Cozy autumn dinners that are straightforward, warm, and absolutely manageable for hectic weeknights. Soups, curries, casseroles, and beyond!
Autumn seems to be the most wonderful yet busiest season! It’s the back-to-school phase, the start of evening events, and a myriad of new routines. It feels overwhelming, and yet, dinner still has to be prepared!?
These dishes are the lifesavers for busy weeknights that I rely on when things get a bit hectic: warm, uncomplicated, and quite achievable meals that require little but offer great satisfaction.
Here are the effortless autumn dinners I keep making repeatedly!
Effortless Autumn Dinner Recipes
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Instant Pot Spicy Short Rib Noodle Soup
Short ribs cooked in an Instant Pot or slow cooker, served in bowls with tender noodles and a rich broth! It’s one of my ultimate go-to cold-weather favorites.
Ricotta Meatballs with a Crispy Topping
One of the site’s most embraced weeknight dishes! Homemade ricotta meatballs topped with a crunchy layer. Pair with garlic bread or pasta!
Chicken with Coconut Kale
An indulgent yet incredibly simple one-pan dish loaded with protein! I love serving this over a mound of warm rice.
Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup
A wonderfully simple, delicious, and comforting soup! Herb-infused Italian sausage, kale, smoky paprika, creamy beans and potatoes, plus a touch of cream.
Steph’s Chickpea Curry with Spinach and Rice
Incredibly creamy, flavorful chickpea curry served on rice with a dollop of chili crisp and a side of cucumber salad. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Red Pepper Cashew Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower
A three-ingredient red pepper cashew sauce, crispy roasted cauliflower, and heaps of noodles. Filling and utterly delicious!
Butter Chicken Meatballs
Store-bought (or homemade) chicken meatballs smothered in a rich and lightly spiced tomato gravy enhanced with butter and cream. A family favorite!
Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos
Where egg rolls meet tacos! I adore this! Easy to prepare and ridiculously tasty with classic egg roll filling, crunchy vegetables, soft tortillas, and a zesty gochujang sauce.
Shortcut Sesame Butter Noodles
A personal favorite! Quick-cook noodles, creamy butter, sweet honey, and depth from sesame oil. Simply delightful strands!
Chicken Wontons in Spicy Chili Sauce
Bold, beautiful, and powerful flavors! Shiitake mushrooms and chicken wontons nestled in a flavorful broth and finished with a swirl of sesame oil and chili crisp on top.
The Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup
This is a classic that has been prepared countless times by so many of you! Lentils, squash, kale, and a variety of nourishing ingredients. Made in the crockpot for minimal effort!
Gnocchi with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Tasty, fluffy gnocchi in a smooth, creamy sauce infused with thyme and dotted with golden, garlic butter-cooked mushrooms! This is the essence of fall!
Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew
Only six ingredients, 45 minutes, SO SIMPLE. The ultimate comforting dish that is hearty, satisfying, and incredibly easy to whip up.
Chipotle Tahini Bowls
The chipotle tahini featured here is among my top ten sauces ever. It’s perfectly smoky, luxuriously creamy, and an excellent spicy complement to roasted sweet potatoes.
Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Another beloved crockpot option for fall soups! Let it simmer all day with chicken to create a rich soup base, then add gnocchi for creaminess and carbs just before serving. Adore this one!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
A straightforward, super tasty chicken tortilla soup! I could enjoy this every week, and it’s perfect for leftovers at lunch.
Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach
This dish is exceptionally cheesy, warm, and comforting and truly shines when baked up in a skillet. Pair it with bread and a salad!
Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup
This is, without a doubt, the finest wild rice soup (and being a Minnesotan, I can assure you!). You can even incorporate chicken if you wish, or keep it vegetarian with just mushrooms. No autumn is complete without this!
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
This soup brims with a vast array of vegetables! Loaded with cannellini beans and cheese, it strikes the ideal balance of nourishing and comforting while being hearty. All made in one pot!
Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale
One of the most popular soups featured on the site! There’s something enchantingly delightful about the combination of sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and peanut butter that comes together to create a wonderfully creamy (vegan!) bowl of goodness.
Red Curry Chicken Stir Fry with Spicy Cashew Sauce
Caramelized red curry chicken paired with fluffy rice and steamed broccoli, then elevated with the BEST spicy cashew sauce. Oh my, this is beyond amazing.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
A five-ingredient stacked enchilada casserole made with layers of tortillas, beans, and chicken, topped with cheese and enchilada sauce. Simple, straightforward, filling, and absolutely delicious.
Little Tips That Simplify Autumn Cooking
I have several trusty tips and tools that help streamline dinner prep during the week. Here’s what I suggest you look into! (Note: Some links below are affiliate links!)
- Air Fryer: This is part of my routine multiple times each week, if not daily. My favorite recipe is the Air Fryer Chicken – it’s the most delicious chicken I’ve ever cooked, ready for a dinner plate in under 15 minutes.
- Instant Pot: Ideal for soups and a variety of other dishes!
- Slow Cooker: The original solution for effortless dinner-making. Many of the recipes above utilize it, along with numerous others for enjoyment! Plus, it fills your home with delightful scents on chilly evenings after school or work.
- Freezer Meals: This collection of freezer meals is a lifesaver. You prep up to 22 meals, freeze them, and easily pull them out to get dinner on the table quickly and conveniently (hands-free!).
Wishing you a joyful fall season! Here’s to making weeknight cooking simpler!
**22 Simple and Quick Dinner Recipes for Busy Autumn Evenings**
As the foliage changes and the days shorten, fall offers a warm ambiance and a desire for substantial meals. Unfortunately, hectic schedules often leave scant time for complex cooking. Here are 22 simple and quick dinner recipes ideal for those hectic autumn nights.
1. **One-Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner**: Cook chicken thighs with sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples on one sheet pan for a complete meal.
2. **Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta**: Mix canned pumpkin with cream, Parmesan, and garlic for a rich sauce over fettuccine.
3. **Butternut Squash Soup**: Blend roasted butternut squash with onions, garlic, and vegetable broth for a soothing soup.
4. **Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops**: Sear pork chops then finish with a glaze made from apple cider, Dijon mustard, and thyme.
5. **Mushroom Risotto**: Prepare creamy risotto using arborio rice, mushrooms, and chicken broth, topped with Parmesan.
6. **Spaghetti Aglio e Olio**: A straightforward pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, garnished with parsley.
7. **Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry**: Quickly cook beef strips with broccoli in a mixture of soy sauce and ginger.
8. **Chili Con Carne**: A swift recipe utilizing ground beef, canned beans, tomatoes, and chili powder.
9. **Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables**: Roast sausages with bell peppers, onions, and potatoes for an uncomplicated meal.
10. **Chicken and Rice Casserole**: Combine cooked chicken, rice, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese; then bake.
11. **Shrimp Tacos**: Sauté shrimp with lime and garlic, serve in tortillas with cabbage slaw.
12. **Zucchini and Corn Fritters**: Blend grated zucchini and corn with flour and eggs, then pan-fry.
13. **Lentil Stew**: Cook lentils with carrots, celery, and tomatoes for a hearty vegetarian option.
14. **Caprese Stuffed Chicken**: Fill chicken breasts with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, then bake.
15. **Quick Beef Stroganoff**: Cook beef strips with mushrooms and onions, then finish with sour cream.
16. **Vegetable Quesadillas**: Stuff tortillas with cheese, beans, and assorted veggies, then grill.
17. **Thai Red Curry with Tofu**: Simmer tofu with red curry paste, coconut milk, and vegetables.
18. **Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells**: Fill pasta shells with ricotta and spinach, cover with marinara, and bake.
19. **Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze**: Bake salmon fillets with a blend of maple syrup and mustard.
20. **Chicken Tortilla Soup**: A quick soup featuring shredded chicken, corn, beans, and tortilla strips.
21. **Pasta Primavera**: Toss pasta with a medley of sautéed vegetables and olive oil.
22. **Baked Potato Bar**: Bake potatoes and provide toppings such as cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives.
These recipes aim to be both delightful and efficient, guaranteeing you can savor a warm, satisfying meal without spending excessive time in the kitchen. Whether you desire something savory or sweet, these dishes are certain to provide comfort and delight on your autumn evenings.