If you’re looking for easy fall dinners, we’ve got you covered with a few healthy options. During the fall season we try to take advantage of the seasonal produce from brussel sprouts to sweet potato to acorn squash, creating amazing fall meals.
In this list, we have a mix of lighter fall dinner ideas like salads filled with roasted vegetables to more comforting dishes like a chicken pot pie soup that makes for great leftovers.
Whether you’re heading to the office or need to whip up a quick weeknight fall dinner, bookmark this list so you can come back to it for healthy fall dinner recipes to make next.
1. Fall Harvest Salad
Fall salads are a staple to throw together on Sunday nights before a long week ahead. This one is filled with a variety of textures from fresh fruit like pomegranate and Honeycrisp apples to roasted vegetables like butternut squash and beets.
For a hearty base, you’ll want to use either mixed greens or kale. If you make this salad ahead of time, it will store for 2-3 days and the dressing can last a week in an airtight container or mason jar for easy storage. We love meal prepping for the busy weeknights ahead!
2. Spinach and Goat Cheese Pasta
No fall season is complete without a pasta dish you can throw together in 30 minutes or less. This Spinach and Goat Cheese Pasta comes together with a bit of garlic and parmesan cheese and the sauce is simply just lemon juice and goat cheese.
Easy fall dinners like this one can be made vegetarian, but if you’re looking to pack it with some protein, we recommend adding two Italian Style Beef Chomps thinly sliced and scattered throughout the pasta.
3. Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
If you’re in the midwest or east coast you know how cold winter can get so having easy soup on hand to warm you up is crucial. We love making this healthy chicken pot pie soup as it can be made in an instant pot for easy clean up, is packed with veggies and also just happens to be Whole30 approved. No dairy is involved in this chicken pot pie which makes it a great fall dinner idea for those with dairy allergies.
4. Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites
At least a few nights a week we crave some sort of pizza using our flavorful beef jerky sticks. However, since we still want to keep things on the healthier side we love making these mini zucchini pizza bites as a low-carb fall dinner recipes option.
They come together in less than 15 minutes so when you’re rushing in between meetings but want something satisfying for lunch or dinner, try making these. These are also great healthy fall snacks for munching between meals.
5. Whole30 Compliant Loaded Baked Potato
A baked potato is the ultimate comfort food when the temperatures start to get a bit cooler in the fall. This Whole30 compliant loaded baked potato option will be a hit for your next Sunday game day without weighing anyone down. The “cheese sauce” here is completely dairy-free thanks to a homemade cashew cream and then it’s topped off with broccoli and Original Turkey Chomps instead of bacon.
6. Blood Orange and Beet Salad
Another salad that we crave in the fall that is both refreshing and satisfying is this Blood Orange and Beet Salad. If you don’t have blood oranges on hand, feel free to use regular navel oranges. The dressing is a combination of champagne vinegar, olive oil and grapefruit juice for an extra tang that really will brighten your day once you try it. This salad is one of our go-to easy fall dinners for a lighter meal.
7. Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
We all have heard of stuffed peppers but have you ever tried stuffed acorn squash? In the fall, we love using up any and every kind of squash from delicata to butternut to acorn. Since they are root vegetables, they provide a deep sweetness to them that pairs well with salty meats - especially sausage. If your fall dinner ideas involve pairing fruit and meat together, this sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash is for you.
8. Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Okay we know what you’re thinking, this is definitely not a dinner. However, some fall dinner recipes, like this orange spiced cranberry sauce make the perfect side dish for any fall dinner, specifically Thanksgiving leftovers with a side of mashed potatoes.
9. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Another side dish we love to make before serving a healthy fall dinner is this spinach artichoke dip. When you serve it piping out of the oven in a cast iron skillet, it is the perfect quick and easy appetizer for any large gathering or party. Your friends and family are guaranteed to love this fall appetizer.
10. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili
The one thing about fall we love the most is making soups and chilis and if you haven’t tried this one, you’re missing out. Chili could not be easier to make because no matter what ingredients you end up swapping or adding in, it always turns out delicious. This healthy turkey chili recipe is packed with ground turkey for protein, kidney beans, tomatoes and chicken broth and makes for at least 3 days worth of leftovers. We love pairing this fall dinner with cornbread or gluten-free crackers.
11. Healthy Baked Ziti
When you’re craving an Italian night out but want to stay in, whip up this healthy baked ziti for your next weeknight dinner. This recipe comes together in under an hour and would be great for a large family dinner as it makes 8 servings. It’s one of our favorite fall dinner recipes for feeding a crowd! Try using brown rice pasta instead of whole wheat flour to make this dish entirely gluten-free.
12. Healthy Orange Chicken
For the nights you want takeout but have all of the ingredients to make a better version at home, this one’s for you. This healthy orange chicken comes together with a few ingredients like coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder and orange zest and once you’re done cooking the chicken, you can serve it over rice or cauliflower rice. We love topping this dish with green onions, sesame seeds and cashews for some crunch and added flavor, making it one of our favorite fall dinner ideas when that Chinese takeout craving hits.
13. Thanksgiving Day Cheese Board
While this cheese board was made specifically for Thanksgiving as an appetizer, who says you can’t have a full charcuterie board for a fall dinner? We love combining our favorite crackers, cheeses and of course Chomps Original Beef sticks onto this board so you can get a little bit of everything. This is a great way to incorporate Chomps into your holiday festivities and share them with friends and family.
14. Crockpot Apple Cider Pork Bowls
Slow cookers provide some of the best fall dinner ideas. This dish perfectly captures the flavors of the season with apple cider-braised pork served over mashed sweet potatoes and an apple slaw. Plus, the large yield ensures you'll have plenty of high-protein leftovers for meal prep. Get the recipe here!
15. Ground Beef Stroganoff
For a quick, classic comfort food, this is one of our favorite fall dinner recipes. Ready in just 30 minutes, this satisfying and easy fall dinner is associated with the changing of seasons from summer to fall. The rich sauce and tender beef make this a superb meal the whole family will love. Check out this recipe and get ready to cozy up for a perfect weeknight meal.
16. Shepherd’s Pie With Garlic Mashed Potatoes
You can't beat rustic, cozy, and easy fall dinners like shepherd’s pie. This recipe features a savory filling topped with creamy garlic mashed potatoes. It's a satisfying comfort food that includes plenty of protein and veggies in every cozy serving.
17. Oven-Baked Pork Chops With Delicata Squash
This single-sheet pan meal is a healthy, flavorful fall dinner idea that makes cleanup a breeze. Juicy pork chops are seasoned with a simple rub and roasted alongside sweet delicata squash and smoky poblano peppers. Roasting the delicate squash seeds even gives you a delicious, nutty garnish. It’s a great fall dinner recipe that takes advantage of seasonal produce. Find the recipe here.
18. Homemade Meatballs Marinara
This versatile dish is another great fall dinner. You can serve the meatballs over spaghetti, in a sub, or even with a fresh salad for a lighter option. For an extra layer of flavor and protein, try using finely chopped Chomps Beef sticks in your meat mixture!
Get the recipe for Homemade Meatballs Marinara
19. 30-Minute Chana Masala
Need a quick, meatless weeknight option? Check out this 30-Minute Chana Masala recipe. It’s one of the best easy fall dinners for when you're craving flavor but are short on time. The vibrant, hearty, and aromatic Indian-spiced chickpea stew is a perfect fall dinner recipe for a cozy night in.
20. Red Beans and Rice
This one-pot recipe is the ultimate serving of cozy food, providing a stick-to-your-ribs fall dinner that is perfect for eating all week long. This dish gets better with time and is an excellent fall dinner idea for busy weekends when you want to set it and forget it. Get the recipe for Red Beans and Rice.
Simplifying Your Fall Dinner Recipes and Meal Prep
A cozy fall day isn’t complete without a comforting and healthy dish! Whether you crave a warm soup, a hearty sheet pan meal, or a classic pasta dish, our goal is to bring you delicious fall dinner recipes that keep your family happy and full.
These fall dinner ideas are proof that you don't have to sacrifice health for flavor when preparing fall meals. From quick weeknight fixes to big-batch recipes perfect for meal prepping, these easy fall dinners make it simple to get a satisfying meal on the table.
Finding the best fall meal ideas means taking advantage of seasonal produce and utilizing easy cooking methods like sheet pans and slow cookers. With so many diverse and easy fall dinners, your menu planning just got a whole lot easier.
Check out Chomp’s recipes to inspire your next creations.
