20 Fall Entrées To Elevate Your Kitchen This Year

Welcome back to another Fall season. Here, I’ve curated a list of my favorite simple Fall main dish recipes and why they’re perfect for dining this season. Each recipe uses simple and minimal ingredients, but they pack tons of flavor. Feel free to expand on these recipes in your own unique way!

Now let’s get into these flavor packed Fall main dish recipes! If you want to see some amazing Fall side dishes to complete your meal, check out 30 Side Dish Recipes, with options ranging from baked goods, salads, soups, and more! For drink ideas, check out our 10 Fall Beverages List that will help you spice up the season even more!

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Now let’s get to it these delicious main dishes!

Braised Short Ribs

Why it’s great for fall: Rich, tender short ribs braised with red wine and aromatic vegetables warm you up on chilly fall evenings.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs beef short ribs
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (chopped)
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown ribs in a Dutch oven, set aside.
2. Sauté onions and carrots, then add wine, broth, and rosemary.
3. Return ribs, cover, and braise at 325°F (160°C) for 2.5–3 hours.

Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna

Why it’s great for fall: Creamy butternut squash layers blend beautifully with savory sausage in this hearty lasagna.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash (roasted, puréed)
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 lb lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella
• 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)

Instructions:

1. Layer cooked noodles, sausage, squash purée, ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella.
2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Why it’s great for fall: This hearty soup combines tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and rich broth, perfect for warming up.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast (cubed)
• 1 cup wild rice
• 4 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 3 carrots (diced)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (to thicken)
• 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Sauté chicken, onions, garlic, and carrots in a dutch oven. Add the flour last.
2. Add broth and wild rice, simmer for 45 minutes.

Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon

Why it’s great for fall: Creamy risotto infused with the warmth of pumpkin and crispy bacon offers the perfect seasonal comfort dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 cup pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 slices bacon (cooked, crumbled)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions and rice, then add broth slowly.
2. Stir in pumpkin, season, and cook until creamy. Stir in bacon or add to the top.

Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops

Why it’s great for fall: Apples and cider make pork extra juicy and flavorful, evoking the cozy essence of fall.

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic (minced of grated)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Sear pork chops, set aside.
2. Reduce garlic, cider, mustard, honey, and butter to a glaze.
3. Coat pork chops in glaze, finish cooking. (Broil in the oven for 5 minutes if desired.)

Beef and Sweet Potato Chili

Why it’s great for fall: The sweetness of the potatoes paired with the heartiness of beef creates a comforting chili that’s perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 sweet potatoes (cubed)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans
• 1/2 tbsp of EACH: chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Cilantro (optional topping/garnish)

Instructions:

1. Brown beef and onion, then add potatoes.
2. Add tomatoes, beans, and spices. Simmer for 45 minutes.

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

Why it’s great for fall: Lamb, roasted with a blend of rosemary, thyme, and garlic, has a depth of flavor that pairs well with fall vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 rack of lamb
• 1 cup italian breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Coat lamb with herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic, and oil.
2. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes, or change the time for you preferred doneness.

Mushroom and Sage Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Why it’s great for fall: Earthy mushrooms and fragrant sage are the perfect fall flavors to stuff inside tender chicken.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup mushrooms (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh sage
• 2 tbsp poultry seasoning
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Sauté mushrooms and sage in butter.
2. Slice the chicken breasts in half (length-wise), season them, the stuff chicken breasts with the mixture.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes.

Maple Roasted Turkey

Why it’s great for fall: Turkey is the quintessential fall protein, and a maple glaze adds seasonal sweetness and caramelization.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs) (patted dry with paper towels)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp butter (softened)
• 1/2 tbsp of EACH: dried thyme, rosemary, garlic salt
• Kitchen twine (optional; to tie turkey legs)

Instructions:

1. Mix syrup, mustard, and butter, rub on turkey.
2. Roast at 325°F (160°C) for 1hr 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (Cooking time will vary based on the size of your turkey.)

Pumpkin and Lentil Curry

Why it’s great for fall: A warm, hearty dish that combines creamy pumpkin and protein packed lentils in a spiced curry.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 1 onion (diced finely)
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 can coconut milk
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and curry powder.
2. Add lentils, pumpkin, and coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper then simmer for 25 minutes.

Sausage and White Bean Stew

Why it’s great for fall: This rustic dish features hearty beans and savory sausage, perfect for cooler weather.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (sliced)
• 2 cans white beans (drained)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme

Instructions:

1. Brown sausage and onion.
2. Add beans, broth, and thyme, simmer for 30 minutes.

Roasted Duck with Orange Glaze

Why it’s great for fall: Duck has a rich, flavorful meat that pairs well with the brightness of oranges, making it a festive fall dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck (5–6 lbs)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
• Salt pepper

Instructions:

1. Season and roast duck at 375°F (190°C) for 1.5 hours.
2. Reduce orange juice, honey, garlic, and soy sauce to a glaze, brush over duck after roasting.

Maple Balsamic Glazed Salmon

Why it’s great for fall: A simple glaze of maple and balsamic complements the rich flavor of salmon, perfect for a light but comforting dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• Chives (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Mix syrup, vinegar, and mustard, brush on salmon.
2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes

Beef Bourguignon

Why it’s great for fall: This classic French stew of beef, red wine, and vegetables is a perfect slow cooked dish for cool fall days.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)

Instructions:

1. Brown beef, add wine, onion, garlic, carrots, and mushrooms.
2. Simmer on low for 2–3 hours.

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Why it’s great for fall: Pumpkin brings a velvety richness to the Alfredo sauce, making it a perfect fall comfort dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pasta
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Saute garlic, then stir in pasta, cream, pumpkin, and Parmesan.

Roasted Pheasant with Herbs

Why it’s great for fall: Game birds like pheasant are at their best in fall, and roasting them with herbs brings out their natural flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pheasant (about 3 lbs)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
• 2 tbsp butter (softened)

Instructions:

1. Rub pheasant with herbs and butter.
2. Roast at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.

Chicken Pot Pie

Why it’s great for fall: A warm, flaky pot pie packed with chicken and vegetables is the ultimate fall comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, etc.)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 pie crust (store bought or homemade)
• 2 tsp EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, vegetables, seasonings, and broth.
2. Fill pie crust and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa

Why it’s great for fall: Acorn squash, stuffed with quinoa and vegetables, is a filling and healthy fall dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash (halved)
• 1 cup quinoa (cooked)
• Optional toppings, you can switch these out based on preference
  • 1/2 cup cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Roast squash, fill with quinoa, and chosen toppings.

Venison Stew

Why it’s great for fall: Venison, with its earthy, rich flavor, is a great protein for hearty fall stews.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs venison stew meat
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (cubed)
• 3 potatoes (cubed)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cups beef broth

Instructions:

1. Brown the venison on all sides, and onion.
2. Add carrots, potatoes, garlic, and broth. Simmer for 1.5–2 hours.

Turkey Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze

Why it’s great for fall: Ground turkey and a sweettart cranberry glaze add a seasonal twist to classic meatloaf.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup italian breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tbsp ketchup

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, and egg, form into a loaf.
2. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. 
3. Brush with cranberry sauce and ketchup, then bake for 15 more minutes.

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That’s all for now! Be sure to let me know which recipes landed among your favorites below. Thanks for reading~~