45 Healthy Fall Recipes That Are Comforting and Delicious
Easy autumn meals that are simple and light.
When fall arrives, you might be looking to mix up your menu to make the most of the autumnal produce that's available. Things like butternut squash, brussels sprouts and pumpkin are healthy and easy to incorporate into your meal rotation for fall. Just take a look at our favorite healthy fall recipes that work with your busy schedule and the in-season produce.
These fall dinner ideas make for a cozy dinner every night of the week. Some of them— like veggie-packed soups and stews — are also easy to make ahead of time. You could prep a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week. We've also included plenty of sheet-pan dinners, rice bowl recipes, slow cooker meals, air fryer recipes and Instant Pot dinners. These options make it easy to get a nutritious dinner on the table quickly and easily, and without dirtying every pot and pan in the kitchen. We'd call that a win!
If you're looking for even more fall dining ideas, don't miss our roundups of the best fall appetizers, easy fall salads, healthy chicken recipes and healthy vegetarian recipes. Bookmark your favorites now and come back when you need a little inspiration!
Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup
Who says comfort food can't be healthy? This creamy, smoky soup has plenty of protein and flavor, thanks to ingredients like pinto beans, poblano peppers, garlic and avocado.
Get the Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup recipe.
Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls
This sheet-pan dinner comes together in about 30 minutes. You'll want to add grape tomatoes, chicken breast, farro, and a can of chickpeas to your grocery list if you don't have these items on hand already.
Black Bean–Stuffed Poblanos
This satisfying and healthy dinner comes together quickly. You'll need poblano peppers, black beans, pico de gallo and a jar of queso. If you're vegan, you can use vegan queso.
Get the Black Bean–Stuffed Poblanos recipe.
Sweet Potatoes with Saucy Black Beans and Avocado Crema
Creamy avocado crema atop protein-packed black beans and fluffy sweet potato? Sounds like a weeknight winner to us! For more sweet potato dinner ideas, check out our recipes for sweet potatoes with herby bulgur and feta, sweet potatoes with roasted peppers and crispy chickpeas, sweet potatoes with yogurt, almond butter and pepita granola, and sweet potatoes with roasted chorizo and tomato.
Get the Sweet Potatoes with Saucy Black Beans and Avocado Crema recipe.
Crispy Striped Bass with Citrus Soba
In the mood for something elegant and heart-healthy? Try this dish, which brings together a crispy-skinned fish, soba noodles, and sugar snap peas, all drizzled with a bright ginger-orange vinaigrette.
Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken
This recipe, which brings together red onions, acorn squash, fennel and golden roasted chicken, is cozy and perfect for fall.
Get the Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken recipe.
RELATED: 60 Healthy Chicken Recipes Perfect for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Paprika Chicken with Peppers and Tomatoes
This simple recipe takes regular chicken breast and simple vegetables and turns them into a flavorful dinner of protein-packed chicken covered with paprika and jammy roasted peppers and tomatoes.
Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes, and Spinach
When you're in the mood for something fresh, delicious, and filling, it's hard to imagine a better meal than this. The sprinkle of sumac and fresh citrus flavor make this a dinner worthy of your weekly rotation.
Get the Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes, and Spinach recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Seared Steak with Blistered Tomatoes and Green Beans
Juicy steak, jammy roasted tomatoes and tender green beans come together for a satisfying and veggie-packed dinner that won't leave you reaching for the snack cupboard an hour later.
Get the Seared Steak with Blistered Tomatoes and Green Beans recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
This satisfying salad has plenty of protein thanks to the chickpeas and mozzarella balls, plus you'll get your serving of vegetables thanks to the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery and lettuce.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
RELATED: Healthy Salads for a Very Filling, Very Un-Boring Meal
Quick White Bean and Sausage Stew
This cozy stew features white beans, which are packed with protein and fiber. You can also add a little extra spinach to make it even healthier.
Get the Quick White Bean and Sausage Stew recipe.
RELATED: 27 Best Dutch Oven Recipes: Cozy Dinners and Decadent Desserts
Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower
Chicken and veggies get an upgrade thanks to the cozy, warming flavor from the garam masala. This dish also features cauliflower, which is a good source of fiber and several vitamins.
Get the Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower recipe.
Air Fryer Squash Soup
Put your air fryer to use and make this healthy fall soup. It brings together butternut squash, carrots and flavorful spices. Each serving is just under 300 calories, making it a good choice when you're in the mood for something comforting but not too heavy.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 72 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner
Paprika Chicken with Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes
This gorgeous dish is packed with protein, thanks to the juicy chicken breasts and toasted chickpeas. Tomatoes and paprika bring the flavor, making this an easy meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Paprika Chicken With Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes recipe.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata
This elegant soup packs in plenty of nutrients, thanks to the cauliflower, leek, celery and almonds.
Get the Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata recipe.
Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken with Fennel and Radicchio Salad
Get your lean protein from roasted chicken (or grab a rotisserie version from the store if you're short on time) and dig into a fresh and earthy side salad. Fennel comes packed with folate, a type of B vitamin that helps with muscle and nerve function.
Get the Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken With Fennel and Radicchio Salad recipe.
Acorn Squash with Brown Rice and Turkey Sausage
Acorn squash comes loaded with vitamins A and C, and it's the perfect vessel for lean turkey sausage, peppers and onions. Healthy whole grains like brown rice supply even more fiber.
Get the Acorn Squash With Brown Rice and Turkey Sausage recipe.
Savory Pumpkin and Sage Soup
Make sure you grab cans of pure pumpkin — not the pie filling — when you stock up on soup ingredients. A special shiitake mushroom garnish adds the finishing touch.
Get the Savory Pumpkin and Sage Soup recipe.
Broccoli-Parmesan Chicken Soup
Just one cup of broccoli florets contains all the vitamin C you need in a day. Grab your immersion blender to puree the veg (and just the right amount of Parmesan) for a creamy, cheesy soup under 400 calories per serving.
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
You've tried low-carb zoodles — now use squoodles for a lighter version of your favorite pasta dish. Even with creamy half-and-half, shredded Mozzarella, and grated Parmesan, this meal rings in under 400 calories per serving. Plus, the beta-carotene, potassium, and antioxidants in spaghetti squash will help protect your immune system.
Get the Spaghetti Squash Alfredo recipe.
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