The 31 Best Things to Cook This October

updated Sep 30, 2020

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Credit: Angela Chung

Even though fall began last month, it often feels like October is the true beginning of the season. I’m pulling out cozy sweaters once again and grabbing a jacket and beanie when I head outdoors. Plus the crisp chill in the air and changing jewel-toned leaves fills me with excitement for roasting root vegetables, baking with warm spices, filling my meal plan with hearty breakfasts and impossibly comforting dinners.

I feel like I’ve been saying this every month since March, but this October already feels so different than years past. For starters, there’s Halloween (or, rather, the lack thereof). To be honest it’s not a day I used to get excited about, but this year the lack of festivities has me leaning into at-home celebrations and treats with full force. In addition to a themed snack board, I’ll be making a candy-filled sweet and salty snack mix, and brownies topped with pumpkin candies.

Even if school has been back in swing (whatever that looks like where you are) for a while, there’s a good chance you’re still adjusting and doing your best every day to make all the things work. It’s a lot. Keeping a reliable roster of easy weeknight dinners, slow cooker meals, and make-ahead breakfasts on hand is one helpful strategy many of us are following. And if you’re as excited about the return of football season as Deputy Food Director, Grace, you’re going to need some game-day food like chili, restaurant-style nachos, and baba ghanoush for dipping.

From pumpkin bread and hearty breakfast casseroles to slow cooker stews and cozy one-pot pastas, here are 31 of our favorite fall recipes to inspire your cooking all month long.

1 / 31

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

If you bake just one thing with pumpkin this month, let it be this Starbucks-inspired quick bread. I guarantee you won't regret it! And unlike most recipes, this one uses a whole can of pumpkin.

2 / 31

How To Make Soft Pretzels

Food Editor Meghan has soft pretzels at the top of her list. "I know Ocktoberfest was canceled last month, but I still want to eat fluffy pretzels with good sausage and mustard and a cold beer, like ASAP."

3 / 31

Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Let October be the month you bring cheesy egg casseroles back into your breakfast routine. Sour cream makes this version better than the rest, adding a richness that prevents the eggs from becoming too dry during baking.

4 / 31

Vegetarian Chili

The return of football season means every Sunday involves chili and cornbread for Deputy Food Director, Grace. She plans to keep riffing on this vegetarian chili based on what veggies and beans she's got on hand.

5 / 31

Sticky Spiked Double-Apple Cake with a Brown Sugar-Brandy Sauce

This is an oldie, but a goodie! Faith recently did an IG story about this cake which left Senior Contributing Food Editor, Sheela, with an "I-need-this-now moment." I recommend you join Sheela in baking up this sweet treat.

6 / 31

Savory Stuffed Pumpkin with Sausage and Gruyère

Sheela is also quick to add that she cannot let October go by without making a stuffed pumpkin for dinner. This version, stuffed with a super savory and cheesy bread pudding, is her favorite.

7 / 31

The Ultimate Fall Salad

This roasty, toasty salad celebrates everything you love about autumn. It's packed with squash, apples, and chewy farro and tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette — and it's the first thing Features Director, Arie, will be making this month.

8 / 31

Slow Cooker Pork & Cider Stew

As soon as fall rolls in, I look forward to making this seasonal stew more than anything else. It's decidedly savory, but carries a hint of sweetness from apple cider plus a couple chopped apples and a welcome tang of grainy mustard. Definitely serve this with crusty bread, rice, or noodles to mop up every last drop of the sauce.

9 / 31

Pumpkin Patch Brownies

With most Halloween festivities canceled, I've been feeling like I want to lean into making fun treats at home even more, starting with these candy-topped brownies. These chewy chocolate brownies are topped with toasted coconut "hay" and candy pumpkins for a fun and festive fall treat.

10 / 31

Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

When you need a family-friendly dinner that's equal parts comforting and super easy (while also keeping dirty dishes to a minimum!), this is the recipe to lean on again and again.

11 / 31

Easy, Classic Roasted Root Vegetables

All the usual fall suspects — carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, and rutabagas — are back at the market. Here's your simple formula for roasting any mix of them. It's a good idea to bookmark this one, so you can keep coming back to it all through fall and winter.

12 / 31

Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Chilly fall mornings mean the return of hot oatmeal for breakfast — and we especially love using the slow cooker for it. Drop everything in before bed and, come morning you've got breakfast waiting for you.

13 / 31

Barbecue Turkey Meatloaf

If a dinner that's meaty and comforting is what you're after this month, go for turkey meatloaf. Using barbecue sauce ensures that this version is tender, juicy, and packed with a ton of flavor.

14 / 31

One-Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Studio Food Editor Jesse is a proud member of team "pumpkin in everything." And as a testament to just how impossibly delicious this 15-minute pantry dinner is, it's the number-one thing he's cooking again this month.

15 / 31

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

Whether you're watching the game at home or just need a quick dinner the whole family is guaranteed to devour, these restaurant-style nachos are your go-to recipe.

16 / 31

Halloween Snack Mix

Since we won't be eating our way through leftover candy this year, I'm keeping a batch of this sweet and savory snack mix on hand instead.

17 / 31

Rustic Pear and Apple Galette

If you're craving apple pie, but don't have it in you to make a pie, this is your perfect solution. Galettes are basically pie's lazier and equally delicious cousin. The crust comes together in the food processor, although you can very easily use a box of refrigerated pie crust instead and roll it out.

18 / 31

Lifestyle Director, Lisa, is leaning into the comfort of carbs and cheese with a simple beef and cheese lasagna this month. She hopes you follow her lead.

19 / 31

Roasted Cabbage with Mustard Vinaigrette

If you're all about cabbage come fall, you've got to keep this goes-with-everything side dish in your dinner roster.

20 / 31

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

This is your friendly reminder that roasting isn't the only way to get Brussels sprouts on the table. Try shifting gears and using shredded sprouts for a fun and easy riff on Caesar salad.

21 / 31

Carrot Cake Scones with Spiced Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

"I'm so ready to eat something new at breakfast since banana bread boredom has set in with a vengeance," says Contributing Editor, Patty. She's got her eye on these carrot cake scones because they have all of the warm fall spices she loves, plus a maple glaze.

22 / 31

Creamy One-Pot Butternut Squash Pasta with White Beans and Kale

This 30-minute vegetarian dinner is packed with protein, thanks to a can of white beans a dollop of Greek yogurt. It cooks all in one pot (sauce and all!), making for easy cleanup.

23 / 31

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Pulling out your slow cooker more and more these days? You've got to add this saucy chicken dinner to your meal plan.

24 / 31

Grilled Bread Dressing with Cranberries and Leeks

Whether you're celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving, or just making bread dressing as a weeknight side, try this version which starts by grilling the bread.

25 / 31

Lifestyle Editor, Lauren Masur, is kicking off the month by roasting an eggplant to make this ultra-creamy dip.

26 / 31

Sausage and Lentil Soup

Studio Food Editor Amelia is ready for all things lentil this month, and has her sights set on this big-batch drop dinner.

27 / 31

Gingered Hot Cider

Give that apple cider in your fridge an upgrade. All you need is a tea bag.

28 / 31

Warm Sesame Brussels Sprouts and Lentil Salad

Thin shavings of Brussels sprouts and nutty lentils are tossed in a creamy sesame dressing for an easy, no-wilt lunch.

29 / 31

Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

Later this month when you're wondering what to do with that butternut squash, remember that this salad is waiting for you. It works as a warm side dish or chilled make-ahead lunch, and keeps for days in the fridge.

30 / 31

Pressure Cooker Beef Pho (phở bò nấu nồi áp suất)

Once October starts, Food Editor-at-Large, Christine, says it's time for soup. And above all else, she can't wait to get out her pressure cooker to make a big batch of beef pho.

31 / 31

This is a simple and straight-forward crumble that really lets peak-season apples shine, and it's at the top of Managing Editor, Lauren Kodiak's, list of must-make October recipes. She subs gluten-free all-purpose flour for the regular flour here and it works perfectly.

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