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Oct 18, 2024

12 Comforting Fall Entrée Ideas to Savor This Season

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As the air turns crisp, I find myself craving hearty, comforting recipes that showcase the best of the season’s harvest. Fall brings an abundance of rich ingredients that can turn everyday meals into something truly special—think butternut squash, pumpkin, apples, leafy greens and Brussels sprouts.

I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite soul-warming fall entrée ideas that celebrate the flavors of autumn. From creamy butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter to flavorful maple mustard salmon and velvety pumpkin risotto, these dishes will fill your kitchen with mouth-watering aromas and warm your heart with every bite. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or enjoying a quiet evening in, these entrées are sure to become your go-to fall dinner favorites!

12 Comforting Fall Entrée Ideas to Savor This Season

Quick & Easy

Maple Mustard Salmon

This maple mustard salmon pairs wonderfully with some Brussels sprouts. Simple roast them with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper for an easy weeknight meal.

Cooking with Cocktail Rings Blogger Kylie Mazon-Chambers Fall Entrée Ideas shares Fall Entrée Ideas: Fall Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Brown Butter, Pancetta and Sage

Fall Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Brown Butter, Pancetta and Sage

If fall were a meal, this would be on repeat! Tender gnocchi, roasted butternut squash, crispy pancetta, and rich brown butter all coming together in one bite. It’s the perfect balance of cozy and indulgent, with sage adding the final crispy touch.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This dish may not scream “seasonal,” but let’s be real-Hamburger Helper is a comfort classic no matter the time of year! There’s something about making this easy, family-favorite dinner as soon as the weather starts to cool that just feels right

Cooking with Cocktail Rings Blogger Kylie Mazon-Chambers Fall Entrée Ideas shares Fall Entrée Ideas: Honey Soy Pork Chops with Squash and Shishitos

Honey Soy Pork Chops with Squash and Shishitos

Using thinly sliced bone-in pork chops cuts down on cook time. They are marinated in a savory honey-soy sauce, then pan-seared to perfection. Serve with tender, sweet miso-roasted kabocha squash and blistered shishito peppers. This recipe creates a light yet satisfying fall entrée full of rich, balanced flavors.

Linger in the Kitchen

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Gorgonzola

Roasted pumpkin, onions, diced tomatoes, honey, and a hint of nutmeg come together to create a creamy, fall-inspired pasta sauce. The addition of Gorgonzola, a tangy blue cheese, adds a salty bite. It perfectly balances the sweetness of the pumpkin, making this unexpected dish a cozy, flavorful seasonal favorite.

Cooking with Cocktail Rings Blogger Kylie Mazon-Chambers Fall Entrée Ideas shares Fall Entrée Ideas: Creamy Ricotta Polenta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Leeks

Creamy Ricotta Polenta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Leeks

This creamy polenta has a bit of ricotta mixed in and while I top it with a soft-boiled egg you can easily substitute your favorite roast chicken or meat.

Pumpkin Risotto with Brown Butter and Bacon

This savory pumpkin risotto, topped with crispy bacon, brown butter, and sage leaves balances the sweet and nutty flavors of the risotto with the rich, salty notes of the bacon. While this can be served as a seasonal side I also enjoy it as an entrée.

Ground Turkey & Brown Butter Sage Stuffed Pumpkins

Small pumpkins are first roasted to become bowls in this all-in-one recipe. I fill them with a mix of Gruyère cheese, stuffing and ground turkey for a savory bread pudding.

Moroccan Vegetable Stew

This Moroccan-inspired vegetable stew is perfect for beating the chill. Packed with vibrant peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, lentils, and chickpeas, it creates a hearty and comforting meal that warms you up from the inside out! I recommend prepping your ingredients ahead of time. This one requires minimal prep time, but a bit longer to simmer and come together on the stove.

Worth the Effort

Maple Bourbon Braised Short Ribs

I absolutely love a braise and while it takes a long time in the oven, it’s very hands off and worth it for the incredible tender texture of the meat. I love the natural sweetness and slight nutty flavor the maple syrup adds to this fall recipe while bourbon deepens the flavor profile.

Butternut Squash Ravioli in Brown Butter

This homemade pasta dish features a classic fall pairing of roasted butternut squash purée and creamy ricotta cheese, stuffed into tender ravioli. Served in a rich, nutty brown butter sauce, it’s a comforting and elegant way to embrace the flavors of the season. For a shortcut you can simply buy pre-made squash ravioli and serve with my brown butter sage sauce.

Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks

Lamb shanks are braised in a red wine based broth. They are cooked until they can be easily shredded with a fork seasoned with warming flavors of cinnamon sticks and thyme. The meat is paired with a combination of onions, carrots, celery and chunks of butternut squash for a complete and filling meal.

If you make one of these fall entrée ideas and enjoy the recipe – I’d love to hear from you! Tag me on Instagram (@cookingwithcocktailrings) to be featured on my story.