31 Recipes You Should Make This October

published Oct 3, 2023
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Snickerdoodle Blondies on baking sheet.
Credit: Kelli Foster

Cooking in October should be pure fun. Crisp apples and colorful root veggies are at their peak, it’s cool enough for pots of chili to simmer away on the stove, and Halloween festivities give everyone something to look forward to. To embrace everything this month has to offer, we’ve rounded up the dishes we’re currently craving, from creamy tortellini soup to roasted miso-maple chicken. 

1 / 31
Chile Colorado

"This chile colorado will help me use up my stash of dried chiles, and I can't wait for all its stewy goodness," says Senior Recipe Editor, Christine.

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2 / 31
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Perfect for chilly weather, this vegetarian soup has a creamy tomato-based broth loaded with tender tortellini and spinach.
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3 / 31
Halloween Snack Board

This snack board works as an appetizer for your Halloween party or an easy dinner to serve before trick-or-treating.

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4 / 31
One-Pan Miso Butter Chicken and Cabbage Recipe
What it lacks in dirty dishes, this chicken and cabbage dinner more than makes up for with its overload of umami.
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5 / 31
How To Make Pumpkin Soup in 20 Minutes

This is officially the easiest (and tastiest) pumpkin soup, thanks to a can of pumpkin and classic fall spices.

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6 / 31
Jamaican Curry Chicken

"I made curry chicken for the first time and I’m happy to report it was kid-approved and has been added to our dinner rotation," says Senior Food Editor, Kristina. "It also made my kitchen smell incredible, which my neighbor, who had stopped by, commented on."

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7 / 31
Chewy Snickerdoodle Blondies
The chewy texture you expect from a blondie partnered with the sweet, slightly tangy flavor and cinnamon-sugar coating essential to a good snickerdoodle.
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8 / 31
Pumpkin Spice Frozen Latte Recipe

If you prefer iced coffee to hot coffee no matter the season, this blended frozen coffee drink — flavored with pumpkin spice and pumpkin purée — has your name all over it.

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9 / 31
Brown Butter Butternut Squash Pasta Salad Recipe
Whether you eat it warm, cold, or at room temperature, this butternut squash pasta salad is perfect for any occasion.
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10 / 31
No-Bake Caramel Apple Delight

"I’m pretty new to the world of no-bake desserts and this is such a delicious fall treat," says Senior Food Editor, Kristina.

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11 / 31
Melted Cabbage
Cabbage wedges are seared, then baked until the leaves become meltingly tender and caramelized just enough around the edges.
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12 / 31
Super-Soft Pumpkin Cookies

"Everyone is making Kelli’s super-soft pumpkin cookies, and it’s about time I did too," says Recipe Director, Lauren.

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13 / 31
How To Make Candy Corn Recipe
With our step-by-step guide, recreating the Halloween treat is so easy it'll spook you.
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14 / 31
One-Pan Chicken & Potatoes

"We’ll never get tired of chicken and potatoes in my house, and I’m super excited to try Rachel’s lemony take," says Recipe Director, Lauren.

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15 / 31
Ghost Cookies Recipe
Cut-out sugar cookies are covered in royal icing for a fun, spooky Halloween treat.
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16 / 31
Cinnamon Pumpkin Scones

"I'm giving Patty's chocolate chips scones a break (just for this month) to make these pumpkin ones — they are my sister's favorite," says Senior Groceries Editor, Mara.

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17 / 31
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are made with canned pumpkin and warm baking spices.

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18 / 31
Jambalaya

"It's been gray and rainy FOR DAYS and all I want is to sink into the sofa with a bowl of this and catch up on Housewives," says Senior Groceries Editor, Mara. "Plus, lunch leftovers for the week!"

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19 / 31
Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe
These extra-fluffy pancakes are loaded with real pumpkin, buttermilk, and sweet spices. Bonus points if you serve them with pumpkin spice syrup.
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20 / 31
Hotteok

"I really love Justine’s hotteok recipe," says Culinary Producer James. "It’s a perfect not-too-sweet fall recipe to make."

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21 / 31
Roasted Miso-Maple Chicken Recipe
A sweet and savory miso-maple marinade glazes this easy roasted chicken to perfection.
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22 / 31
One-Pot Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

"I love a good tuna casserole and have been dying to try Christine's one-pot version," says Culinary Producer Kelli. "It looks so creamy and comforting."

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23 / 31
German Apple Pancake Recipe

With puffed edges, a custardy center, and caramelized apples, this will become an instant brunch favorite.

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24 / 31
Beef Tips and Gravy

"I can’t wait to make these beef tips and gravy from Patty!" says Associate Culinary Producer, Nicole. "The photos look so good."

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25 / 31
Easy Baked Chicken Thighs

"Sheela's baked chicken thighs will be a staple in my meal plan rotation this month," says Culinary Producer Kelli. "I've been in a serious chicken rut and this simple recipe is exactly what I've needed! It's super low-effort, hands-off cooking, with five minutes of prep and packed with flavor — and my whole family eats this chicken (that's the biggest win)."

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26 / 31
Quick Brussels Sprouts Kimchi
This fresh kimchi doesn’t need to be fermented and only takes about 20 minutes to make.
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27 / 31
French Onion Dip Mashed Potatoes
Stir onion soup mix and sour cream into mashed potatoes for an easy side dish that will outshine the main course.
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28 / 31
Harvest Manhattan Cocktail
This fall-inspired cocktail adds pumpkin pie spice and apple cider to a classic Manhattan.
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29 / 31
Dorie Greenspan’s Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good

"I can’t let a Halloween go by without making Dorie’s stuffed pumpkin!" says Senior Contributing Editor, Sheela.

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30 / 31
Gnocchi Aglio e Olio
This crispy, pan-fried gnocchi is tossed with spicy garlic oil and arugula to make a complete one-pan meal.
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31 / 31
Creamy Rigatoni with Crispy Chickpeas, Spinach, and Lemony Panko
A combination of heavy cream and chicken broth creates a delicious foundation for spicy chili crisp, resulting in a layered, savory sauce — without being overly spicy.
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