When the crisp autumn air sets in, nothing feels more comforting than gathering around the table with a warm, hearty meal.

Fall weeknight dinners are all about convenience, flavor, and seasonal ingredients—bringing together the best of cozy comfort food and quick-to-make recipes.

From creamy soups to skillet meals and oven-baked favorites, these dinners are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something filling yet fuss-free.

To make your meal planning easier, we’ve rounded up 17 delicious fall weeknight dinner recipes.

Each recipe includes a unique name, a short description, a full ingredient list, and step-by-step instructions so you can recreate them in your kitchen with ease.

1. Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

A rich and velvety pasta dish made with pumpkin puree, garlic, and Parmesan for the ultimate fall-inspired comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Stir in pumpkin puree and cream, then simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until sauce thickens.
5. Toss pasta in the sauce and garnish with parsley before serving.

2. Maple-Glazed Pork Chops with Apples

Juicy pork chops paired with caramelized apples and a sweet maple glaze create a savory-sweet fall delight.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in pork chops
• 2 apples (sliced)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter in a skillet and sear pork chops on both sides until golden.
3. Add apple slices, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Cook until apples soften.
4. Spoon glaze over pork chops and serve warm.

3. Butternut Squash Soup with Sage

This creamy soup is a fall classic—perfectly spiced and topped with fresh sage for an aromatic touch.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh sage leaves
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add butternut squash cubes and vegetable broth. Simmer until squash softens.
3. Blend until smooth, then stir in cream.
4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with sage, and serve.

4. Sheet Pan Harvest Chicken Dinner

A one-pan wonder featuring chicken, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and cranberries.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 cups Brussels sprouts (halved)
• 2 cups sweet potatoes (cubed)
• ½ cup cranberries (fresh or dried)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss chicken and veggies with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange on a sheet pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
4. Sprinkle cranberries before serving.

5. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

A comforting, creamy dish packed with earthy mushroom flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups chicken broth (warm)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• ½ onion (chopped)
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup Parmesan
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and mushrooms.
2. Stir in rice and toast for 1–2 minutes.
3. Gradually add broth, stirring until absorbed.
4. Repeat until rice is creamy and fully cooked.
5. Stir in Parmesan, season, and serve warm.

6. Apple Cider Glazed Salmon

A light yet flavorful salmon dish with a sweet cider glaze that screams fall.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• ½ cup apple cider
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. In a pan, whisk cider, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and cornstarch. Cook until thickened.
2. Pan-sear salmon fillets until golden.
3. Brush glaze over salmon and serve.

7. Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

A hearty vegetarian chili loaded with fall flavors and protein-rich beans.

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes (cubed)
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and spices.
3. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.
4. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.

8. Sage Butter Gnocchi

Pillowy gnocchi tossed in a fragrant brown butter sage sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 package potato gnocchi
• 4 tbsp butter
• 6 sage leaves
• ½ cup Parmesan
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook gnocchi according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and cook until golden brown.
3. Add sage leaves and stir for 1 minute.
4. Toss in gnocchi, sprinkle Parmesan, and serve.

9. Cozy Chicken Pot Pie

Classic comfort food with a flaky crust and hearty filling.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 pie crust
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, veggies, soup, and thyme.
2. Pour mixture into a pie dish, cover with crust.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes.
4. Let cool before serving.

10. Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Flatbread

A gourmet yet easy dinner with sweet caramelized onions and tangy cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 flatbread
• 2 onions (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup goat cheese
• Fresh thyme

Instructions:

1. Caramelize onions in olive oil until golden.
2. Spread onions over flatbread and sprinkle with goat cheese.
3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
4. Garnish with thyme and serve.

11. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa

A wholesome vegetarian meal bursting with fall flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash (halved and seeded)
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• ½ cup cranberries
• ¼ cup pecans
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Roast acorn squash at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.
2. Mix quinoa, cranberries, pecans, olive oil, and cinnamon.
3. Fill squash halves with quinoa mixture and serve.

12. Beef Stroganoff Skillet

A creamy, savory skillet meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups egg noodles

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles and set aside.
2. In a skillet, sauté beef, onions, and mushrooms.
3. Stir in sour cream and butter until creamy.
4. Toss with noodles and serve.

13. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

A healthy yet indulgent meal with smoky BBQ flavors.

Ingredients:

• 4 sweet potatoes
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• Green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Bake sweet potatoes until tender.
2. Mix chicken with BBQ sauce.
3. Split potatoes, stuff with chicken, and top with cheese.
4. Bake until cheese melts, garnish with green onions.

14. Autumn Veggie Stir-Fry

A quick, colorful stir-fry with seasonal fall veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Brussels sprouts
• 1 cup butternut squash cubes
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a wok.
2. Add veggies and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
3. Toss with soy sauce and ginger, serve hot.

15. Turkey & Cranberry Grilled Cheese

A fun twist on leftovers, with sweet and savory flavors in one bite.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices bread
• 4 slices turkey
• 2 tbsp cranberry sauce
• 2 slices cheddar cheese
• Butter

Instructions:

1. Butter bread slices and layer with turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce.
2. Grill until golden brown on both sides.
3. Serve warm and gooey.

16. Pumpkin Chili Mac

A cozy fusion of chili and mac & cheese with a fall twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 2 cups macaroni pasta
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. Brown beef, then stir in pumpkin, tomatoes, and beans.
3. Add pasta and cheddar. Stir until cheesy and hearty.

17. Rustic Sausage & Kale Stew

A hearty stew filled with smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (sliced)
• 3 potatoes (cubed)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups kale (chopped)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil and cook sausage until browned.
2. Add onion and potatoes, sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in broth and simmer until potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in kale before serving.

Conclusion

Fall weeknight dinners are all about comfort, flavor, and simplicity. From creamy pumpkin pasta and hearty stews to light salmon dishes and veggie-packed stir-fries, these 17 fall recipes offer something for every taste and mood.

Whether you’re craving something quick or looking for a slow-baked comfort classic, these recipes will make your weeknights warmer and more enjoyable.