These easy recipes are perfect for embracing autumn
When the cooler nights of September start to roll in, thoughts of cosy evenings with bowls of pasta on the sofa come with them. The falling leaves and darker nights signal a slowing down of the rush of summer parties and long evening get-togethers (although excitement is building for nights huddled over glasses of red and a saucy one-pot dish on the table), which calls for a new roster of recipes to get us through the changing seasons.
Read on for suggestions on what to cook when you're busy with back-to-school life (our pick is a mushroom and taleggio bake), the perfect dish for feeding friends (our one-pot chicken and sweetcorn risotto) or batch cooking for the freezer.
Our best autumnal recipes
Pork and mushroom meatballs with butterbean mash
Blitz pork mince with earthy mushrooms for gorgeous flavourful meatballs in this easy recipe. Served with a creamy sauce and butterbean mash, it's nourishing comfort food done right.
One-pot chicken and sweetcorn risotto
Swap out your traditional Sunday roast for this all-in-one roast chicken risotto. The chicken juices add so much flavour to the arborio base, and the seasonal sweetcorn brings out the sweetness in the meat.
Spiced parsnip soup with kale pesto
Soup season is finally upon us, and what better recipe to start with than this gorgeously spiced parsnip soup. The additional zesty kale pesto adds freshness and flavour to every mouthful.
Beef shin ragu with pappardelle
As summer get-togethers start to slow down, spend a Sunday simmering this beef shin ragu over a low heat. The reward? A silky sauce for your favourite pasta - ours is pappardelle.
Mushroom, leek and cabbage dumplings
Who knew cabbage leaves could be so tasty? Use them to make these earthy leek and mushroom dumplings with a soy dipping sauce. They're naturally gluten-free, too.
Parmesan roast potatoes
Falling leaves means one thing for weekend cooking - roast potatoes. Swap buttered summery new potatoes for these pleasingly crunchy parmesan roasties.
Savoy cabbage with bacon, shallots and chestnut mushrooms
Give seasonal cabbage a lift by stir-frying it with juicy bacon pieces, sweet shallots and chestnut mushrooms. Add a crispy fried egg and it's the perfect brunch for misty autumn mornings.
Lasagne soup
Turn the comfort food favourite into an easy weeknight meal with this recipe for lasagne soup. No layering or baking needed - a busy woman's dream.
French onion hot dogs
If you're planning a bonfire night party, these French onion soup-inspired hot dogs should absolutely be on the menu. Classic frankfurters paired with sticky caramelised onions and nutty Comté is a combination kids and adults alike will love.
Mushroom gnocchi bake with taleggio
On the table in just 25 minutes, this sticky, gooey gnocchi dish will be on our permanent weeknight meal rotation throughout autumn. Using oyster mushrooms and taleggio instead of button mushrooms and mozzarella elevates this dish far beyond your usual pasta bake.
Chicken noodle soup
On cooler days, it's hard to beat a brothy chicken soup for lunch or dinner. This one uses star anise, peppercorns and fennel seeds for delicious aromatic effect. Serve with your favourite green veg, eggs and seasonal sweetcorn for extra nourishment.
Pork and mushroom stroganoff
Use pork fillet in this recipe to get the most tender, creamy result. Paired with rice and plenty of fresh chopped parsley, this makes a brilliant batch cook dish for back-to-school (or work) days.
Hasselback butternut squash with feta and pomegranate
Butternut squash is the star vegetable of autumn, so make the most of its glorious season by making this pretty hasselback squash recipe. The thin slices of squash are marinated in sweet and spicy harissa before being roasted and topped with feta, toasted almonds and pomegranate in this vegetarian show stopper.
Mushrooms and roasted cherry tomatoes on toast
A simple breakfast, lunch or lazy dinner, roasted tomatoes and butter-drenched mushrooms on toast is always a winner. Use the best quality ingredients you can find for this simple yet completely delicious dish.
Chilli baked bean dip
In our eyes, no bonfire night feast is complete without this spicy baked bean dip. Load with soured cream and fresh coriander and use thick sourdough slices for dunking.
One-pot sausage pasta
Nothing says 'autumn' like a one-pot pasta dish. It's that cosy autumnal feeling in a dish, and makes the perfect meal for friends (or just you) on the sofa. The dollop of mascarpone really makes this dish, so don't skip it!
Nut roast gallette
While you might reserve nut roasts for Sunday lunch, this galette is worthy of a place on your table all week long. Made with mushrooms and plenty of woody herbs and nuts, it's a savoury dream that's as delicious cold for lunch as it is hot.
Cauliflower miso-otto with kale and crispy sage
Miso isn't just for glazing fish and veggies. In fact, it makes the most delicious stock for a super savoury risotto. Starring golden roasted cauliflower and crispy sage leaves, it's an autumnal wonder you'll turn to often over the cooler months.
Pierogi
This famous Polish dish is quite possibly the most comforting dumpling recipe out there. Made with potatoes, cheese and onions, they're more simple than you'd think to make, and are complete magic served with a soured cream and chive dip.
Honey roasted squash with lentil hummus
Pair sweet and spicy seasonal roasted squash (delica is the best variety of squash if you can get it) with a creamy lentil hummus for the best lunch or sharing platter at your next dinner party. Top with quick pickled onions for a bright pop of acidity.
Roast pork belly
When Sunday roast season is upon us once more, there's no better sight than crispy crackling on roast pork belly. Our recipe is your ultimate guide to creating the flavoursome magic at home.
Venison curry
You might not know that venison season begins in late September, and so autumn is the best time to enjoy this complex and delicious meat. In this curry, the depth of flavour is heightened by a warming sauce, and complimented by a cooling yoghurt dip.
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