Healthier Fall Recipes (2024)

When the air is crisp and the leaves start to fall, you'll love recipes that showcase the season's best flavors and produce. Start your perfect fall menu with one of these options or visit the complete collection from Cooking Light for more ideas.

Butternut-Cauliflower-Coconut Curry

Healthier Fall Recipes (1)A range of textures—crunchy peas, tender vegetables, and silky coconut broth—makes this main dish incredibly satisfying. The chickpea mixture can also be a delicious gluten-free snack: After baking, toss with a little kosher salt, ground cumin, and ground red pepper. Store in an airtight container for three days.

INGREDIENTS

1 (15-oz.) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

3/4 cup chopped yellow onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder

1 cup cubed peeled butternut squash

1 cup fresh cauliflower florets

1 cup diced red potatoes

4 cups unsalted vegetable stock

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup light coconut milk

Lime wedges (optional)

PREPARATION

Serves 4

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

  2. Place chickpeas on a rimmed baking sheet; pat dry. Add 1 tablespoon oil to chickpeas; toss to coat. Spread chickpeas in an even layer on pan. Bake at 450°F for 30 minutes. Add green peas to pan; bake at 450°F for 5 minutes or until chickpeas and green peas are crisp.

  3. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil; swirl to coat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add flour and curry powder; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until flour begins to brown, stirring constantly. Stir in butternut squash, cauliflower, and potatoes. Add vegetable stock, pepper, and salt; bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

  4. Remove pan from heat; stir in coconut milk. Place about 1 1/2 cups vegetable mixture in each of 4 bowls; top each serving with about 1/3 cup chickpea mixture. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Source: Cooking Light October 2016

Total per serving: Calories - 358;Fat 14.6g;Protein 12g;Carbohydrate 49g;Fiber 9g;Sodium 557mg;Sugars 5g

Chicken and Gnocchi Dumpling Soup

Healthier Fall Recipes (2)Homey and hearty chicken and dumplings has never been faster or easier, thanks to store-bought gnocchi. Browned bits from the seared chicken thighs create a rich base for the soup, while carrots and peas provide texture and fresh veggies to the soup. This kid-friendly soup is perfect for a weeknight dinner, and leftovers can be packed for lunch tomorrow

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 1/2 cups chopped red onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped carrot

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

5 cups unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson), divided

8 ounces whole-wheat gnocchi (such as Gia Russa)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup frozen green peas

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION

Serves 6

  1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add chicken to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from pan.

  2. Add onion, celery, carrot, rosemary, and thyme to pan; cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 4 cups stock, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes. Add gnocchi to pan; cook 3 minutes or until gnocchi float to the surface.

  3. Combine remaining 1 cup stock and flour in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Slowly add stock mixture to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in chicken and peas; cook 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.

Source: Cooking Light September 2016
Total per serving:Calories 224;Fat 5.2g;Protein 19g;Carbohydrate 24g;Fiber 5g;Cholesterol 54mg;Sodium 515mg;Sugars 5g

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The Healthier Recipe of the Month is a feature primarily intended to provide accessible recipe options for those who may not have previously focused on healthy eating and aren't sure where to start or those who are looking to make incremental changes in their eating habits and overall dietary choices. These recipes are provided for educational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional health or dietary advice. Most recipes can be modified to substitute ingredients more appropriate for your personal dietary needs and preferences, particularly if your physician or dietician recommends avoiding particular foods.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider (such as a dietitian) with any questions regarding a nutritional or other eating issue. Never disregard advice or treatment received from a health professional.

Healthier Fall Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What food is good in autumn? ›

Root vegetables: carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potato. Whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, oats and millet. Legumes: beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans. Green vegetables: broccoli, spinach, kale, celery, rocket and artichokes.

What foods do people eat in the fall? ›

I have apples, winter squash, pumpkin, cinnamon, candy, pies, chiles, cheese, caramel, chocolate, brussels sprouts, figs, pomegranates, a roast, pastas galore, chips, dips and breakfasts… basically my 75 favorite fall foods. If you are one of those lucky ones still sweating your butt off, congratulations!

What meat is best in fall? ›

The Best Meats For Warming Autumn Dishes
  • Whole Duck. Duck is extremely nutritious, rich in flavour and is a great take on the traditional roast dinner. ...
  • Beef Mince. There is nothing like cooking a delicious and comforting food in these colder, darker nights. ...
  • Beef Sirloin Joint. ...
  • Chicken Breast. ...
  • Pork Loin. ...
  • Pheasant Brace.
Sep 1, 2022

What food do humans crave most in the fall? ›

“Fresh produce is always better for you than canned, but possibly more importantly, fruits and vegetables hit peak flavor when that crop is in season,” said Sara Berzofsky (M. Ed, M.S. Nutrition) of Newtritionalyou.com. “Fall is the season for apples, cranberries, and pumpkins.

What foods are best in October? ›

There's root veg, stone fruits, pumpkins and berries, plus poultry and meat such as grouse and venison. Settle into autumn with the very best of seasonal produce. We're making the most of pumpkin, beetroot, pears and more.

What foods to eat in October? ›

It's nearing time to embrace the fruits (and veggies) of autumn. Yes, the beautiful apples, pears, pumpkins, and persimmons — they're all at their peak in October. Okay, time's a-wasting, let's get to the recipes before the calendar turns.

What is the most famous food in the autumn months? ›

Top 10 most popular autumn recipes
  • Pumpkin soup. Food doesn't get much more autumnal than pumpkin. ...
  • Pumpkin pie. ...
  • Best apple crumble. ...
  • Butternut squash & sage risotto. ...
  • Dorset apple cake. ...
  • Coconut & squash dhansak. ...
  • Squidgy pear & chocolate pudding.
Oct 4, 2023

What do people crave in the fall? ›

Interestingly, as appetizing as orange is, there aren't many foods that are themselves orange, aside from sweet potato fries or select fruits and veggies. Perhaps that's why we are so collectively obsessed with pumpkin everything this time of year. Especially pumpkin pie. Red is the color that makes fall stand out.

What fruits and vegetables are good for fall? ›

Fall
  • Apples.
  • Apples.
  • Bananas.
  • Beets.
  • Bell Peppers.
  • Broccoli.
  • Brussels Sprouts.
  • Cabbage.

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