The tomatoes and sweet corn of August are making way for the Brussels sprouts, winter squash, apples, and cranberries of fall. It’s that time of year when you crave something a little warmer, a bit cozier, and a smidge heavier than you do during the summer months when fresh, light flavors are all the rage. Soups, stews, chilis, casseroles, and the like all take center stage as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter. Luckily, these sorts of fall recipes also lend themselves perfectly to meal prep. That means you can spend less time standing at your stove and spend more time watching football, peeping at fall foliage, drinking apple cider, and eating all things pumpkin.
Meal prep is especially handy during a busy season like fall, helping you save time during the week without sacrificing cozy, homemade meals. Spend your Sunday prepping a big batch of one of these fall recipes, and you’ll have a whole week’s worth of hearty, delicious lunches or dinners to enjoy.
1. Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Save yourself the $17 and make Sweetgreen’s crowd-favorite Harvest Bowl at home with this recipe. Roast the chicken, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts ahead of time, then prep the rice and creamy balsamic dressing. Store all the components separately to keep things fresh, and then toss everything together when you’re ready to eat.
2. White Chicken Chili
There are two types of people in the fall: those who love classic tomato-based chili and those who prefer a creamy white version. If you’re in the latter category, this recipe is for you. It’s made with a flavorful mix of chicken, green chiles, corn, white beans, and spices, plus sour cream for that delicious creaminess.
3. Cozy Roasted Vegetable Butternut Squash Lasagna
You can’t go wrong with a classic comfort food like lasagna, especially one that’s loaded with delicious fall veggies. Instead of the traditional red sauce, this recipe calls for a creamy, puréed butternut squash mixture that’s lightly flavored with warm fall spices. It adds the perfect autumn twist to this already cozy dish.
4. Sweet Potato Chowder
I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to add more vegetables to my diet, and this chowder recipe is the perfect way to sneak them in. It’s made with carrots, onion, sweet potatoes, and Tuscan kale, plus some crispy pancetta and salted pepitas for a little crunch on top. A little splash of cream in the broth makes it richly creamy and satisfying.
5. Roasted Harvest Bowls With Apple Cider Dressing
I make bowls for dinner almost every weeknight, and this roasted harvest bowl is the latest addition to my lineup. The combination of maple turmeric chicken, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apple, kale, and apple cider vinaigrette brings peak fall energy and tastes so good.
6. Chicken Chili Verde
With plenty of peppers, including poblano and jalapeño, along with cilantro, garlic, cumin, and lime juice, this dish will warm you up on a chilly autumn night. The chicken tastes like it was simmering in the homemade tomatillo sauce all day, but actually, this recipe takes less than an hour from start to finish.
7. Fall Chickpea Salad
Dinner doesn’t get any easier than this fall chickpea salad, making it an excellent option for busy weeknights. Combining apple, dried cranberries, pecans, red onion, and feta cheese, this recipe packs a lot of flavor while still keeping things light. Just be sure to leave out the avocado until you’re ready to serve to ensure peak freshness.
8. Sheet Pan Hot Honey Mustard Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts
This recipe features oven-fried chicken drenched in a hot honey mustard sauce, served alongside crispy Brussels sprouts for a warm, filling dinner. It takes only 40 minutes from prep to table, delivering a meal that tastes like it took all day to make but is actually perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
9. Roasted Vegetable Bowls With Green Tahini
Vegetables don’t have to be boring, and this recipe proves it. These bowls feature a medley of roasted vegetables with a soft-boiled egg and avocado, all covered in a homemade green tahini dressing. It’s a delicious way to load up on both protein and veggies.
10. Sunday Chili
Nothing says fall like a steaming bowl of homemade chili, and this recipe will be your go-to all season long. It is fully loaded with yummy ingredients, has just the right amount of kick, and keeps well in the freezer. You’ll crave it constantly all season.
11. Fall Farmers’ Market Salad
This farmer’s market salad makes the most of fall produce with pomegranates and persimmons, both of which taste delicious alongside candied walnuts and crumbled goat cheese. Add some protein to enjoy it as an entrée, or serve it as a side salad with another dish.
12. Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Crispy Chickpeas
This recipe is warm, comforting, and healthy, thanks to creamy coconut milk, lentils, and lots of veggies. You can make it on the stove or in an Instant Pot in under an hour. Plus, the curry is made all in one pot, meaning fewer dishes to clean once you’re done cooking—who doesn’t love that?
13. Sweet Potato Pasta with Brussels Sprouts
Sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, and sage—this pasta is basically fall in a dish. It’s also perfect for meal prep, as you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, use a large saucepan over medium-low heat, adding additional broth as needed, or warm it up in the microwave until heated through. You can also freeze the pasta in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before eating.
14. Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs
This delicious maple Dijon chicken meal prep recipe is perfect for those trying to get their budget in check this fall, coming in at only $2.45 per meal. Plus, it’s just as tasty as it is affordable.
15. Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta
It doesn’t get better than this rich, creamy roasted garlic butternut squash pasta. The flavors are so vibrant, and every bite tastes like fall.
16. Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies with Balsamic Glaze
Sheet pan meal prep recipes are the ultimate busy-girl hack. They get dinner done quickly, last for multiple meals, and leave you with minimal dirty dishes. This recipe elevates classic chicken and veggies with a mouthwatering sweet and tangy balsamic glaze, finished off with a sprinkling of crumbled bacon.
17. Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
This slow-cooker recipe is just the kind of meal you crave when the weather starts to cool down. White wine, creamy Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, and orzo come together to create a restaurant-worthy dish. You can also keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days.
18. Butternut Squash Pasta with Chili Oil, Feta, and Mint
With butternut squash, feta, and mint, this bright pasta is perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. The zestiness of mint, lemon, and feta seamlessly blends summer vibes with the fall flavors of butternut squash and hazelnuts.
19. Vegetarian Enchiladas With Butternut Squash and Black Beans
The words “freezer-friendly” are music to my ears in a recipe because I know it will come in handy when the last thing I want to do is cook. This butternut squash filling is a fantastic meatless alternative, tasting just as good as a non-vegetarian option.
20. Healthy Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
You can’t go wrong with sausage and veggies for dinner, especially when the recipe includes colorful vegetables like red and yellow bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. This fall meal prep recipe ensures you have tasty, healthy dinners to eat all week long.
21. Apple Sage Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs have a hint of sweetness from apples and some classic fall flavor from the sage. Serve them over butternut squash or sweet potato noodles to lean into the autumn vibes, or with rice or traditional spaghetti for a more classic dinner.
22. Garlic Butter Chicken Meatball Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
This fall version of spaghetti and meatballs might just become your new go-to weeknight meal. Spaghetti squash is roasted with creamy béchamel sauce, homemade chicken meatballs, and roasted garlic—all made on one sheet pan for super easy clean-up.
23. Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts
Often overshadowed by fan-favorite fall produce like pumpkin and apples, pears are an incredible fall fruit. This recipe lets pear shine in all its autumnal glory, and you’ll want to make it again and again. To make this recipe meal prep-friendly, prep your dressing and toppings ahead of time, then store everything separately until you’re ready to eat.
24. Sweet Potato Hash Protein Bowl
Protein is all the rage these days, and if you want to hit your protein goals, this sweet potato hash is the perfect way to start your morning. It requires only five ingredients, packs 16 grams of protein, and can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
25. Fall Mason Jar Salad
Mason jar salads are an easy solution for office lunches or on-the-go dinners when you’re too busy to sit down at the table. This hearty salad features fresh fall vegetables and white beans for protein, finished with a maple cider vinaigrette.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
