When the temperature dips consistently below 70, I become a new woman. She’s the up at 5:45 on a Saturday, wrapped in a chunky sweater, two hands around the mug of tea kind of gal. Some kind of brunette Nicole Kidman character with a twist of Streganona. And I love her. Fall Me’s greatest strength is in the kitchen.
Our house doesn’t have central air, so summer recipes are somewhat limited to keep the house cool on humid summer nights. But when there’s a chill in the air, the warm oven and simmering stove are my best friends again. There may be some warm days hanging around still, but these are the recipes I’m cooking on repeat until like April.
This post was supposed to be general Fall recipes, but turns out most of my favorite fall recipes are just soups. So here are a few soups plus a creamy pasta with a bonus dessert recipe that I’m cooking on repeat this fall.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Love & Lemons | Recipe
I’ve instituted Soup Sunday in the house, but this is a Soup Everyday recipe. This Broccoli Cheddar recipe from Love & Lemons is so quick and easy, but makes me feel like queen of the kitchen every time. It’s also pretty easy to swap or substitute some of the ingredients if you’re between grocery trips or on a tighter budget.
Just this week, I swapped fresh for frozen broccoli, used white cheddar leftover from another recipe, and substituted Dijon mustard for an extra twist of pepper and splash of white wine.
Chicken and Dumplings
Country Living | Recipe
This is C’s favorite soup, which is high praise from someone who claims to “not really be a soup guy.” The dumplings are so tasty, and this is the perfect recipe to use grocery store rotisserie chicken! I almost always end up making this one a day or two after I make a fresh batch of broth. Fair warning, use the big dutch oven for this one! I’m always right at max height for mine with this recipe.
Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup
Budget Bytes | Recipe
I discovered this turkey meatball soup last year and then proceeded to make it at least once a week last winter. Tomato soup is great, but anything that does it up more is a great recipe in my book, and this one from Budget Bytes checks that box big time. The only downside is that making turkey meatballs by hand is a real pain! I’ve tried subbing in frozen meatballs, which works but doesn’t taste quite as good as the Budget Bytes homemade ones.
Seriously Good Vegetable Soup
Cookie + Kate | Recipe
Since I first made this soup deep in the winter of 2021, I’ve been hooked. My love for this veggie soup came out of a manic panic when I realized I hadn’t had a tasty vegetable since the summer and desperately needed a flavorful veg recipe. This veggie soup is not just good for you, but it’s also delicious. I often swap the ingredients around based on what I have in the fridge. I’ve also added in egg noodles for a Progresso-y taste. It’s not the best soup on this list for the freezer, but it is the best soup for when you’re freezing!
Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie
Sweet Tea + Thyme | Recipe
I’ll let you in on a secret, I’m positive this deconstructed pot pie recipe took me to a new level in the eyes of my in-laws. It was the first meal I made for them after C and I moved in together. The combination of surprise as to how good it was then disappointment in my FIL’s eyes when I informed him we had indeed eaten every bit of it was so satisfying as a host, I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
Only change I make to this recipe is skipping the puff pastry crusts, instead making whatever Pillsbury roll/croissant is on sale that week!
Butternut Squash Carbonara
Half-Baked Harvest | Recipe
This was a new recipe for me last winter and it was an immediate favorite. I had been looking for more ways to incorporate seasonal vegetables, and I’m not really into straight-up squash, so this was perfect. That being said, I definitely resort to a minimalist version of this recipe. It is way more than a 30-minute recipe, and it is kind of a pain to make. I’ll do the full version for guests, but when it’s just me for dinner, I’ll cut some big corners on this recipe to make it quicker, easier, and use fewer dishes!
French Apple Cake
Once Upon a Chef | Recipe
It is apple season, and I’ll be making up apple recipes until Christmas. Last year I took umbrage with pies after a few disappointing years of apple pies and in a fit of doughy-bottom-induced rage, swapped pie for this French Apple Cake recipe. It is light, airy, fruity, delicious, and best of all, so so easy. I make this all the time and it’s go-to for parties and game nights. Fully recommend, she’s even making it onto my Thanksgiving menu this year!
