Home Seasons Fall
Dana MeredithUpdated: Feb. 18, 2024
Our best fall recipes showcase the homey, hearty comfort food you'll want to cozy up to this season.
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream
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These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they’re just as delicious any time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Grampa's German-Style Pot Roast
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Grampa was of German heritage and loved the old-world recipes his mother gave him. I made a few changes so I could prepare this dish in a slow cooker and give it a slightly updated flavor. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pumpkin Torte
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This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It is quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio
Stuffed Pepper Soup
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I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Chicken Potpie Galette with Cheddar-Thyme Crust
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This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced spin. The rich filling and flaky cheddar-flecked crust make it taste so homey. It's lovely for fall and winter dinners, but you can enjoy it anytime. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
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I love to serve this pumpkin hummus with sliced apples, pears and pita chips. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pumpkin oil and even fried sage leaves. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Apple Cider Pork Chops
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These apple cider pork chops are a must for fall family dinners. I serve them with buttered egg noodles to soak up more of that delicious sauce. The recipe is easy to double when company pops in. —Debiana Casterline, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
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While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this stuffed poblano peppers recipe, which is one of our favorites. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan
Cornish Pasties
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My Great-Aunt Gladys was from a small mining town in England where pasties were popular. I loved to watch her craft each Cornish pasty, as she made them in different sizes depending on who was eating. Serve with a green salad to make a wonderful meal. —Verna Hainer, Pueblo, Colorado
Merry Berry Salad
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Dried cranberries, crunchy apple chunks and toasted almonds dress up this crisp green salad. It’s drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing that’s a snap to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apple Streusel Muffins
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These apple streusel muffins remind us of coffee cake, and my husband and kids love them as a quick breakfast or snack on the run. The drizzle of glaze makes them pretty enough for company. —Dulcy Grace, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Firehouse Chili
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As one of the cooks at the firehouse, I used to prepare meals for 10 men. This firehouse chili recipe was among their favorites. —Richard Clements, San Dimas, California
Pear Tart
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My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup
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This soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri
Cauliflower au Gratin
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Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
Apple Dumpling Bake
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I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
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No one will guess this make-ahead spread has pumpkin in it, but that subtle ingredient lends harvest color and added nutrition. —Linnea Rein, Topeka, Kansas
Cornish Hens with Wild Rice and Celery
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Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They're a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
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These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Classic French Onion Soup
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Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
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An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
Cheesy Corn Spoon Bread
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Homey and comforting, this custardlike side dish is a much-requested recipe at potlucks and holiday dinners. The jalapeno adds just the right bite. Second helpings of this tasty casserole are common—leftovers aren't. —Katherine Franklin, Carbondale, Illinois
Zippy Pork Chili
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In addition to eating this chili the traditional way (with a spoon!), my family likes to scoop bites onto tortilla chips. The leftovers are delicious rolled in tortillas and warmed up. It's so comforting to have a pot simmering when cold Kansas winds are blowing. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas
Apple Cornbread Crisp
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With its hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a smart dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey
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My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup
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When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I like to make this slow-cooker split pea soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina
Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
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One evening we had unexpected company. Since I had some of these meatballs left over in the freezer, I warmed them up as appetizers. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars
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If you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glassco*ck, Conway, Arkansas
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With chicken, pasta and a bold tomato broth, this hearty and inviting soup is like a big comforting hug in a bowl! —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Greek-Style Stuffed Acorn Squash
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With a truckload of acorn squash in my pantry, I wanted to make stuffed squash in lots of different ways. A bottle of Greek seasoning got my creativity flowing. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup
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Tender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
Cranberry Pecan Pie
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I first prepared this pie at Thanksgiving to share with my co-workers. It was such a success! Now I freeze cranberries while they are in season so that I can make it year-round. —Dawn Liet Hartman, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
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Wondering how to make potato skins taste great? Both crisp and hearty, this restaurant-quality snack is one that my family requests often. —Trish Perrin, Keizer, Oregon
Easy Potato Rolls
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After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies
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These fun treats put a sweet, fluffy filling between two chewy oatmeal cookies. The old-fashioned flavor is deliciously homey—always perfect for holiday trays. —Jan Woodall, Indianapolis, Indiana
Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with Walnut Streusel
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Because my husband loves pumpkin pie, I've looked high and low for that "perfect" recipe. But as soon as he tasted this tart, he told me to stop searching, declaring this the best he's ever tried! —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri
Mallow-Topped Sweet Potatoes
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My grandmother always served this sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. The puffy marshmallow topping gives the dish a festive look, and spices enhance the sweet potato flavor. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Cheeseburger Soup
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A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. I developed my own, modifying a recipe I already had for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American dish turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
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There's more to pumpkin than pie, as this impressive trifle proves. It looks so elegant with alternating layers of gingerbread cake and pumpkin/butterscotch pudding. Try making it ahead of time for a fuss-free dessert when you're planning to entertain guests. —Lyla Lehenbauer, New London, Missouri
German Red Cabbage
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Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee
Yogurt Cornbread
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My husband doesn’t like traditional Texas corn bread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he’ll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews, Mansfield, Texas
Tennessee Peach Pudding
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This out-of-this-world dessert is one of our favorite, easy peach recipes. I was raised in Oklahoma, and we used Elberta peaches right off our trees when we made this outstanding cobbler. —Virginia Crowell, Lyons, Oregon
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
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My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Broccoli Beer Cheese Soup
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Whether you include the beer or not, this soup tastes wonderful. I always make extra and pop individual servings into the freezer. —Lori Lee, Brooksville, Florida
Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
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Acorn squash gets a sweet and savory treatment when stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries to make this pretty autumn entree. Cooking the squash in the microwave makes this quick enough for a busy weeknight. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Soup
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I love that I can top this creamy soup with anything my heart desires, which means I can eat it several days in a row without ever having to have it the same way twice. You can substitute fresh onions and celery in this recipe if you prefer, but using the dried version makes it easy to throw together on a weekday morning. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Pumpkin Pie Custard
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Instead of pumpkin pie, try this flavorful light holiday dessert. My husband’s aunt shared the recipe after she brought this treat to a family party. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Butternut Squash Chili
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Add butternut squash to chili for a tasty, filling, energy-packed dish your whole family will love. Mine does! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California
Originally Published: August 06, 2018
Dana Meredith
Dana is an editor and writer who shares her passion for travel, food and the beauty of American landscapes. When she's not wielding her red pen, she can be found tending her flower gardens, remodeling her house, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry or dancing to "Uptown Funk."