21 One-Pot Fall Meals to Make on Repeat
One-pot meals are perfect for fall when you want something warm and filling but don’t want to deal with a bunch of dirty dishes. These recipes use seasonal ingredients and give you that cozy comfort food feeling without tons of work.
Most of them taste even better the next day which makes them great for meal prep. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend cooking.
Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew
This stew is thick and hearty with chunks of tender chicken and sweet potato. The sweet potatoes break down a little while cooking which helps thicken the broth naturally. Add some herbs like thyme or rosemary to make it smell amazing. This freezes really well so you can make a big batch and save some for later. Perfect for those first chilly nights when you want something warming.
Get the recipe here.
Beef and Butternut Squash Chili
The butternut squash in this chili adds sweetness that balances the spicy peppers really good. It cooks down and gets creamy which makes the chili thick without adding flour or anything. You can use ground beef or chunks, whatever you prefer. This tastes way better than regular chili and the orange color looks pretty too. Great for football season or when you need to feed a crowd.
Get the recipe here.
Creamy Pumpkin Risotto with Sage
Risotto seems fancy but its really just rice cooked slowly with broth. The pumpkin makes it creamy and gives it a beautiful color. Fresh sage leaves fried in butter on top make it taste like restaurant food. You gotta stir it a lot but it’s worth it for how good it tastes. This is my go-to when I want something that feels special but isn’t too complicated.
Get the recipe here.
One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Fall Vegetables
This is basically a complete meal in one pan – protein, starch, and vegetables all cooked together. The rice absorbs all the flavors from the chicken and vegetables while it cooks. You can use whatever fall vegetables you got like carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts. The best part is everything gets done at the same time so no timing issues.
Get the recipe here.
Turkey and White Bean Soup
This soup is filling enough to be a whole meal and the white beans add protein and fiber. Turkey is leaner than beef but still gives you that hearty flavor. The beans break down a little which helps thicken the soup naturally. You can use leftover turkey from holidays or just buy ground turkey from the store. Perfect for cold days when you need something that’ll stick to your ribs.
Get the recipe here.
Maple Glazed Pork and Apple Skillet
The combination of pork and apples is classic fall flavors. The maple glaze caramelizes while cooking and makes everything taste amazing. The apples get soft but don’t fall apart completely. This cooks fast in a skillet so it’s good for busy weeknights. Serve over rice or with some crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Get the recipe here.
Mushroom and Wild Rice Pilaf
Wild rice takes longer to cook than regular rice but it’s got this nutty flavor that’s really good with mushrooms. This is hearty enough to be a main dish for vegetarians or a good side for meat. The mushrooms add that earthy flavor that screams fall. You can use a mix of different mushrooms if you want to get fancy about it.
Get the recipe here.
Hearty Lentil and Sausage Soup
Lentils cook way faster than other dried beans and don’t need soaking. The sausage adds flavor to the whole pot and makes it feel more substantial. This soup gets thick and filling, almost like a stew. Red lentils break down more than green ones so pick based on what texture you want. Great for meal prep cause it keeps well in the fridge for days.
Get the recipe here.
One-Pot Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach
The pasta cooks right in the sauce which means it absorbs all the flavors. Roasted red peppers add sweetness and the spinach gives it some color and nutrients. This comes together super quick so it’s perfect for weeknight dinners. The starchy pasta water helps make the sauce creamy without adding cream. Easy enough that kids can help make it.
Get the recipe here.
Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew
Just throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to amazing smells. The beef gets fall-apart tender and the vegetables soak up all the flavors. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots work best cause they hold up to long cooking. This is comfort food at its finest and makes your house smell incredible all day.
Get the recipe here.
Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables
Chicken thighs stay moist way better than breasts and have more flavor. The root vegetables roast alongside and get caramelized edges. Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is easy. The chicken fat renders out and helps cook the vegetables which makes everything taste better. This feels fancy but is actually pretty simple to make.
Get the recipe here.
Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup with Tortellini
Adding tortellini to tomato soup makes it way more filling and turns it into a real meal. The pasta cooks right in the soup so it absorbs the tomato flavor. Fresh basil at the end makes it taste bright and fresh. This is like grown-up version of the canned soup you had as a kid but way better. Perfect with grilled cheese for dipping.
Get the recipe here.
One-Pot Moroccan Chickpea Stew
The spices in this like cumin and cinnamon make it taste exotic but it’s not hard to make. Chickpeas are filling and cheap, plus they soak up all the flavors. You can add whatever vegetables you have lying around. This is vegetarian but so hearty you won’t miss the meat. The leftovers taste even better after the flavors have time to blend together.
Get the recipe here.
Sausage and Kale Skillet with Potatoes
The sausage fat renders out and cooks the potatoes which gives everything amazing flavor. Kale holds up better than spinach to long cooking and adds good nutrition. The potatoes get crispy on the bottom if you let them sit without stirring too much. This is like a fancy hash that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Get the recipe here.
Turkey Chili with Black Beans
Turkey chili is lighter than beef but still really satisfying. The black beans add protein and fiber plus they look pretty mixed in. This freezes great so make a big batch and portion it out. You can adjust the spice level depending on who’s eating it. Top with cheese, sour cream, or whatever you like on regular chili.
Get the recipe here.
Creamy Mushroom and Thyme Chicken
The mushrooms create their own sauce as they cook down and release moisture. Fresh thyme makes everything smell amazing while it’s cooking. The chicken stays super moist cause it braises in the mushroom sauce. This tastes like something from a fancy restaurant but uses simple ingredients. Serve over rice or pasta to soak up all that good sauce.
Get the recipe here.
One-Pot Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
The pasta cooks right in the sauce in the oven which saves time and dishes. Italian sausage adds way more flavor than ground beef. The cheese gets bubbly and golden on top. This feeds a crowd and reheats well for leftovers. It’s like lasagna but way easier cause you don’t have to layer anything.
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Bowl
Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and gives them crispy edges. Quinoa cooks like rice but has more protein. You can use whatever vegetables are in season or on sale. This is healthy but still filling and satisfying. The leftovers make great lunches for work cause it tastes good cold too.
Get the recipe here.
Chicken and Dumpling Soup
The dumplings cook right on top of the soup which steams them perfectly. This is ultimate comfort food that reminds you of being sick as a kid but in a good way. The dumplings soak up some of the broth and get fluffy and tender. You can use store-bought biscuit dough if you don’t want to make dumplings from scratch. Perfect for rainy days when you need something soul-warming.
Get the recipe here.
Spiced Lamb and Sweet Potato Curry
Lamb might seem fancy but it’s actually really good in curry cause the spices complement the meat perfectly. Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness that balances the heat from the spices. This has complex flavors but isn’t actually hard to make once you get the spices together. Serve over rice to soak up the sauce and make it more filling.
Get the recipe here.
One-Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli
The cream sauce brings everything together and makes it feel indulgent. The broccoli cooks just enough to be tender but still has some bite. Parmesan cheese adds richness and helps thicken the sauce. This is kid-friendly but fancy enough for company. The whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes which makes it perfect for busy nights.
Get the recipe here.
