It’s that time again!
Whether it’s getting a cup of the ever-trendy Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte from Starbucks or digging into your mom’s pecan pie, Fall flavors are all the rage right now.
To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of the best Fall recipes that anyone can make, regardless of your level of experience.
From tasty desserts to savory mains, we’re sure we have the centerpiece of your next Autumn meal!
Got any other favorites? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
1. Apple-Spiced Pancakes
Image Source: Delish
Of course, no fall meal would be complete without a sweet dish...And we’ve got the perfect selection that works double as a breakfast or dessert.
Pancakes!
While it is a bit more labor intensive that your run-of-the-mill pancakes, it’s still relatively easy to make.
Each bite is enhanced by the cinnamon and brown sugar; which bring out the tart sweetness of the apples.
Need more ideas for fall pancakes? Check out these 24 top picks from Taste of Home.
2. Jerk Chicken
Image Source: Food Network
While we all love pumpkin spice everything in the Fall, we’re sure we’re not the only ones who have been looking for a new way to spice up this old favorite.
We found it in the form of this Jerk Chicken recipe from Food Network.
Most dishes using pumpkin spice tend towards the sweeter side; but this dish cleverly uses the spice as the base for a paste that contains garlic, brown sugar, Scotch bonnet chile, ground allspice, peeled ginger, Pickapeppa sauce (A Jamaican condiment similar to Habanero sauce), and more.
Need a side dish for your Jerk Chicken? Try Betty Crocker’s Jerk Chicken Casserole.
Also, check out Food Network’s Savory Ways To Use Pumpkin Spice for more ideas on how to use pumpkin spice in your lunch and dinner entrees.
3. Pumpkin Spice Ribs
Image Source: Cake N’ Knife
Another way to use pumpkin spice in a savory dish is as a dry rub.
A dry rub is basically a mixture of ingredients (such as spices and herbs) that is used to coat meat before cooking.
Depending on the recipe, you may sometimes want to leave the rub on for anywhere from an hour, half a day (12 hours) to a full day.
The only exception is when you’re using something acidic like lemon or lime as a base for a marinade; in which case you want to let the marinade sit for 2 hours or less before cooking time.
Need any more ideas for dry rubs, try Hey Grill Hey’s The Best Dry Rubs for Ribs. Remember, you can substitute these recipes for any other types of meat you’re working with (pork ribs, chicken thighs, fish fillets, etc). You can also replace any of the other ingredients with those more readily available in your pantry.
4. Pumpkin Soup
Sweater-weather is among us, and as much as we love it, we know that sometimes the nights can get a bit chilly.
That’s why this Delish’s Pumpkin Soup is the perfect way to warm up your soul.
This recipe calls for a hefty 4 lbs of Pumpkin, plus low-sodium chicken broth, minced garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, coarsely chopped onion, finely ground black pepper, ½ cup of heavy cream.
Country Living has compiled this extensive list of 60 Best Fall Soups That Will Warm You Right Up.
5. Butternut Squash Risotto
Image Source: Brit + Co
If you are craving something new on the menu, try amping up old favorites like risotto with this Butternut Squash Risotto recipe from The Pioneer Woman (via Brit + Co).
Weighing around 2-3 pounds on average, working with butternut squash can be a feat. But with the right tools you can easily cut yours into the desired size in no time.
In addition to the butternut squash you will also need butter, olive oil, kosher salt, Arborio rice, chili powder, minced parsley, diced onion, heavy cream, vegetable or chicken broth, salt and pepper (to taste), turmeric, black pepper, and parmesan shavings.
Check out Garlic & Zest’s recipe for Autumn Squash Risotto with Parmigiano Reggiano.
6. Caramel Pecan Cheesecake
Image Source: Taste of Home
Nothing gives you the cozy comfort of home on a fall night like a fall dessert. So our next few selections will be sweet eats we know you and your family will enjoy.
The Pecan Pie is a part of American tradition, and this version gives you more flavor by packing caramel with each layer.
You won’t need a lot of ingredients with this one. Pie pastry (Store bought is fine), fat-free caramel ice cream topping, vanilla extract, eggs, cream cheese, sugar, and pecans are all of the items you’ll need.
Need more ideas for sweet fall recipes? check out Saveur’s Our Best Fall Pies To Bake Right Now.
7. Curried Shepherd’s Pie
Image Source: So Let’s Hang Out
If you’re looking for the autumn equivalent of chicken pot pie, look no further than curried shepherd pie from So Let’s Hang Out.
It includes multiple layers of ground beef, pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and more…
Need more Shepherd’s Pie fall recipes? Check out Alton Brown’s recipe on Food Network.
8. Classic Sweet Potato Pie
Image Source: Baked By An Introvert
Of course, fall isn’t complete without a sweet potato pie. This isn’t a recipe you can only have once a year during Thanksgiving.
It’s a dessert fit for every occasion; especially during the fall.
There aren’t a lot of frills in this recipe. Brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, milk and other simple ingredients round out this list of ingredients.
Need some more inspiration? Here’s another version of how to make sweet potato pie from scratch by The Kitchn.
9. Apple Betty
Image Source: Taste of Home
Lastly, if you’re looking for a lighter dessert, nothing hits the spot more than an apple betty. Think of its taste as somewhere between an apple pie and a crumble.
This version contains all of the best fall ingredients, including cardamom, cinnamon-raisin bread, almond extract, tart apples, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Want a different take on this classic? Try Self Proclaimed Foodie’s version of the Apple Brown Betty which gives a little extra zing with pumpkin pie spice.
10. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Image Source: Taste of Home
It might not be the first type of dessert you think of when you think of the autumn season, but these pumpkin-flavored whoopie pies are sure to change that.
First of all, if you’re wondering what the heck is a whoopie pie, look no further than What’s Cooking America’s Whoopie Pie History & Recipes.
As far as taste, you can think of it as a fluffier version of Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies.
This recipe calls for canned pumpkin, ground ginger, Cinnamon, baking flour, and Brown sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda, 1 cup of shortening, whole milk, vanilla extract, confectioner’s sugar and a few other tasty ingredients.
If you’re looking for an alternative, try this whoopie pie with maple cream cheese filling from Brown Eyed Baker.
Well, there you have it.
We hope our list of the top 10 recipes for the first day of fall and beyond helps inspire you to be more creative with your dishes this season.
We’ve included a list of new and old favorites that we’re sure your family will love.
But we’ve found that the most important thing you can do is to experiment. It’s not only fun to try your hand at creating entrees based on new flavors, it’s also a delicious experience for your tastebuds.
Pumpkin pie spice isn’t reserved only for desserts. These days, it’s also the star of savory dishes; helping to give all of those flavors already present an extra zing. One way to liven up your protein is to use it as a rub or marinade for anything from pork ribs to fish.
Likewise, sweet potatoes are a great addition to savory dishes like curried shepherd’s pie. But of course, the traditional favorites are still much loved; You can never go wrong with sweet potato pie, pecan pie (or cheesecake, in this case), and pumpkin-flavored anything.
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