21 (Really Good) Fall Recipes To Make In October

Let the best food season begin.

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Fall eats are (finally!) here.

That means we're loading up our plates with seasonal pasta recipes, easy slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners that basically make themselves, all of the pumpkin desserts — and spiked mulled cider to serve alongside. 🎃

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1. Hearty Instant Pot Pot Roast

The meat, carrots, and potatoes all cook directly in the broth — so everything is fork tender (and extra flavorful) by the time it's done.

Recipe: Hearty Instant Pot Pot Roast

2. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

sallysbakingaddiction.com

Rich, chewy, chocolate-y — and the perfect way to kick off the season.

Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Easy Tortellini With Buttery Mushrooms

saltandlavender.com

Filed under: The Best Way To Upgrade Grocery Store Tortellini.

Recipe: Easy Tortellini With Buttery Mushrooms

4. Crock Pot Cranberry Pear Cider

foxandbriar.com

Bonus in that your kitchen will smell amazing as this cooks down.

Recipe: Crock Pot Cranberry Pear Cider

5. Skillet Chicken With Grapes and Caramelized Onions

pinchofyum.com

The chicken is dredged in a quick mix of flour and seasoning before it hits the pan — which will ensure that it gets extra golden brown and crispy.

Recipe: Skillet Chicken With Grapes and Caramelized Onions

6. Perfect Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

sallysbakingaddiction.com

Reminder: Halloween will be here before we know it. 🎃

Recipe: Perfect Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

7. Easiest Tomato Gnocchi Soup

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

Because we could all use a little more gnocchi in our lives, right?

Recipe: Easiest Tomato Gnocchi Soup

8. Crock Pot Sweet Potato Stew

chelseasmessyapron.com

Packed with protein, fiber, and plenty of vegetables.

Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Stew

9. Low-Carb Italian Turkey Boats

lecremedelacrumb.com

The filling — with ground turkey, mushrooms, bell peppers, and marinara — is super versatile. If you're not watching carbs, you could also serve it over rice or stuffed into a hoagie or pita.

Recipe: Low-Carb Italian Turkey Boats

10. Shortcut Maple-Glazed Apple Tart

bonappetit.com

The shortcut here is using grocery store puff pastry as the base — which means this impressive-looking dessert is actually super easy to prepare. (If you can layer stuff onto a sheet, you can make this!)

Recipe: Shortcut Maple-Glazed Apple Tart

11. Vegan Broccoli White Bean Soup

withfoodandlove.com

You'll sauté broccoli and creamy white beans on the stovetop for a few minutes — then toss everything into the blender until it's glossy and smooth.

Recipe: Creamy Broccoli White Bean Soup With Yogurt

12. Oven Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

cookieandkate.com

The secret to getting these extra crispy in the oven? A light sprinkling of cornstarch before they go in.

Recipe: Oven Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

13. Easy Traditional Red Sangria

minimalistbaker.com

Takes all of five minutes to prep. Cheers!

Recipe: Easy Traditional Red Sangria

14. Protein-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

eatingbirdfood.com

This recipe swaps traditional noodles for high-protein chickpea ones — then swirls in spinach and broccoli.

Recipe: Protein-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

15. Crispy Airfryer Chickpeas

myforkinglife.com

Meet your new favorite Netflix snack.

Recipe: Crispy Airfryer Chickpeas

16. Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Salad

lecremedelacrumb.com

Fair warning that you'll want to put the tangy homemade dressing — made with sweet onions, garlic, and dijon — on just about everything.

Recipe: Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Salad

17. Crumbly Pumpkin Bread

damndelicious.net

This slightly lighter version uses whole wheat flour in the batter plus applesauce to sweeten.

Recipe: Crumbly Pumpkin Bread

18. Oven-Baked Pizza Chicken

budgetbytes.com

Perfect with a side of greens and warm garlic bread.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Pizza Chicken

19. Cauliflower Rice Bowl With Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas & Feta

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

To save time, start with pre-riced cauliflower — and know that this recipe works perfectly for meal prep.

Recipe: Cauliflower Rice Bowl With Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas & Feta

20. General Tso's Cauliflower

thewoksoflife.com

This vegan-friendly version is simpler to make than you think — and can work as both a side or a main.

Recipe: General Tso's Cauliflower

21. Butternut Squash Pasta With Tangy Goat Cheese

halfbakedharvest.com

Topped with brown butter sauce and toasted breadcrumbs — and perfect for pasta night.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Pasta With Tangy Goat Cheese