Our 15 Most Popular Fall Recipes, Including Apple Desserts, Comforting Stews, and Much More

These are the recipes everyone wants to make when the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to fall.

apple cider donut cake
Photo: Jonathan Lovekin

After a summer of salads and grilling, we welcome the shift to autumn cooking, with its warm flavors and seasonal ingredients. Each recipe in this collection is among the most popular among our readers. And you'll find more than just dinner here—there are also sweet treats that speak to the season.

01 of 15

Split Pea Soup with Ham

Split-Pea Soup with Ham
David Loftus

Hearty split pea soup makes a wonderful lunch or dinner, and if you haven't made it in a while, it's definitely worth revisiting. This recipe has you purée only half the soup, which leaves the texture still a bit chunky. Definitely do not skip the homemade croutons.

02 of 15

Beef Stew

beef stew with vegetables
Julia Hartbeck

Stew weather is officially here. Whether you make it in the oven or in a slow cooker, this version of the classic beef stew is wonderfully rich and aromatic, with tomato paste and a few spoonfuls of balsamic vinegar for depth of flavor.

03 of 15

Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake

apple cider donut cake
Jonathan Lovekin

This Bundt cake is basically a giant, cakey apple-cider doughnut made with olive oil and applesauce, which helps keep it moist.

04 of 15

Everyday Vegetable Soup

Big Batch Vegetable Soup
Con Poulos

Cool weather calls for warm soup, and here's one you can keep in your back pocket for whenever the mood strikes. Endlessly adaptable, it calls for any combination of mixed fresh or frozen vegetables, such as carrots, corn, green beans, lima beans, peas, potatoes, or zucchini.

05 of 15

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

pork chops with apples and onions
Jeff Sowder

Sautéed apples and onions offer a sweet counterpoint to savory pork chops in this easy one-pan recipe.

06 of 15

Basic Chicken Soup

basic chicken soup
Diana Chistruga

There's a lot to love about this chicken soup recipe: It has classic flavors, it cooks more quickly than traditional chicken soups (the dish is ready in a little over an hour), and you don't need to make a separate stock, since the vegetables and meat create their own satisfying broth.

07 of 15

Apple Crisp

apple crisp on pink table
Julia Hartbeck

One of the definitive desserts of fall, apple crisp is easy and economical. Our test kitchen says empire, gala, or braeburn apples are especially good in this simple recipe.

08 of 15

Jimmy Fallon's Crock-Pot Chili

jimmy fallon crock pot chilli

When it comes to game-day foods, you can't go wrong with a pot of chili. This one from none other than Jimmy Fallon, includes ground beef, kidney beans, and a bottle of amber beer.

09 of 15

Acorn Squash Lasagna

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Puréed acorn squash and ricotta cheese make a rich, creamy filling in this tasty alternative to traditional lasagna.

10 of 15

Apple-Pie Cake

apple pie cake
Sonia Bozzo

A cross between pie and a fruit crisp, this delicious dessert is made with just six common ingredients.

11 of 15

Braised Red Cabbage with Apple and Onion

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This colorful side goes well with roasted pork or turkey, and for the braising liquid you can use beer, white wine, apple cider, or chicken broth.

12 of 15

Butternut Squash Soup

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David Malosh

Here's a creamy and satisfying butternut squash soup that epitomizes the season. Crisp bacon adds a lovely garnish.

13 of 15

Wilted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Warm Apple-Cider Dressing

Wilted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Warm Apple-Cider Dressing

The sweetness and gentle acidity of a warm apple-cider dressing brightens this Brussels sprouts salad.

14 of 15

Pumpkin Cheesecake

pumpkin cheesecake
Mikkel Vang

Once a novelty and now a classic, pumpkin cheesecake is a terrific ending to any fall meal. You can make it a day or two ahead of time, too, so it's great for entertaining.

15 of 15

Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Herbs

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In this vegetarian main, roasted spaghetti squash gets a pesto-like treatment with Parmesan cheese, parsley, cilantro, and toasted and chopped hazelnuts.

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