23 Easy Fall Dinners for Busy Weeknights
Everything here is cozy and prepped in about 30 minutes.
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When the fall season hits, there always seems to be a flurry of activity. You're back at work, the kids are back in school, and somehow you're still supposed to get dinner on the table each night between all the activities and appointments. Luckily, there are plenty of back-to-school dinner ideas that will satisfy everyone in the family. And if you're looking for an easy selection of fall weeknight dinners, you've come to the right place.
While you'll certainly find plenty of 30-minute meals and one-pot meals that save time on prep and cleanup, you'll also find plenty of those fall harvest flavors are calling your name like savory pumpkin recipes, butternut squash recipes, and sweet potato recipes just to name a few. Everything here can be prepped or made in under a half hour, plus the ingredients are either seasonal or store-bought so you're not running around the store trying to find something.
And because it's the start of cozy season, you'll find warm fall recipes that will fill tummies and comfort souls at the same time. There are a few easy fall soup recipes, fall casseroles you can assemble in advance, and slow cooker ideas that you can just set and forget until it's ready to eat. So, no matter how busy those calendars are this season, now you'll have at least 23 great ideas to come back to again and again. Easy dinner recipes for the win!
Chili Mac and Cheese
You don't have to choose between chili and mac and cheese with this one-skillet meal! You also don't have to boil the pasta separately so cleanup is so much faster.
Get Ree's Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki
Skip the takeout and make a healthier version of this restaurant-worthy dish right at home. You can even make the teriyaki marinade and you'll still have it on the table in 30 minutes.
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
Pierogi and Kielbasa Sheet Pan Dinner
Ten minutes of prep is all you need, because you throw everything on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work for you. Smoky sausage, tender cabbage and onions, and creamy pierogi, coming right up!
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Don't be shy about buying butternut squash that's already been cut up for you at the store. It saves so much time and helps you get this creamy, cozy pasta on the table in a fraction of the time.
Get the Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta recipe.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are a classic! If you let your slow cooker do most of the heavy lifting, you only need 20 minutes of active prep time. The low and slow cook method helps develop the sauce's flavor.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Get a taste of tailgating on any given weeknight! Feel free to add more of the sauce if you're into spice, but don't skip the blue cheese and celery toppings—they tie the dish together!
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe.
7-Can Soup
This dump-and-stir soup is as easy as can be. Just head into your pantry and grab a bunch of canned beans, plus some creamy Velveeta for good measure.
Get Ree's 7-Can Soup recipe.
Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon
Apples aren't just for dessert! Cider helps make a sweet and savory glaze for roasted salmon that pairs perfectly with steamed potatoes and green beans.
Get Ree's Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon recipe.
Pizza Bagels
You don't have to order pizza when you can make your own bagel version at home. Plus, everyone can customize their own toppings so they'll be no arguing either.
Get the Pizza Bagels recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos
Taco Tuesday just got super tasty! An Instant Pot will make the chicken super tender and frees up your time to make the flavorful slaw to add on top.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos recipe.
Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin season is also the start of chili season! It adds creaminess, seasonal flavor, and lots of vitamins. Plus, it only takes 25 minutes from start to finish if you use canned puree.
Get the Pumpkin Chili recipe.
Chicken Spaghetti
This is a Drummond family favorite! It has chicken, cheese, pasta, and even sneaks in a few vegetables. You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time and assemble it in advance.
Get Ree's Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Chicken and Veggie Fall Skillet
Smoky spices really amp up the flavor of chicken thighs, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. A drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds add a sweet contrast.
Get Ree's Chicken and Veggie Fall Skillet recipe.
Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs
Savory pork really benefits from the sweet-tart flavor of apple. Serve these easy meatballs on a bed of creamy mashed sweet potatoes for a cozy taste of fall.
Get Ree's Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
A jar of store-bought marinara and your handy air fryer are the two hacks you'll need to make chicken parm on a weeknight. Seriously, it'll all be done in a half hour!
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Hamburger Soup
Quick, cozy meal ahead! This soup is loaded with ground beef, potatoes, and lots of veggies for a soul-nourishing supper. Plus, it's one of those recipes to use up what you have in the fridge.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Orecchiette with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage
You can use either sweet or hot Italian sausage for this dish―or a mixture of both! Either way, it'll be balanced by the savory kale and sweet butternut squash.
Get Ree's Orecchiette with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage recipe.
Pepper Steak
Yes, you can have another takeout classic and cure your craving for steak at the same time. The sweet and savory sauce is healthier when you make it at home, too!
Get Ree's Pepper Steak recipe.
Oven Baked Pork Chops
Per Ree, this is one of the "easiest and most delicious ways to prepare pork chops." They're coated in a tangy BBQ glaze and baked in the oven for a mostly hands-off dinner.
Get Ree's Oven Baked Pork Chops recipe.
Hamburger Casserole
Saucy, beefy, cheesy, pasta: If every single one of those words is a "yes" for dinner, then make this dish. You can assemble it the day before and just add the crispy onions when you go to bake.
Get Ree's Hamburger Casserole recipe.
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