15 Fall Dinner Ideas

What should you make for dinner when the weather finally starts to cool off and the comfy, cozy season shows up?! These 15 Fall Dinner Ideas are just the answer. I’ve got everything from beef, chicken, and seafood recipes to pastas, soups, and one-pot wonders!

Let’s get started!

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beef dinner ideas

1. French Onion Pot Roast

This is a picture of French Onion Pot Roast served over mashed potatoes with gruyere melted toasts.

French Onion Pot Roast is simple, yet so comforting when you’re craving a recipe that will warm your soul on a cold day. Classic flavors of french onion soup are transformed to a succulent, fall-apart beef roast. It’s comfort food at it’s finest with flavors that are both familiar and drool-worthy.

2. Ground Beef Stroganoff

This is ground beef stroganoff in a large braiser, garnished with chives and thyme - a great fall dinner idea.

Ground Beef Stroganoff is the full-of-flavor comfort food dish that comes together quickly, needs minimal cleanup, and tastes amazing! Fall is upon us and it’s about time for those warm, cozy meals that just hit right this time of year.

3. Salisbury Steak Meatballs

This is a picture of salisbury steak meatballs in a cast iron skillet garnished with chives and parsley.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs is a fun twist on the old-fashioned, comfort food recipe that will warm both your belly and your soul. Tender, succulent meatballs are finished in mouthwatering mushroom gravy. What could be wrong about that? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

4. Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

This is a piece of mongolian beef picked up by chopsticks. Perfect for a fall dinner.

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is the minimal effort, comfort food fall dinner recipe that is perfect for the cooler weather and even better for those busy schedules. Everything gets dumped into a slow cooker and that’s about it. Seriously. Set it and forget it. Almost. Just until it’s time to eat! You don’t want to miss that part.

5. Beef Shepherd’s Pie

This is a picture of beef shepherd's pie in a large skillet with green onion and bacon garnish.

Beef Shepherd’s Pie aka Cottage Pie is as classic as a comfort food recipe can get. And, what’s not to love?! Hearty beef and vegetables simmer in a delicious gravy, topped with buttery, cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked until everything comes together. Serve it for dinner once and your family will sing your praises from now on. If there was a better fall dinner idea, I don’t know it!

soup for dinner ideas

6. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

bowls of baked potato soup with crusty bread on the side

Loaded Baked Potato Soup is truly one of the most comforting soup recipes that I can think of. It’s rich and hearty and is topped with all the wonderful things that make a loaded baked potato delicious. An extra sprinkle of crispy bacon never hurt anything, amiright?!

7. Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

This is a bowl of shrimp and okra gumbo.

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo is the classic Southern comfort food recipe in a bowl that you need in your back pocket. Is is simple and delicious? Yes, it is! Does it take a minute to make? Yes. Is it worth the effort? 100000000% yes.

dinner ideas with chicken

8. Cornish Hens

This is a white serving platter with two roasted cornish hens and a vintage serving fork.

Cornish Hens are a fun, yet elegant twist, on a classic turkey or roasted chicken for your cozy dinners at home or impressive holiday tables. They are absolutely delicious, simple to prepare, and everyone loves them. And, what’s not to love. They’re so full of flavor, totally customizable, and the juiciest version of chicken you’ll ever have!

9. One Pot Chicken and Rice

This is a picture of a large skillet of chicken and rice.

One Pot Chicken and Rice is a classic comfort food if there ever was one. This version is a super simple one-pot wonder that the entire family will love. Full of wonderful flavor, super cozy and perfect for fall, this recipe even has an easy cleanup. What’s not to like about that?!

10. Creamy Butter Chicken

This is a picture of creamy Indian butter chicken served over rice with naan.

Creamy Butter Chicken is one of the world’s most beloved dishes. And, for good reason, too! Tender chunks of chicken are bathed in a creamy, tomato-based sauce that is both rich and packed with amazing flavor. This fantastic dish strikes a perfect balance between hearty and aromatic spices. Because it’s so easy to throw together, its a perfect family recipe for both quick weeknight dinners and easy meal prep for the week to come.

seafood

11. Shrimp and Polenta

This is a bowl of shrimp and polenta for a fall dinner recipe roundup.

Shrimp and Polenta is an elevated comfort meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. If you’re a fan of soul-warming comfort food, then the thought of shrimp sautéed in bacon drippings, seasoned with a robust blend of Cajun and Old Bay spices, nestled onto a bed of creamy, cheese-infused polenta will have you drooling. Promise.

12. Coconut Curry Salmon

salmon coconut curry in a large cast iron skillet

Coconut Curry Salmon is one of my family’s favorite comfort meals ever and perfect for a fall dinner. My kids request this all the time. The warm spices, the rich sauce served over perfectly roasted salmon with noodles is something we will forever crave. Not only is this recipe absolutely delicious, but it’s simple to make. It’s fantastic for an easy weeknight comfort meal and even great for a dinner party. No matter how you serve it, it’ll be a big hit.

pasta ideas

13. Cheesy Taco Pasta

This is a picture of pasta shells cooked in cheese sauce with ground beef garnished with cilantro, pico de gallo, and fresh limes for a fall dinner idea roundup.

Cheesy Taco Pasta I mean, what sounds bad about that?! Absolutely nothing. This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s a fun spin on our weekly Taco Tuesday. Seasoned ground beef, creamy queso, and perfectly cooked pasta shells come together to make an easy comfort meal that everyone will love!

14. Pesto Lasagna

creamy pesto ricotta lasagna with fresh herb garnishes

Pesto Lasagna is the classic comfort food that we all love and adore. Layers of a simple bolognese, creamy pesto ricotta that will make you drool, and copious amounts of cheese, come together to make the most amazing hug on a plate you’ve ever had.

15. Pasta Alla Genovese

pasta alla genovese - an onion and beef ragù served on a plate from a dutch oven, garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs - a fall dinner recipe idea

15. Pasta Alla Genovese is a wonderful, luscious beef and onion ragù recipe that is one of our most favorite comfort meals. It’s a slow-cooked, make-your-house-smell-amazing recipe thats perfect for a casual family dinner, but so delicious you could serve it for your next dinner party.

Thank you!

I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try any of my 15 Fall Dinner Ideas and recipes and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or star rating below. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Happy Cooking!

–Rufus

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