, pearl barley, and hearty vegetables.
Ingredients: Stew beef, pearl barley, carrots, celery, onion, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, garlic.
Instructions:
- Brown beef in pot.
- Add vegetables and sauté.
- Stir in broth, barley, and seasonings.
- Simmer until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
8. Apple Cider Glazed Ham
Description: Sweet and tangy ham baked with an apple cider glaze.
Ingredients: Spiral ham, apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cloves.
Instructions:
- Score ham and place in roasting pan.
- Simmer cider, sugar, and mustard into glaze.
- Brush over ham and bake at 350°F.
- Re-glaze throughout baking.
9. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Description: A fall twist on the classic, topped with mashed sweet potatoes.
Ingredients: Ground beef or lamb, onion, carrots, peas, corn, Worcestershire sauce, sweet potatoes, butter, cream.
Instructions:
- Sauté ground meat and vegetables.
- Simmer with sauce until thickened.
- Spread into baking dish and top with mashed sweet potatoes.
- Bake until golden.
10. Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs
Description: Creamy mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients: Elbow pasta, cheddar cheese, butter, milk, flour, breadcrumbs, parmesan.
Instructions:
- Cook pasta and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, and cheese.
- Mix pasta into sauce.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs and bake until golden.
11. Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
Description: Creamy chicken filling topped with a golden puff pastry crust.
Ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, onion, chicken broth, cream, puff pastry, butter, flour, thyme.
Instructions:
- Cook chicken and vegetables in butter.
- Stir in broth and cream to thicken.
- Pour into pie dish and cover with puff pastry.
- Bake until crust is golden brown.
12. Autumn Harvest Chili
Description: A hearty chili with ground beef, beans, pumpkin, and warm spices.
Ingredients: Ground beef, beans, pumpkin puree, onion, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic.
Instructions:
- Brown beef with onion and garlic.
- Add pumpkin, beans, tomatoes, and spices.
- Simmer until thick and flavorful.
13. Garlic Rosemary Roast Chicken
Description: Juicy roast chicken infused with garlic and rosemary.
Ingredients: Whole chicken, garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs, olive oil, lemon, salt & pepper.
Instructions:
- Rub chicken with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.
- Stuff lemon inside cavity.
- Roast at 400°F until golden brown.
14. Acorn Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice
Description: Roasted acorn squash halves filled with wild rice and cranberries.
Ingredients: Acorn squash, wild rice, cranberries, pecans, onion, butter, cinnamon.
Instructions:
- Roast squash until tender.
- Cook wild rice with onion and cranberries.
- Spoon rice mixture into squash and serve.
15. Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff
Description: Comforting pasta dish with mushrooms in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients: Egg noodles, mushrooms, onion, garlic, sour cream, beef broth, flour, butter.
Instructions:
- Cook noodles and set aside.
- Sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
- Add broth and flour to thicken.
- Stir in sour cream and toss with noodles.
16. Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine
Description: Fall-off-the-bone short ribs braised in red wine and herbs.
Ingredients: Short ribs, red wine, beef broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme.
Instructions:
- Brown short ribs in Dutch oven.
- Add vegetables and garlic.
- Pour in wine and broth.
- Cover and braise at 325°F until tender.
17. Caramel Apple Crisp
Description: Warm baked apples topped with buttery oat crumble and caramel drizzle.
Ingredients: Apples, oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, caramel sauce.
Instructions:
- Slice apples and toss with sugar and cinnamon.
- Mix oats, flour, and butter for topping.
- Layer apples and crumble in baking dish.
- Bake until golden and bubbly.
18. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Description: A cozy dessert with warm spices and a custardy pumpkin base.
Ingredients: Cubed bread, pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, vanilla.
Instructions:
- Whisk pumpkin, eggs, milk, sugar, and spices.
- Pour over bread cubes.
- Let soak, then bake until set.
- Serve with whipped cream.
Conclusion
These 17+ Cozy Fall Sunday Dinner Recipes capture the essence of autumn in every bite.
From savory roasts to seasonal casseroles and comforting soups to indulgent desserts, each dish brings warmth and flavor to your Sunday table.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or cooking for a quiet evening at home, these recipes offer something for everyone.