29 Fall Dinner Recipes I Look Forward To Every Year
When the season changes and sweaters come out, dinners shift right along with them. These 29 fall dinner recipes bring the kind of meals people expect when leaves start piling up in the yard. Think warm plates, easy family favorites, and dishes that disappear before seconds are offered.

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Looking forward to dinner feels easy when crispy bites show up on the table on busy nights. Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders bring a sweet finish with just enough crunch so every piece holds up for dipping. Kids never say no to these no matter the side dish. Extras usually get eaten cold from the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
Beef Enchilada Casserole

Layered dinners always hit the spot when plates go from empty to full in one scoop. Beef Enchilada Casserole stacks up rich flavor while staying together for seconds or packed lunches. Heat holds well for those who arrive late. People always end up asking for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole
Tortellini Soup

Comfort shows up fast with big bowls filled to the top on colder evenings. Tortellini Soup offers a simple way to bring folks together while keeping everybody warm. The soup stays good even the next day. Usually gets finished before anything else on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup
Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

Building meals all in one pan means less work but full flavor for the whole table. Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos are loaded with color and crunch and perfect for sharing with friends. Extras turn into a quick lunch the next day. Every time the plates come back empty.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos
Chili Relleno Casserole

Baking up a cozy dish means easy helpings for family or solo dinners. Chili Relleno Casserole holds soft layers with a small kick that works for everyone at the table. Forks scrape the pan clean every time. Not much is ever left after the first round.
Get the Recipe: Chili Relleno Casserole
Turkey Chili

Simmered pots with hearty flavors always make dinnertime feel special at home. Turkey Chili brings comfort for both quick bowls or slow meals with good company. Leftovers just get better after a day in the fridge. Someone always asks if there’s enough for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili
Cashew Chicken

Stir-fry dinners save the day when everyone’s hungry and nobody wants to wait. Cashew Chicken packs crunch with every bite without getting soggy during a second heating. Fills plates fast and nobody misses takeout those nights. Bowls are always emptied to the last bite.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Easy Cornbread Casserole

Cornbread always brings people over to the table a little faster. Easy Cornbread Casserole feels soft in the middle and holds up well with hearty spoons or easy sides. It pairs with lots of mains or works solo. Slices go missing straight from the pan before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cornbread Casserole
Cacio e Pepe

Simple pasta becomes special when lunch or dinner needs a quick boost. Cacio e Pepe twirls smoothly on the fork with just enough flavor to stand on its own. Easy for weeknight meals or late-night snacks. Plates are clean before the next meal even begins.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Thick sauces and soft noodles win hearts on low-key nights. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff keeps its comfort on the reheat while every spoonful feels just as fresh a day later. Bowls always seem too small for just one helping. Family asks for it again as soon as the pot runs out.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
French Onion Casserole

Every bite comes packed with soft layers and crisp topping when dinnertime rolls around. French Onion Casserole makes serving family style easy so everyone grabs seconds without asking. Good for big crowds or small groups. Not much is left to put away after dinner.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole
Chicken Fried Steak

Dinner plates fill up fast when every bite packs a crunch with just the right fold. Chicken Fried Steak gives memories of old diners or mom’s kitchen with its crispy finish. Great with classic sides or by itself. Most folks reach for seconds even after saying they’re full.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak
Beef Moussaka

Special dinners get a big lift with a casserole full of layers that keep flavor strong. Beef Moussaka slices clean with every fork and holds together for next-day leftovers. Works well for guests when you want to serve something different. The baking dish is often empty by meal’s end.
Get the Recipe: Beef Moussaka
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Rustic favorites like these bring comfort when the day has been long. Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole combines soft and chewy in every scoop, making big portions feel right at home. Kids come back for seconds even before clearing their first plates. Easy to warm up for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi

Plump, soft sides make old favorites even cozier at dinner. Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi stays creamy and full from the first bite to leftovers. Guests usually help themselves to another spoonful without waiting. People mention it long after the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
Pork Tenderloin

Bare plates say it all when a favorite roast comes out for dinner with family. Pork Tenderloin slices tender and keeps its flavor even after a night in the fridge. Works with almost any side dish. Extras never stick around long.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin
Blackened Chicken Clubs

Sandwich night makes any dinner feel easy, especially when loaded with flavor. Blackened Chicken Clubs offer a crisp outside with a soft inside that people remember. Stack them high for a full meal at home. Everyone wants leftovers for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Clubs
Easy Bibimbap

Rice bowls with toppings let everyone pick what they want for a busy weeknight. Easy Bibimbap mixes crunch with soft and never runs out of color. Bowls come together quickly and get eaten even quicker. Great for using up bits from the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Easy Bibimbap
Cabbage Casserole

Old-school recipes hold their own on nights you want more than just a quick fix. Cabbage Casserole stays firm after baking and delivers flavor with each bite. Leftover slices keep well for another meal. Filling enough that nobody leaves the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole
Vegetable Soup

Nothing beats a hearty soup when you want a bowl you can fill to the top. Vegetable Soup mixes comfort with full flavor so it works just fine on its own or as a starter. Even better as lunch the next day. Always reminds people of home.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Soup
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Small tortillas packed with color make dinner both quick and exciting. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos bring a rich filling, so plates go clean before seconds get served. Easy to set up with extras for lunch later. Rarely do leftovers last long.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Mac gets a soft upgrade when squash comes into the pot during the week. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese keeps a smooth bite and fun color for busy plates. Doubles up well for lunchboxes or hot dinners. Scoops always go quickly at the table.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Taco Soup

Big bowls come out quickly when the family wants something hot and full for dinner. Taco Soup sticks to the ribs without feeling too heavy for a second helping. Pairs well with chips or bread. Usually, there are no leftovers to worry about.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup
Maple Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe

Dinner gets simple when everything cooks together and plates fill without fuss. Maple Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe gives every piece a sweet finish with soft veggies and juicy chicken together. Less mess makes cleaning up a lot easier. It’s usually the first pan to empty on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Maple Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

When pasta is needed to end the day, this dish always shows up on the list. Marry Me Shrimp Pasta mixes soft noodles with a saucy finish that keeps people asking for more. Extras work great for cold lunches. Not much gets saved for another meal.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Slow cooker recipes bring people home to a meal that makes the house smell good. Crockpot Marry Me Chicken turns out soft and juicy so plates stay full. Portion out leftovers easily for busy lunches. Always a hit with everyone around the table.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Tom Yum Soup

Bright bowls offer a change-up on regular soup nights when you need a little boost. Tom Yum Soup gives a strong punch of heat and flavor with every spoonful. Leftovers reheat well without losing their kick. It’s often talked about the next day.
Get the Recipe: Tom Yum Soup
Cheese Ravioli

Pasta night never runs late when pillows of soft dough take over dinner. Cheese Ravioli comes together in minutes and fills up everyone quickly. Kids tend to clean their plates on this night. Extras rarely stick around till morning.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Ravioli
Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes

Dinner gets a spicy boost when potatoes open up to something new and different. Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes are hearty enough for main meals or late-night snacks. Each bite gives a little kick without hitting too hard. Most trays end up empty before the movie is done.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
