31 Comforting October Recipes That Will Have You Ready To (Finally) Embrace Cooler Fall Weather
Welcome all to my favorite month of the year and what I like to think of as the official start to soup season. The days are finally getting chillier, which means more comforting meals (and all the squash I can get my hands on). So, whether you're hosting some spooky get-togethers or having a cozy night in, here are some recipes to help you out this month.
1.Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Take advantage of all the delicious fall apples with this incredibly easy breakfast that will have you set for the whole week.
Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
2.Chai-Spiced Sweet Potato Pancakes
Save yourself some time by cooking and mashing your sweet potatoes ahead of time, or even use canned pumpkin if you’re trying to go super minimal effort.
3.Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
This super simple quick bread is an absolute show-stopper that evokes all the flavors of fall. Serve it any time from breakfast to dessert.
Recipe: Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
4.Butternut Squash, Bacon, Kale, and Goat Cheese Frittata
While this super-filling breakfast is perfect for a weekend brunch or a week-long meal prep, it would also be an amazing lunch served with a simply dressed green salad.
Recipe: Butternut Squash, Bacon, Kale, and Goat Cheese Frittata
5.Roasted Grape Crostini with Brie and Fresh Thyme
This simple appetizer will only take you 10 minutes to prep and leave you with the perfect combo of jammy roasted grapes and creamy brie.
6.Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon and Dates
You’ll probably need to make seconds of this sweet-savory dip. Serve with some crusty bread for the ultimate bite.
7.Maple Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus
Spicy, smoky, and subtly sweet, this hummus is the perfect dip for colder nights.
Recipe: Maple Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus
8.Brussels Sprout, Kale, and Apple Salad with Sharp Cheddar and Bacon
Shred the fruits and veggies in this salad to fit everything on your fork for a satisfying bite. A mandoline will make this effortless, but it’s still very doable without one.
Recipe: Brussels Sprout, Kale, and Apple Salad with Sharp Cheddar and Bacon
9.Pear and Prosciutto Ricotta Tart
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or maybe even a snack for yourself, this tart is just the thing you need. You can even try swapping the ricotta for goat cheese or brie if you’re looking to change things up.
Recipe: Pear and Prosciutto Ricotta Tart
10.Broccoli Manicotti with Burrata
You can skip boiling the pasta here as it all cooks in the sauce when baking. Is there really anything better than getting to skip a cooking step?
Recipe: Broccoli Manicotti with Burrata
11.Chipotle Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili
Done all in one pot, this rich vegetarian chili couldn’t be easier to make. Plus, it packs plenty of protein to keep you full.
12.Brussels Sprouts Pizza with Balsamic Red Onions
If you’re ever struggling to find a more creative (and tastier) way to eat Brussels sprouts, here’s your answer. This pizza skips the classic tomato base and replaces it with balsamic onions for the ultimate cozy meal.
13.Cauliflower Orange Gnocchi
This isn’t your average bowl of gnocchi. The key here is to slice the cauliflower as thin as possible using a mandoline (a sharp knife will also do the trick) to get it to crisp up beautifully.
Recipe: Cauliflower Orange Gnocchi
14.Creamy Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms
Sure, polenta takes a bit of hands-on cooking time, but don’t let that intimidate you from making this super comforting (yet simple) dish.
15.One Pot Stovetop Pumpkin Mac 'n' Cheese
This luxuriously creamy seasonal mac 'n' cheese is going to quickly become your go-to fall dinner. The best part? It comes together in one pot in only 30 minutes.
16.Mexican Roasted Corn and Quinoa Stuffed Squash
Stuffed squash is one of my all-time favorite dinners to make in the fall, and I guarantee this hearty yet light version will definitely make its way into your weekly rotation.
17.Tandoori Chicken and Cauliflower Sheet Pan Dinner
Cauliflower and chicken thighs get tossed in a flavorful tandoori yogurt sauce and popped in the oven for 30 minutes to create this super easy dinner. Serve with some fluffy basmati rice to really round everything out.
18.Creamy Wild Rice Chicken Soup with Roasted Mushrooms
You can definitely make this hearty soup on the stovetop, but if you want to make everything as easy as possible, just toss everything in your slow cooker on a busy weeknight.
Recipe: Creamy Wild Rice Chicken Soup with Roasted Mushrooms
19.Smoky Pumpkin Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons
The classic soup and grilled cheese combo just got a serious upgrade. If you want to keep this vegetarian, skip the bacon or even replace it with a vegetarian "soy-rizo" for that smoky flavor.
20.Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops
This ultra-comforting dish comes together all in one pan making cleanup a breeze. Play around with the mushroom variety while they’re still in season.
Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops
21.Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortellini Soup
This creamy soup is perfect for sneaking in any additional seasonal veggies for all those picky eaters.
22.Vineyard Chicken
Roasted grapes and shallots elevate this rustic chicken dish, making it an easy fall favorite. Serve with your favorite grain or even let it shine on its own.
Recipe: Vineyard Chicken
23.Mushroom Risotto with Frizzled Leeks
Feel free to serve this risotto with a piece of chicken or fish, but between the hearty mushrooms and crispy leeks, you’ll likely find that it can stand on its own.
24.Gochujang Delicata Squash with Rice and Tofu
Once you make this, you’ll want to put the spicy-sweet gochujang glaze on everything. Serve with your desired protein and you’re in for a treat.
25.Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Don't let the “caramel” of this cake intimidate you — all it takes is melting some butter with brown sugar to create a rich sauce that pairs beautifully with crisp apples.
Recipe: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
26.Cranberry Shortbread Bars
These bars are buttery, tart, and just sweet enough. The walnut topping really takes it over the edge and adds an additional layer of crunch.
Recipe: Cranberry Shortbread Bars
27.Pumpkin Shortcakes with Cinnamon Apples and Maple Whipped Cream Cheese
Can’t decide between pumpkin and apple this season? This can be your happy compromise. This dessert is a little more labor intensive than average, so give it a shot during a rainy weekend or holiday. I promise it’ll be worth it.
Recipe: Pumpkin Shortcakes with Cinnamon Apples and Maple Whipped Cream Cheese
28.Spider Web Cheesecake Tart
No need for a water bath or super long bake time on this spooky cheesecake. Just account for the two hours of chilling time if you’re looking to serve this up during any Halloween festivities.
Recipe: Spider Web Cheesecake Tart
29.Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
With warm spices and maple syrup, this whiskey sour is the perfect cozy cocktail. Plus, it’s easy to batch for all your fall gatherings.
Recipe: Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
30.Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
This margarita swaps the tequila for mezcal for that signature smoky flavor (but you can totally stick to tequila if you’re not a mezcal fan). If you’re really trying to impress, don’t skip out on the smoked cinnamon stick garnish.
31.Rosemary Blackberry Limonata
Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you can’t opt for a more refreshing cocktail. You’ll still get some of those earthy flavors from the rosemary, but can count on the blackberry syrup and limonata to brighten things up.
Recipe: Rosemary Blackberry Limonata
