Hearty Autumn Recipes to Satisfy Your Comfort Food Cravings

Autumn is here, and the shorter days, brightly colored leaves, and cooler weather signal an abundant fall harvest. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, apples, mushrooms, and cheese are the basis of hearty favorites like pot pies, lasagna, and soups. You can also add excitement to your comfort-food repertoire with classic and new flavors like maple, miso, and chai. This is the perfect time to settle in for a delicious meal, and vegetable lovers everywhere are sure to enjoy this mix of familiar and fresh fall foods.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

A spicy cup of chai is the perfect complement to a warm slice of homemade pumpkin bread spiked with dark chocolate chips. The bread is moist, flavorful, perfectly balanced, and easy to make. Pumpkin puree is the star ingredient. Fresh orange juice and orange zest brighten the flavor, while nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon create a cozy depth. For extra richness, add pecans to the batter. You won’t be disappointed!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Who doesn’t love a soup that feels indulgent and nourishing? Flavorful, fresh broccoli cheese soup provides savory, velvety comfort on crisp fall days. Simple ingredients are blended to create a silky, thick texture that’s voluptuous without being heavy. Butter, onion, garlic, russet potatoes, and hand-grated sharp white cheddar cheese blend with broccoli stems and florets to create the perfect combination of green and creamy flavors.

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Lasagna with a hint of sweetness is the perfect fall indulgence. Butternut squash, mushrooms, kale, and cashews take the place of meat, cheese, and tomatoes to create this deep-dish delight. The squash and garlic are roasted together, then blended with cashews to create a decadent sauce. Kale and mushrooms are sauteed with onion for flavor, and each component is layered between freshly cooked lasagna noodles. Salt, thyme, or rosemary are the finishing touches to this much-loved meal.

Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash

There’s nothing like a gorgeous, rustic presentation to take a fall recipe to the next level. This roasted acorn squash is oven-roasted, then filled with a wild rice pilaf studded with apples, cranberries, mushrooms, and kale to create a hearty yet luxurious entree. For an extra-special touch, add filberts to amplify the nutty taste of the rice.

Cauliflower Cheese

A classic British cauliflower bake is a warming, dreamy wonder on a grey autumn day. Roasting the cauliflower with salt, pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil is key to creating a flavorful texture. To create the decadent Mornay sauce, Leicester and Gruyere cheeses are blended to bring out nutty, bright flavors. In a pinch, you can pair cheddar with Jarlsberg, colby, or any other melting cheese. For the perfect accent, add freshly grated nutmeg to elevate the flavor.

Soba Noodle Bowl with Peanut Tempeh and Roasted Vegetables

Umami-lovers will rejoice in this satisfying dish. Buckwheat soba noodles in sesame-garlic sauce provide the perfect base for baked chunks of tempeh flavored with peanut, lime, maple, and tamari. Tender roasted vegetables add texture and versatility. You can use anything from carrots and broccoli to eggplant, bok choi, asparagus, bell peppers, and more to complete this seductive meal.

Maple Walnut Blondies

These maple walnut blondies are buttery, chewy, and irresistible. The warm, caramelized maple brown sugar flavors and the rich scent of vanilla are tempered by toasted, slightly bitter walnuts. Top these melt-in-your-mouth bar cookies with vanilla bean ice cream and serve them with coffee or tea for a perfect autumn dessert.

Pureed Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Canned tomatoes are given new life when they are cooked and pureed with roasted red bell peppers, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Extra virgin olive oil adds richness, while cinnamon enhances the flavors and adds an unexpected sweetness to this popular soup. Garlic croutons, grated Parmesan, finely chopped fresh basil, and ground pepper make perfect toppings. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich for an easy weeknight meal.

Mushroom Pot Pie

A creamy mushroom-stuffed pot pie crowned by a buttery puff pastry makes a luxurious and savory lunch or dinner. Use your favorite mushroom variety on its own or combine the ones you like. Caramelized cremini mushrooms, shiitakes, portobellos, Add a tiny bit of truffle oil for extra oomph. A dry white wine or brandy simmered with cream, carrots, celery, and herbs makes this meal delicious and complete.

Chai Hot Chocolate

This sweet, spiced chai hot chocolate will warm you to the tips of your toes. Unsweetened soy milk makes this drink silky, but you can use any plant-based milk in this recipe. Combine dark chocolate and Dutch processed cocoa powder with hand-blended spices to make this drink extra-special. Fresh ginger, sliced cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cracked whole cloves warm up this chocolate chai infusion.

Miso Eggplant Spaghetti

This genius example of Japanese-Italian fusion combines roasted eggplants and spaghetti with olive-oil fried white miso for an umami-rich treat. Red pepper flakes add heat, while rice vinegar, red onion, mirin, grated garlic, and scallion add deep and balanced flavor.

Harira

Harira is a silky, aromatic tomato-based Moroccan soup blended with chickpeas, lentils, and fresh herbs. Ginger, cinnamon, and pepper add heat to a flavorful mix of cilantro, parsley, celery, and onion. The soup is thickened with eggs or a fermented tedouira of flour and water. Smen, a salted, fermented butter, adds an extra depth of flavor to this delectable meal-in-a-bowl.

Apple Cider Donuts

Apple cider adds a hint of tang and a whole lot of tenderness to these sugar-dipped doughnuts spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, these deep-fried treats are the sweetest end to a day at the orchard.

Were you inspired by our fall recipe ideas? Share these meals with your friends.

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