5 Fall Recipes: Warm, Autumn Magic to Your Table

🍂 Cozy Fall & Halloween Recipes

1. Pumpkin & Sage Creamy Pasta Bake

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 12 oz penne or rigatoni

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage (plus extra for garnish)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• Salt & black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

4. Stir in pumpkin, cream, broth, nutmeg, lemon juice, and sage. Simmer 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Toss pasta with sauce and half the cheeses. Pour into baking dish, top with remaining cheeses.

6. Bake uncovered 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Garnish with extra sage.

2. Butternut Squash & White Bean Chili

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled & cubed (about 4 cups)

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• 2 (15-oz) cans white beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 (14-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime wedges

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 minutes.

2. Add squash and red pepper; sauté 5 minutes.

3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika; toast spices for 1 minute.

4. Pour in broth, beans, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

5. Cook 25–30 minutes, until squash is tender. Season to taste.

6. Serve with toppings and warm cornbread.

3. Spooky S’mores Skillet Dip

Ingredients (Serves 6–8 for dipping)

• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups mini marshmallows

• Graham crackers, apple slices, or cookies for dipping

• Candy eyeballs (optional for Halloween fun)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a cast-iron skillet, heat cream over low until just simmering. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and vanilla until smooth.

3. Spread chocolate mixture evenly. Top with mini marshmallows.

4. Bake 8–10 minutes, until marshmallows are puffed and golden.

5. Add candy eyes while warm for a spooky look. Serve immediately with dippers.

4. Harvest Apple & Cheddar Hand Pies

Sweet apples meet sharp cheddar for a savory-sweet pastry that’s perfect for fall parties or a Halloween treat.

Ingredients (makes about 8 hand pies)

• 2 cups peeled, diced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work well)

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

• 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust (or homemade)

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. In a bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.

3. Roll out pie crusts slightly and cut into 4-inch circles (or fun Halloween shapes).

4. Place a spoonful of apple mixture and a sprinkle of cheddar in the center of each circle. Fold over and crimp edges with a fork.

5. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

6. Bake 18–20 minutes until golden. Serve warm.

5. Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

Soft, baked donuts infused with apple cider and coated in caramel glaze—ideal for a crisp fall morning.

Ingredients (makes about 12 donuts)

• 1 cup apple cider

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 1 egg

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ½ cup buttermilk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel Glaze

• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 Tbsp heavy cream (to thin if needed)

• Optional: orange or black sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.

2. In a small saucepan, simmer apple cider until reduced to ½ cup. Cool slightly.

3. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

4. In another bowl, beat egg, sugars, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and reduced cider.

5. Fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined.

6. Spoon batter into donut pan and bake 12–14 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Warm caramel sauce with cream to a pourable consistency. Dip cooled donuts into glaze and add sprinkles while still tacky.