As the season begins to change from the blistering hot days of summer to slightly cooler fall days and chilly evenings, I find myself eager to pull out my slow cooker and dutch oven, and make some of our family’s favorite fall meals.
There is something so comforting and nourishing about a slow-cooked meal that simmers away all day. The aroma fills the house, and in between the rushing around of sports and after-school activities, the family gathers together around the table.
Although we do this throughout the summer as well, there is just something different and cozy about a slow-cooked meal in the fall. Something that is easy to throw together, fills the house with the smell of dinner, and nourishes our souls and not just our bodies.
From soups to pot roasts, or even firing up the outdoor grill on those crisp evenings with a fire going, there are several fall meals on repeat in our home.
These are a few of the meals we find ourselves coming back to again and again this time of year.
Pot Roast 🥕
There are some meals that just feel like fall to me, and pot roast is definitely one of them. I make several different versions depending on what we’re in the mood for, from a traditional pot roast with carrots, celery and onions to Mississippi pot roast with pepperoncinis.
They are simple, comforting, and always a hit around our house. We usually serve them with mashed potatoes, and yes, sometimes those are the premade kind. Sometimes practical wins. 😊
For a similar traditional slow cooker pot roast:
Slow Cooker Pot Roast from Food Network
For a Mississippi pot roast:
Mississippi Pot Roast from The Modern Proper
Red Soup 🍲
Another meal that has become a favorite in our house is what we call Red Soup.
This is actually a recipe that was taught to me by a friend, and we’ve made it our own over the years. I believe her family makes it with chicken thighs, but we usually use chicken breast. I slow cook the chicken ahead of time with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chicken broth, then shred it and use that broth in the soup.
I start with a little olive oil, garlic, onion and tomato paste, letting everything cook down until the tomato paste gets a little roast-y. Then I add carrots and celery, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin, and add the chicken and broth.
This is definitely one of those eyeball recipes, and I usually add a little more broth or seasoning as I go. We usually serve it over white rice, which has become our favorite version. Sometimes I’ll add potatoes instead and let them cook right in the soup.
It is simple, hearty and one of those meals that just feels good on a cool fall evening.
If you’d like the full Red Soup recipe, let me know and I’d be happy to share it!
Shepherd’s Pie 🥧
Shepherd’s Pie is another one of those cozy fall meals we come back to again and again. It’s hearty, comforting, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s especially good on a chilly evening when you’re craving something warm and filling.
For our favorite recipe:
Homemade Shepherd's Pie from Savory Nothings
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta 🍝
This is one of those meals that feels a little more special than a regular weeknight dinner, but it is still easy enough to make when everyone is hungry and we've got places to be. It's creamy, cheesy, has chicken and spinach, and goes really well with some garlic bread and a salad.
I love meals like this in the fall because they are warm and comforting without requiring a ton of time in the kitchen. This one is definitely a favorite in our house and something I find myself making again and again.
I usually make mine with a jar of Alfredo sauce because, well, sometimes easy wins around here.
For a similar recipe:
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta from Simply Home Cooked
Cooking Outside on Crisp Fall Evenings 🍂🪵
Not every cozy fall meal needs to come from the slow cooker. Whether it's burgers and hot dogs or something simple like chicken fajitas, cooking outside on those cooler fall evenings is as good as it gets in my opinion.
There is something so cozy about needing a light jacket, bundling up around the fire, and gathering with family and friends while dinner cooks. These are some of my favorite meals for slower Friday evenings when we don't have anywhere we need to rush off to.
We can start a fire, cook dinner outside, sit around and enjoy the evening, and end the night with some s'mores.
Maybe it's not the most complicated meal, but those evenings are comforting and nourishing for the soul. Sometimes, the meal is only part of what makes the evening special. It's the people gathered around it, too.
Nourishment, Balance and the Table 🤎
We rush around all week between school and work, sports and activities, and everything else that fills our days. Yet we can still be intentional about finding the time to sit down together over a warm meal and slow down, even if it is just for a little while.
There is something nourishing about making space for the time we spend together. I think some of the balance between life, work and family can be found right there around the table.
And the meal doesn't need to be elaborate. It can be slow-cooked chicken, premade mashed potatoes when you're in a hurry, or burgers on the grill outside near a fire. There is room for shortcuts and simple swaps. What matters is taking the time to nourish our bodies, our souls and the people we love.
Because sometimes the simplest meals can become some of the most meaningful moments.
I'd love to hear your favorites, too! Leave your family's favorite fall meal below. 🤍