The official first day of fall may still be two weeks away, but we’ve been feeling a shift in the kitchen since the start of September. Don’t worry — we’re not going full pumpkin spice with the menu yet, but instead offering recipe options that will help you ease into autumn. Think shareable dishes to serve during football season and weeknight staples with a seasonal twist.
Instead of grasping on to the little we have left of summer, we're leaning into fall with a roundup of seasonal recipes. From warm veggie starters to heartier dinner dishes, these picks will get you excited for the cooler weather that's on its way. And to sweeten the deal, we've even included some unexpected takes on classic desserts that you'll want to make — and eat — on repeat.
This week's recipes:
Fall Starters:
Fall Mains:
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like pasta with vodka sauce. The Italian-American classic is ultra creamy and decadent. This fall twist swaps the usual tomatoes with pumpkin for a cozy dinner that’s fit for cool nights. The sauce is rich and addicting and incredibly easy to make, making it as perfect for a last-minute date night or dinner party with friends as it is for a quick weeknight dinner.
There’s something extra special about being served a meal that’s sized perfectly to enjoy all by yourself. A stuffed squash is a savory treat that happily serves just one — or you can scale up the recipe to feed a larger crowd. Here, small winter squash is filled with hearty wild mushrooms, kale and fragrant herbs. It’s a dish that’s perfectly suited for the vegetarians in your life but also hearty enough that it might just win over your meat-loving friends, too.
Growing up, casseroles made the regular dinner roster in our house. Tamale pie was always my go-to comfort food. It was a year-round staple for us, and whenever I heard that it was on the menu, I knew it was going to be a good day. Tamale pie is the ultimate hybrid dish — it’s equal parts casserole, chili and an all-around crowd-pleaser. Best of all, the cornbread is baked on top instead of being served on the side. It is hearty, satisfying and sticks to your ribs like nothing else.