If Fall Is Also Your Favorite Cooking Season, You'll Want To Bookmark These 30 Recipes For September ASAP

    It may still be hot out, but I'm in full pumpkin mode.

    Claudia Santos
    by Claudia Santos

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you're anything like me, fall is your absolute favorite season for cooking. I know for a lot of us it's still sweltering in September, but that doesn't mean we can't indulge in every pumpkin and apple product we can get our hands on. And, of course, we still have a bit of late-summer produce to cling onto (grab those tomatoes while you still can). So, from breakfast to happy hour drinks, here's everything to cook this month if you're ready to transition to fall.

    A list of September produce
    BuzzFeed
    How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com

    This savory, herby Dutch baby is the perfect satisfying breakfast. Don't be scared off by the two hour bake time on the tomatoes! You can easily prep them in advance if you're in a pinch.

    Recipe: Savory Herb Dutch Baby with Slow Roasted Tomatoes

    2. Classic Pumpkin Scones

    someone reaching for pumpkin scones on a plate
    Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com

    It's not really fall unless we devour a least one pumpkin-flavored baked good a week, right? One very hot tip: blot the pumpkin puree with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and prevent your scones from spreading.

    Recipe: Classic Pumpkin Scones

    3. Raspberry Almond Ricotta Cake

    prepped ingredients and sliced raspberry almond ricotta cake
    Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com

    We're all about cake for breakfast around here. Take advantage of those late summer raspberries and make sure to use whole milk ricotta for a luxuriously rich texture.

    Recipe: Raspberry Almond Ricotta Cake

    4. Cream Cheese Zucchini Muffins

    zucchini cream cheese muffins on a cooling rack
    Simply Recipes / Via simplyrecipes.com

    We're not done with zucchini quite yet! Get a little creative beyond the usual loaf and make these creamy cheesecake muffins.

    Recipe: Cream Cheese Zucchini Muffins

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Impress everyone at the brunch table with this show-stopper. With hearty roasted beets and two different cheeses, the leftovers might just carry you into dinner.

    Recipe: Roasted Beet, Baby Kale, and Brie Quiche

    6. Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch

    plated ricotta and pear crostini
    Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com

    This appetizer may be easy to make, but it's definitely not boring. The sweet-salty combo of pears and prosciutto topped with pumpkin seeds and pistachios for texture makes it ideal for whatever you're hosting.

    Recipe: Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch

    7. Eggplant Caponata

    Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com

    If you've never had this traditional Sicilian dish, this is your sign. Use it in a sandwich, eat as an appetizer with some toasted bread, or even serve on top of meat and fish. It's so incredibly versatile as a condiment or even on its own.

    Recipe: Eggplant Caponata

    8. Zucchini Fritters

    stacked zucchini fritters on a plate
    Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com

    These cheesy, crispy fritters will make you question why you ever complained about all that zucchini in your garden. Just make sure to use small to medium ones since the larger zucchinis tend to be very watery.

    Recipe: Zucchini Fritters

    9. Pear, Walnut, and Cheddar Puff Pastry Tart

    cooked pear puff pastry tart cut into squares
    Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com

    If you're hosting and scrambling for a last-minute appetizer, look no further than this 15-minute tart. Play around with the cheese and fruit combos to take advantage of all that seasonal produce.

    Recipe: Pear, Walnut, and Cheddar Puff Pastry Tart

    10. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Wild Rice

    a butternut squash cut in half and stuffed with rice and cheese
    Ahead of Thyme / Via aheadofthyme.com

    This vegetarian dish is the ultimate hearty fall comfort meal. Leave out the cheese to make it vegan, or even serve this as a side dish to your main meal.

    Recipe: Stuffed Butternut Squash with Wild Rice

    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    This bowl of creamy pumpkin pasta will send you straight into fall. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the toasted rosemary walnut topping adds an incredible additional texture and just a touch of sweetness.

    Recipe: Pumpkin Rigatoni with Rosemary Walnut Crispies

    12. Easy Moroccan Stuffed Eggplant

    eggplants on a baking tray stuffed with meat
    Recipe Tin Eats / Via recipetineats.com

    Use beef or lamb (or even a vegetarian protein of your choice) seasoned in a North African spice blend to create this hearty and surprisingly easy dish. To get the most out of your eggplant, salt them and let them sit for 30 minutes before patting out the extra moisture.

    Recipe: Easy Moroccan Stuffed Eggplant

    13. Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup

    a bowl of sausage, kale, and white bean soup
    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    Colder days mean soup season is finally here. There’s no way you’ll be left hungry with how rich, creamy, and filling this one is.

    Recipe: Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup

    Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com

    If you're not quite ready to let go of summer but are still okay with turning on your oven, these enchiladas are the perfect balance of light and indulgent. Yellow bell peppers give the mole sauce its striking color and you can feel free to swap any protein of your choice for the filling.

    Recipe: Shrimp Enchiladas with Yellow Mole Sauce

    15. Fresh Corn Polenta with Blistered Tomatoes

    corn polenta in a bowl topped with tomatoes and basil
    Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com

    This corn polenta uses just a few ingredients, but that doesn't mean it skips on flavor. Top with those late-summer tomatoes and swap with other hearty vegetables as the season goes on (I personally vote for roasted mushrooms).

    Recipe: Fresh Corn Polenta with Blistered Tomatoes

    16. Socca Pizza with Summer Squash and Feta

    socca pizza in a cast iron pan
    Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com

    If you've never heard of socca, let me introduce you to this traditional flatbread from Nice. Made with chickpea flour, it makes for a perfect gluten-free pizza crust, even though it can 100% stand on its own. Top this one with the last of that summer squash for the perfect weeknight dinner.

    Recipe: Socca Pizza with Summer Squash and Feta

    17. Arugula White Bean Salad with Pesto Chicken

    sliced chicken on top of a bed of arugula and white beans
    The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com

    This salad is perfect for those still hot September days when you need something quick and refreshing. You can even skip grilling your own chicken and grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken if you're really looking to cut down on time.

    Recipe: Arugula White Bean Salad with Pesto Chicken

    Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

    Get some of those Thanksgiving flavors in early with gnocchi toasted in sage brown butter. If you want to challenge yourself a bit (and have some extra time), you can even make your own ricotta gnocchi.

    Recipe: Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sage Brown Butter Sauce

    19. Moussaka

    moussaka being served out of a large cast iron pan
    Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com

    This traditional Greek dish with have you coming in for seconds...and probably thirds. Layers of eggplant with meat sauce and bechamel are sure to warm you up whenever those temperatures start to drop. And if you want to keep this vegetarian, swap the meat for lentils, mushrooms, or any assortment of veggies.

    Recipe: Moussaka

    20. Farmers Market Chilled Soup with Cucumber Salad

    chilled soup in a bowl topped with diced cucumber and onion
    With Food and Love / Via withfoodandlove.com

    Craving soup but still dealing with high temps where you live? Well, this refreshing chilled soup might just be your answer. If you can still spot sungold tomatoes at your local farmers market or grocery store, definitely grab them. 

    Recipe: Farmers Market Chilled Soup with Cucumber Salad

    21. Turkey Pumpkin Chili

    The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com

    Get ready to have this chili in your fall meal rotation. The recipe calls for a sugar pie pumpkin (not to be confused with the massive jack-o-lantern pumpkins), but feel free to sub your favorite winter squash and you'll still be left with an incredibly comforting meal.

    Recipe: Turkey Pumpkin Chili

    22. Fig Pizza with Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola

    a sliced fig pizza topped with arugula
    Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com

    In case no one has told you: you should absolutely be taking advantage of figs this time of year. The salty, funky gorgonzola on this pizza pairs really well with sweet figs. Feel free to use store-bought dough for a super easy dinner or appetizer.

    Recipe: Fig Pizza with Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola

    23. Chicken and Delicata Squash Curry

    delicata squash and chicken curry plated with rice and naan
    Our Balanced Bowl / Via ourbalancedbowl.com

    Warm spices, seasonal squash, and creamy coconut milk are sure to warm you up on a crisp fall night. Plus, prep included, this entire meal is ready in under 40 minutes.

    Recipe: Chicken and Delicata Squash Curry

    24. Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

    several apple blondies on a sheet of parchment
    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    I know pumpkin gets a lot of love this time of year, but we can't forget about all those apples we'll inevitably be picking. Not only do these blondies have fresh apples, but there's also apple butter to as some extra sweetness and moisture.

    Recipe: Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

    25. Plum Crisp with Pistachio, Oat, and Almond Meal Topping

    a baked plum crisp
    Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com

    Plums are so often overlooked in desserts, but they really shouldn't be! Not only is this crisp incredibly easy to make, but it's also gluten-free (and can be nut-free with a few adjustments). 

    Recipe: Plum Crisp with Pistachio, Oat, and Almond Meal Topping

    How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com

    If you really want your apples to shine, this is the perfect dessert for you. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and definitely don't forget about the maple brown butter.

    Recipe: Oatmeal Baked Apples with Maple Brown Butter and Toasted Hazelnuts

    27. Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake

    pumpkin tres leches served on a plate
    Isabel Eats / Via isabeleats.com

    If you can't stand to see another pumpkin pie this season, mix things up with this fall-inspired take on a tres leches cake. Both pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice work beautifully with the milk mixture — just make sure you account for the two hands-off hours it takes for everything to soak in!

    Recipe: Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake

    28. Spicy Cucumber Margaritas

    a spicy cucumber margarita with a sweet chili salt rim
    Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

    Time to bust out your blender and make these refreshing margaritas for those hotter days. The sweet chili salt rim perfectly balances out the spice, but some Tajín would also work wonderfully here.

    Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Margaritas

    29. Basil Fig Vodka Smash with Honey

    fresh figs in a basket and basil fig vodka smash in a glass topped with basil
    With Food and Love / Via withfoodandlove.com

    This basil fig smash is the epitome of late summer. The recipe calls for opal (purple) basil that's a bit sweeter than other varieties, but any other basil will work just as well.

    Recipe: Basil Fig Vodka Smash with Honey

    30. Apple Harvest Punch

    apple punch in a large pitcher and two glasses topped with cinnamon sticks
    The Little Epicurean / Via thelittleepicurean.com

    There's nothing like whiskey, cinnamon, and apples to help you warm up. Since apple cider is the star of this drink, you'll want to make sure you grab one that's fresh and unfiltered. Chilling overnight in the fridge is also highly recommended.

    Recipe: Apple Harvest Punch