82 Fall Weeknight Dinners That Are Full of Flavor

Fall is one of our favorite times of the year. The kids are back to school and we’re settled into our routine, Halloween is right around the corner—and we can finally buy pumpkin spice everything! On top of that, the cooler temperatures mean heartier cooking (think baked pastas and savory chicken casseroles) and lots of cozy pumpkin and apple desserts—the kinds of dishes that you can’t wait to dig into. We love to give our weeknight dinners a seasonal refresh, too. Grilled cheese sandwiches with slices of crisp apple, pork chops topped with pear compote, need we go on? One of our favorite speedy dinners though, is this chicken breast smothered in a sweet-and-savory, homemade cider sauce. Sunny uses a mixture of apple cider, Vidalia onion and tart Granny smith apples to achieve the perfect balance.

Rachael Ray’s Pork Chops with Golden Apple Sauce pairs juicy pan-seared chops with a sweet and savory apple sauce made from golden delicious apples, shallots and cider. It’s a quick, comforting dish with a touch of autumn flair.

Don't watch water boil—penne gets the risotto treatment in this dish. The pasta simmers and absorbs chicken broth until tender and is finished with roasted butternut squash, sage and Parmesan.

Ina Garten’s Rigatoni with Sausage and Fennel is a hearty, flavor-packed pasta dish featuring sweet Italian sausage, caramelized fennel and onions tossed in a rich tomato cream sauce. It’s comforting, rustic and perfect for a cozy dinner.

Like classic grilled cheese, Tyler dunks his super-flavorful sandwich in a bowl of roasted tomato soup.

Butternut squash lends its silky texture to this classic dish, allowing you to cut the cream and butter with no sacrifice of flavor.

Apple cider and apples give this braised chicken dish a decidedly fall feel.

Make a new kind of pumpkin chili this fall. Tomatillo salsa gives this pot its green color and a bright, light flavor.

Ree's take on tuna noodle casserole includes a secret ingredient: dry sherry. It elevates the flavors of the classic dish, without changing all the things you love about this old-fashioned favorite.

For a hearty weeknight meal, Ree tops her creamy pasta with tender grilled steak. If you’ve already retired the grill for the winter, an indoor grill pan works just as well.

A pork chop dinner for four is a no-brainer when it's all on one sheet pan.

These cozy beef bowls are ready to eat in just 40 minutes — and that includes the marinating time!

Stuff sweet potatoes with an easy-to-make beef chili and top with sour cream, Cheddar and scallions for a family-friendly dinner that's ready in well under an hour.

Ree combines two of your favorite dishes into one! Whether you’re a lasagna lover or a fan of enchiladas, you’ll never have to choose between the two again!

The sweet and savory butternut squash noodles in this hearty chili add texture, flavor and color.

Vegetarian chili becomes a breeze when it's spread out on a sheet pan with drop biscuits.

Chili oil and fresh ginger kick up the spice in this fried rice with cashews and chicken thighs. Easy to make and ready in a flash — perfect for busy weeknights!

Anne takes fall pasta to a new level with layers of flavor. Deeply roasted pumpkin, bitter broccoli rabe and salty pancetta come together for a dish that's uber-cozy.

The ultimate in quick-fix cooking, Ree's 20-minute dinner is packed with the bold flavor of a double-duty sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar and ginger. This salty-sweet mixture not only marinates the flank steak, but also serves as the base of the cooking liquid.

For an incredibly easy weeknight dinner, toss cooked sausage with hearty pasta and broccoli rabe. Don’t forget the shaved Parmesan on top!

These are super classic and so simple to make. Use leftover rice or thawed frozen rice. For an easy variation, try shredded fontina or Gruyere cheese.

Pumpkin puree isn't just for pie. Think outside of the can and make this easy orange pasta in your food processor. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan and some toasted pumpkin seeds for an upgrade.

Pureed root veggies make for a colorful soup that's flavorful, filling and oh-so-satisfying on a chilly fall day.

Serve this simple shrimp and rice dish right from the pan. Don't be surprised when your family asks for seconds.

Forget boxed mac and cheese! This gnocchi and gruyere skillet is just as creamy and satisfying.

Warm up on a chilly fall night with this hearty, mozzarella-topped pasta dish. Italian sausage and good-for-you escarole make it a complete (and completely satisfying) meal.

Mini potato dumplings turn this pureed soup into something instantly hearty. Crispy bacon gives it an added layer of texture.

Giada's recipe is quick and simple, making it the perfect way to get dinner on the table during busy weeks.

Blend instant polenta and pumpkin puree for a base that's entirely different from the norm. Round out the dish with roasted fall vegetables and Parmesan shavings.

Sweet butternut squash complements briney, salty mussels in a curry sauce. Don't forget crusty bread for dipping!

Rachael tosses penne pasta in a sauce of creamy pumpkin and sweet sausage for a filling fall meal that's ready in just 25 minutes.

You can’t go wrong with Ree’s 16-minute pulled chicken. She roasts tomatoes peppers and onion, then blends the veggies until smooth to make a quick and delicious sauce.

You'll simmer the chicken on top of a sauce made with apples and onions for a flavor that is distinctly fall.

This quick-and-easy dinner gets its delicious flavor from 2 teaspoons of paprika. Paprika comes in a few different varieties (including sweet, hot and smoked) so feel free to try them all and see which one is your favorite!

Ree makes homemade raviolis simple by using wonton wrappers for the dough. Sauteed in brown butter, this sweet pumpkin pasta is the perfect cozy meal.

Get in the spirit of Oktoberfest with a classic schnitzel. Kids can help make the cutlets — put them in between to pieces of plastic wrap and let them pound it out.

Ree knows that nothing beats a warm, cheesy pasta on a cool fall night. That's why she tops store-bought ravioli with pesto and mozzarella before baking them in the oven until golden and bubbling.

Let this family-friendly dish cook while you're at work. When you get home, the biggest challenge will be getting everyone to the table at the same time.

Ree takes comfort food to a whole new level with her pancetta-and-butternut pasta. It's salty, subtly sweet perfectly satisfying.

Just went to the orchard? Use some of your apples (and cider!) in this easy, family-friendly meal.

This three cheese lasagna packs loads of comfort — and still includes your classic tomato and basil flavors.

Even die-hard steak-and-potato lovers will enjoy this meal. A food processor makes it easy to turn out mashed cauliflower that's just as smooth as the traditional favorite, and don't forget the mushrooms, cooked in a sweet wine sauce — they're the perfect finishing touch.

How pretty is Ree’s perfect pork? For maximum flavor, she roasts the pork with peppercorns, rosemary and thyme, then serves the dish with a creamy mustard sauce.

For a creamier pasta, this fall-inspired dish uses a blend of butternut squash and parmesan cheese.

Your pork chops will never be bland again! Stuff them with a mix of goat cheese, prunes and almonds for a delicious and flavorful meal.

Ree loads up on the veggies for an almost guilt-free pasta dish!

The natural sweetness of in-season apples is the perfect balance to smoky sausage and savory potatoes.

You'll find acorn squash popping up at the grocery store this season. Use it to make a new twist on the classic chicken enchilada.

Ina's weeknight bolognese is the perfect hearty sauce for pasta night during the week.

Lager-style beer makes a light steak sauce with plenty of flavor. Sweet potato fries add festive fall color to your plate and the perfect finishing touch.

Lighten up pasta night without skimping on flavor. Roasted spaghetti squash takes on the creamy flavor of rich alfredo, salty pancetta and bright peas.

Cranberries add a subtle tang to a fruity slaw that complements sweet pork chops.

Chili is normally set aside for weekend cooking, but this white chicken chili comes together in just about 45 minutes. Valerie poaches chicken for the chili, which is a quick way to add flavor to store-bought stock, but you can cut off some prep time and start out with shredded rotisserie chicken.

Geoffrey Zakarian adds crunch to his soup with a unique ingredient — popcorn!

Once you unlock the secret of cooking frozen chicken in an Instant Pot®, the possibilities for variations become endless. This creamy lemon chicken with orzo is worthy of a dinner with friends, though it is so easy, you'll make it a regular on your weeknight rotation. Make sure you follow the directions for a 10-minute natural release; a quick release left us with dry and stringy meat.

As Marc says, “Anyone can make carbonara.” Combine whole eggs with pepper and Parmesan, then mix it with hot pasta until the eggs are cooked and form a rich, creamy sauce.

Serve Rachael’s recipe with white rice for a filling dinner that’s ready in a snap.

There’s a lot to love about this quick and easy dinner. Layer the chicken and gnocchi on top of cooked zucchini to sneak some extra veggies in if you have picky eaters at home.

Warming ingredients, like honey, ginger and ras el hanout (Moroccan seasoning), pack this chicken dinner with cozy fall flavors.

Why fuss with making a traditional pot pie? You can finish this easy stove-top version in half the time. Topping the finished filling with golden, buttery pieces of puff pastry is a delicious, fast and pretty finish to this bowl of comfort.

Easy and kid-friendly, Giada says this is one of her go-to dinner recipes. Plus, it’s ready to eat in just 15 minutes!

Cook salmon, peppers and potatoes all on the same pan for an easy dinner that’s light on clean-up.