21 Fall Dinners to Make on Weeknights That Are Reliably Delicious

These fall dinner recipes keep the flavor-to-work ratio high.

Smoky Black Bean Soup with Sausage
Photo:

Nico Schinco

Just in time for back-to-school season, we're sharing a full roster of fall dinner ideas. These recipes are especially curated for weeknights when there's less time for cooking.  Fall is full of reminders and routines—there's a lot going on, and dinner shouldn't add to the stress.

Some of these recipes are made in one pot or one pan, and others can be made in a slow cooker or prepared in advance, helping you to pull dinner together when you don't have a whole lot of time. We have hearty pastas for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike; roasts, soups and braises; a variety of proteins, and as always, plenty of vegetables.

No matter what, when fall is in full swing, we're all looking for ways to keep the kitchen warm and our spirits high, and these fall dinners do that deliciously.

01 of 21

Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

turkey and mushroom bolognese
Chris Simpson

If you think ragu Bolognese takes hours to cook, think again. You can make this lighter version with ground turkey and mushrooms and have heart-warming bowls of pasta on the table in about an hour.

02 of 21

Pork Chops With Apples and Onions

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Brie Goldman

Approach this classic, tasty combination with a sense of versatility: use the type of chops that work for your budget and choose apples and the braising liquid—apple cider, beer, or stock—by flavor.

03 of 21

Braised Chicken With Artichokes, Olives, and Lemon

artichoke-lemon-chicken-c-d112540.jpg
GEORGE BARBERIS

This rich stovetop braise will brighten your weeknight. The sunny flavors of fresh lemon and green olives just might transport you to the Mediterranean.

04 of 21

Slow-Cooker White Bean Soup

white-bean-plated-159-d113096.jpg
Lennart Weibull

You can look forward to gathering over bowls of this nourishing soup after a long day at work or school. This recipe features an Italian grandmother's trick-up-the sleeve: add a saved rind of parmesan to the pot as it simmers, and the flavor of your soup will be that much deeper.

05 of 21

Spaghetti With Shrimp, Kale and Burst Tomatoes

Spaghetti with Shrimp, Kale, and Burst Tomatoes
Chris Simpson

Store a bag of shrimp in your freezer—it will come in handy on those nights when you want to toss together a restaurant-worthy pasta dish at the last minute. This one uses the best of early fall produce, for a meal in a bowl.

06 of 21

Roast Chicken With Vegetables and Potatoes

roast-chicken-vegetables-potatoes-3e8b194b-0819

Nothing says homey like a roast chicken dinner. Follow the technique outlined in this recipe, and our top-notch version is sure to become your go to.

07 of 21

Hearty Turkey Chili

Hearty Turkey Chili
Con Poulos

On those weeknights when we need something robust for dinner, even when we all walk in the door at different times, a pot of chili is just the thing. Toppings can be ready to go for gussying up each bowl at the last minute. 

08 of 21

Test Kitchen's Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs

meatball makeover spaghetti
Alpha Smoot

Spaghetti and meatballs are always a favorite. These meatballs have a little surprise: half of the beef is replaced by mushrooms, making them healthier and more economical. Consider this fall dinner a definite home run.

09 of 21

Slow-Cooker Ropa Viejo

slow cooker root ropa vieja
Stephen Kent Johnson

Slowly cooked beef falls into shreds in this Cuban-style tomato and pepper braise. It makes a filling dinner served with cooked rice. Store-bought plantain chips are an easy alternative to the traditional smashed, fried plantains. 

10 of 21

Shrimp With Zucchini and Spicy Couscous

shrimp with zucchini and spicy couscous
Johnny Miller

Delightfully pretty and eager to please, this one-pot dinner will be your new best friend. Any leftovers could be a lunchbox solution, reheated or enjoyed at room temperature the next day.

11 of 21

Beer-Braised Sausages With Warm Potato Salad

med105199_0310_sausage_potato.jpg

Your favorite style of sausages can be adapted to this classic—and exceptionally simple—preparation. The whole thing cooks in one pot, and we've lightened up the potatoes by tossing them with parsley.

12 of 21

Baked-Eggplant Parmesan

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Grant Webster

A classic casserole like this parmigiana is perfect for fall days when everyone is on the go. Follow our step-by-step instructions to make this, and if you want, you can prep the whole dish in advance–just bring to room temperature and bake it in time for dinner.

13 of 21

Skillet-Cod With Bulgur, Zucchini, and Tomatoes

braised cod and bulgur with zucchini and tomatoes
Justin Walker

After you try this recipe, you might wonder why you haven't always cooked this way: cooking fresh ingredients sequentially in one pan until they create their own magic. Work smarter, not harder. 

14 of 21

Instant-Pot Chicken Curry

instant pot chicken curry
Bryan Gardner

With flavors of fresh ginger and spices, this curry makes use of the Instant Pot—and gives you an easy Indian-inspired dish to warm up with on a blustery night.

15 of 21

Whole-Wheat Tagliatelle With Creamy White-Bean Sauce

whole-wheat tagliatelle with creamy white-bean and kale sauce
Ryan Liebe

Creamy, and verdant, this satisfying pasta dish is meat-free. White beans and toasted almonds provide flavor and plenty of protein. Skip the Parmesan for serving and it's vegan.

16 of 21

Herby Broiled Swordfish With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

herby broiled swordfish with roasted cherry tomatoes
Johnny Miller

When you want to hang on to summer a little bit longer, try a broiled seafood dinner. Swordfish, and other meaty fillets of fish, pair perfectly with the last of the summer tomatoes. 

17 of 21

Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

slow-cooker pulled pork
Christina Holmes

If you have 10 minutes to set up this slow-cooker entrée early in the day, you'll come home to a fast and fun pulled-pork dinner. A bowl of coleslaw can be made ahead; serve rolls on the side for classic sandwiches. 

18 of 21

Crispy Salmon With Coconut-Ginger Collards

crispy salmon with coconut-ginger collards served with fresh cilantro
Nico Schinco

Freshen up your weeknight dinner plan with this zesty salmon bowl. Spice-rubbed salmon cooks in minutes, while a stovetop vegetable stew comes together quickly, thanks to canned chickpeas and coconut milk. 

19 of 21

Smoky Black-Bean Soup With Sausage

Smoky black bean soup with sausage recipe
Nico Schinco

How can a soup this simple, and quick be so hearty and satisfying? The answer is in the smoked andouille sausage, and a Cajun-inflected mirepoix. Serve with rice, and a pile of cooked greens or a salad to make it a meal.

20 of 21

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Egg Noodles

creamy chicken and mushrooms with egg noodles
Johnny Miller

Here's a clever way to make a bistro meal in one large pan.  The noodles don't have to be cooked separately; simmer them in the same pan you've cooked the chicken and shallots in, season with Dijon mustard, and finish the dish with a swirl of cream cheese.

21 of 21

Ginger-Peanut Turkey Stir-Fry

Ginger-Peanut Turkey Stir-Fry
Justin Walker

This savory, South-Asian inspired meal uses a smart array of pantry items. After you've tried it once, you'll think nothing of whipping it up again and again. You may choose to adapt the recipe to suit your tastes by varying the protein, using ground pork or chicken in place of the turkey, or crumbled extra-firm tofu. 

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