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40 Fall Entertaining Recipes the Whole Table Will Love

Updated on August 21, 2026

Hosting parties and get-togethers with these hearty recipes is just what you need as the days get chillier.

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Our Favorite Recipes for Fall Entertaining

There are plenty of reasons to gather around the table for a warm meal as the weather cools and the leaves begin to change. No matter what brings you together this fall, there’s a recipe for the occasion. Whether it’s a game-day dish destined to be the MVP of your tailgate, crowd-pleasing potluck recipes you can whip up in a breeze or a cozy meal with seasonal ingredients for a dinner party, you’ll find everything you need to inspire your next fall gathering right here. We've got pasta dishes with butternut squash, creamy soups that are packed with pumpkin, pork chops topped with pear chutney — and so much more.

One of our favorites when we're entertaining? Ina's easy take on a traditional French beef stew. Instead of cooking it on top of the stove as most beef bourguignon is, and fiddling with the temperature, she cooks it at a constant temperature in the the oven for a perfect result, every time.

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Garlic Roasted Chicken

Fall marks the beginning of roasting season, and it’s one of the best ways to maximize flavor while keeping poultry tender and juicy. Inspired by the famous chicken dish at San Francisco institution Zuni Café, this fragrant garlic-and-rosemary-infused chicken is served over slices of sourdough bread that soak up every last drop of the savory pan juices and tangy vinegar sauce.

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Hearty Sirloin Chili

This ultra-meaty chili takes it to the next level by using sirloin in place of your typical ground beef. It gets infused with southwestern flavor from jalapeno peppers and chili powder before getting topped with sour cream, cheddar and green onion. Best of all, it comes together with just 15 minutes' prep time.

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Orecchiette with Pancetta, Pumpkin and Broccoli Rabe

One look at this pumpkin-strewn pasta will put you in a fall state of mind. Sweet roasted pumpkin gets balenced with crispy pancetta, parmigiana and a pinch of red pepper flakes, while orecchiette catches all those flavors in its little cup-shaped centers. Toasted pumpkin seeds add one final layer of crunch.

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Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Ina's riff on grilled cheese comes stacked with more than cheese. She slathers each slice of bread with a blend of mayo, Dijon mustard and Parmesan, then tops it with thick-cut bacon, aged Gruyère and extra-sharp cheddar before pressing to melted, gooey perfection.
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Asian Pork with Noodles

Let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting for this tender garlic-and-ginger pork. Soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, star anise and cinnamon create a broth that is savory, subtly sweet and deeply aromatic. Serve the pork with soba noodles and add water chestnuts, chiles, scallions and cilantro for plenty of freshness and crunch.

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Pumpkin-Popcorn Soup

This silky pumpkin soup has a surprise hiding inside: two cups of popcorn blended right into the base. Curry powder, ginger and lime keep the creamy soup bright and fragrant, while a final sprinkle of popcorn adds a playful crunch. It’s cozy, unexpected and guaranteed to get guests talking.

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Pork Medallions

Trisha's Asian-inspired pork dish is made with teriyaki sauce, apple cider vinegar, ginger sauce and orange juice. Cover pork tenderloins in the sauce and let them marinate for up to 24 hours before searing them.
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Shortcut Slow-Cooker Apple Cider

Homemade apple cider doesn’t get much easier than this. Toss whole wedges of tart and sweet apples into the slow cooker with cinnamon sticks, cloves and water, then let everything simmer while your kitchen fills with the coziest aroma. Mash and strain the fruit before sweetening the cider to your taste.

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Butternut Squash Hummus

This autumnal hummus starts with cinnamon-spiced butternut squash roasted until tender. Chickpeas, tahini, Greek yogurt and lemon keep it creamy and tangy, while a touch of Sriracha brings just enough heat. Finish it with a drizzle of maple syrup for the ultimate fall party dip.

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Sweet and Spicy Short Rib Tacos

Caramelize and sear your short ribs before adding them to your slow cooker. Top them with a sweet and sour sauce of ancho chiles and brown sugar, then let them cook until they're super tender. Fill warm tortillas with the shredded meat and top with Mexican crema.
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Pork Meatballs

For Alex's mouthwatering meatballs, treat them like hamburgers and cook until medium-rare. They should still be tender when they're added to your favorite tomato sauce.
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Hasselback Pork Schnitzel

Give pork loins the Hasselback treatment and you'll forget all about potatoes. Thanks to panko in every nook and cranny, every bite features the crunch you crave.

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Penne with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese

Giada pours penne directly over goat cheese to turn the tangy cheese into a cream sauce. The heat of the pasta will melt the goat cheese and a little bit of pasta water will thin out the sauce as much as you like it. Toasted walnuts add crunch to balance the soft roasted squash that's tossed in. 
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Lamb Pizzas

Put a spin on pizza night with these Middle-Eastern style pizzas that are made right on the grill. Cool down the spicy topping with a minty yogurt sauce. 
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Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

This Mexican classic is fit for it for any dinner occasion. Charring the serrano chiles before adding them to the sauce will impart a smoky flavor to the overall dish.
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Chicken Fried Pork Chops with Chunky Pear Chutney

Sunny Anderson's fried pork chops are simple and economical. Serve them with her homemade chunky pear chutney.
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Tequila Cocktails

Tequila takes on a warm amber hue and more autumnal personality in this simple cocktail. Sweet vermouth and honey soften its edges, while lemon juice and bitters keep each sip bright and balanced. Shake up two drinks in just 10 minutes and let the gathering begin.

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Sunday Supper Stuffed Pork Chops

This hearty supper stacks browned pork chops with a cornbread stuffing loaded with bacon, apple, sage and thyme. It looks like a full Sunday spread but comes together in only 40 minutes.

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Creamy Black Beans

Jalapeño, cumin, oregano, onion and garlic infuse these beans with a warmth of flavor as the cooking liquid reduces. Just remember to soak the beans overnight before you begin.

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Drip Beef Sandwiches

Ree swears by her secret ingredient for drip beef: a whole jar of pepperoncini that makes all the difference when you bite into the sandwich. You can use a slow cooker or a Dutch oven to let the beef simmer until it's fall apart tender. You can shred the beef as soon as it's ready or let it sit in the fridge overnight to easily skim off the fat the next day.
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Pot Roast with Vegetables

Tyler's pot roast is made all in one pot for easy clean-up. Season chuck roast liberally with salt and pepper and carmelize first for maximimum flavor. By adding aromatics like rosemary, celery and carrots you'll create even more flavor and end up with a colorful final dish. 
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Butternut Squash Lasagna

Turn a traditional fall vegetable, baked squash, into an Italian-inspired lasagna with creamy bechamel sauce.
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Meat Sauce

This is the one dish Ree makes ahead for a group more than any other. It's versatile and delicious and is the perfect on hand option when you've suddenly got a house full of people.
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