Cozy, comforting, delicious! These best fall September dinners are simple meals that bring big smiles — perfect for busy fall days, with easy ingredients the whole family loves.
Browse the Recipes
- Beef Rigatoni Bake
- Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
- Beef Chili with Cheese
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Glazed Meatballs over Rice
- Beef Chow Mein
- Roasted Chicken and Potatoes Tray
- Creamy Beef and Green Beans with Rice
- Cheesy Orzo Skillet
- Cheesy Chicken Lasagna Bake
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Baked Ziti
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Taco Casserole
- Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Chicken Alfredo Bake
- Sloppy Joes
- Meatball Subs
- Chicken Parmesan
- Beef Enchiladas
- Sausage and Peppers
- BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Beef Stroganoff
- Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Turkey Meatballs
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Fall Dinner Success Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
From the PinThe Star Dishes
Beef Rigatoni Bake
Cheesy + Hearty + Crowd Pleaser
Rigatoni tossed with savory ground beef sauce and baked under melted cheese.
You need: rigatoni, ground beef, marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic
Make it: Cook the rigatoni. Brown the beef with garlic and stir in marinara. Toss with pasta, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Pizza Night + Baked + Kid Approved
All the pizza flavors baked into a bubbly pasta casserole.
You need: penne, pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian seasoning
Make it: Cook the penne. Mix with pizza sauce, pepperoni and half the cheese. Top with more cheese and pepperoni, then bake until golden.
Beef Chili with Cheese
Thick + Spicy + Loaded
Thick beef and bean chili loaded with cheddar and sour cream.
You need: ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cheddar, sour cream
Make it: Brown the beef with onion. Add beans, tomatoes and chili powder and simmer 30 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and sour cream.
Ground Beef Tacos
Taco Tuesday + Quick + Fresh
Seasoned beef tacos with peppers, sour cream and lime.
You need: flour tortillas, ground beef, taco seasoning, bell peppers, sour cream, lime
Make it: Brown the beef with taco seasoning. Saute the peppers. Fill warm tortillas and top with peppers, sour cream and lime.
Glazed Meatballs over Rice
Sticky + Savory + Sweet
Glossy honey-soy meatballs with green onions over fluffy rice.
You need: beef meatballs, soy sauce, honey, garlic, white rice, green onions
Make it: Bake the meatballs. Simmer soy sauce, honey and garlic into a glaze. Toss the meatballs in the glaze and serve over rice.
Beef Chow Mein
Slurpy + Savory + Fast
Stir-fried noodles with tender beef and crisp vegetables.
You need: chow mein noodles, beef strips, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce
Make it: Sear the beef in a hot wok. Stir-fry the vegetables. Toss with cooked noodles and soy sauce.
Roasted Chicken and Potatoes Tray
One Pan + Golden + Simple
Golden chicken pieces roasted with potatoes and carrots on one tray.
You need: chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots, olive oil, mixed herbs
Make it: Toss everything with oil, salt and herbs on a sheet pan. Roast until golden and cooked through. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Creamy Beef and Green Beans with Rice
Comfort + Creamy + One Pan
Beef and green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce over rice.
You need: beef strips, green beans, mushrooms, cream, white rice
Make it: Sear the beef. Saute mushrooms and green beans. Add cream and simmer. Serve over rice.
Cheesy Orzo Skillet
Creamy + Cheesy + One Skillet
Creamy parmesan orzo made in a single skillet.
You need: orzo, chicken broth, butter, garlic, parmesan
Make it: Toast the orzo in butter and garlic. Add broth gradually, stirring. Stir in parmesan until creamy.
Cheesy Chicken Lasagna Bake
Bubbly + Cheesy + Comfort
Layers of chicken, ricotta and marinara under a bubbly cheese top.
You need: lasagna noodles, shredded chicken, ricotta, marinara, mozzarella
Make it: Layer noodles with chicken, ricotta and marinara. Top with mozzarella. Bake until bubbly and golden.
Cozy CasserolesBake and Relax
Shepherd’s Pie
Golden Mash + Savory + Classic
Savory beef and vegetables under a golden mashed potato crust.
You need: ground beef, peas, carrots, onion, mashed potatoes
Make it: Brown the beef with onion, peas and carrots. Spread in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and bake until golden.
Chicken Pot Pie
Flaky + Creamy + Cozy
Creamy chicken and vegetable filling under a flaky golden crust.
You need: cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, pie crust, cream, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer the chicken and vegetables in a creamy broth. Pour into a pie dish. Top with crust and bake until golden.
Baked Ziti
Bubbly + Cheesy + Crowd Pleaser
Ziti baked with sausage marinara and three cheeses.
You need: ziti, Italian sausage, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan
Make it: Cook the ziti. Brown the sausage and stir in marinara. Layer with cheeses and bake until bubbly.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Creamy + Easy + Dump and Bake
Chicken and rice baked creamy with a golden cheese top.
You need: chicken breasts, long grain rice, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, cheddar
Make it: Mix everything in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake. Uncover, top with cheese, and bake until golden.
Tater Tot Casserole
Crispy + Cheesy + Kid Favorite
Crispy tater tots over a cheesy beef and green bean filling.
You need: ground beef, tater tots, cheddar, cream of mushroom soup, green beans
Make it: Brown the beef and mix with soup and green beans. Top with tater tots. Bake until the tots are crisp and golden.
Taco Casserole
Layered + Spicy + Fun
Layers of seasoned beef, tortilla chips and melted cheese.
You need: ground beef, taco seasoning, tortilla chips, salsa, cheddar
Make it: Brown the beef with taco seasoning and salsa. Layer with chips and cheese in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly.
Lasagna Roll-Ups
Fun + Cheesy + Portion Perfect
Lasagna noodles rolled with ricotta and spinach in marinara.
You need: lasagna noodles, ricotta, spinach, marinara, mozzarella
Make it: Spread ricotta and spinach on cooked noodles and roll up. Arrange in a baking dish with marinara. Top with mozzarella and bake.
Chicken Alfredo Bake
Creamy + Rich + Comfort
Penne and chicken baked in creamy alfredo with a golden top.
You need: penne, cooked chicken, alfredo sauce, mozzarella, garlic bread
Make it: Cook the penne. Toss with chicken and alfredo sauce. Top with mozzarella and bake until golden. Serve with garlic bread.
Family ClassicsTried and True Favorites
Sloppy Joes
Messy + Sweet + Nostalgic
Sweet and tangy beef piled on toasted buns.
You need: ground beef, ketchup, brown sugar, onion, burger buns
Make it: Brown the beef with onion. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Simmer 15 minutes and pile onto toasted buns.
Meatball Subs
Melty + Saucy + Satisfying
Meatballs in marinara with melted mozzarella in toasted rolls.
You need: beef meatballs, sub rolls, marinara, mozzarella
Make it: Warm the meatballs in marinara. Fill toasted rolls. Top with mozzarella and broil until melty.
Chicken Parmesan
Crispy + Cheesy + Italian
Crispy breaded chicken topped with marinara and melted mozzarella.
You need: chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, marinara, mozzarella, spaghetti
Make it: Bread the chicken and pan-fry until crisp. Top with marinara and mozzarella and broil. Serve over spaghetti.
Beef Enchiladas
Rolled + Saucy + Fiesta
Beef-filled tortillas baked in red sauce with melted cheese.
You need: flour tortillas, ground beef, enchilada sauce, cheddar, sour cream
Make it: Fill tortillas with seasoned beef and roll up. Cover with enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake and serve with sour cream.
Sausage and Peppers
Savory + Colorful + Easy
Italian sausage with sweet peppers and onions in crusty rolls.
You need: Italian sausage, bell peppers, onion, marinara, hoagie rolls
Make it: Brown the sausage. Saute the peppers and onion. Combine with a splash of marinara and pile into rolls.
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Sticky + Smoky + Finger Licking
Oven-baked drumsticks brushed with sweet smoky BBQ sauce.
You need: chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Make it: Season the drumsticks and bake. Brush with BBQ sauce twice in the last 15 minutes. Broil for sticky edges.
Beef Stroganoff
Creamy + Tender + Russian Classic
Tender beef strips in creamy mushroom sauce over egg noodles.
You need: beef strips, mushrooms, onion, sour cream, egg noodles
Make it: Sear the beef. Saute mushrooms and onion. Stir in sour cream and simmer. Serve over buttered egg noodles.
Even More Fall DinnersKeep the Comfort Coming
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Fast + Savory + Healthy
Tender beef and bright broccoli in a savory garlic sauce over rice.
You need: beef strips, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, white rice
Make it: Sear the beef in a hot wok. Stir-fry the broccoli with garlic. Toss in the sauce and serve over rice.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Spicy + Warming + Fresh
Smoky tomato chicken soup topped with crispy tortilla strips and lime.
You need: chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, lime
Make it: Simmer the chicken with tomatoes, beans and corn. Shred the chicken. Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips and lime.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Cheesy + Green + Comfort
Jumbo shells stuffed with spinach and ricotta, baked in marinara.
You need: jumbo pasta shells, ricotta, spinach, marinara, mozzarella
Make it: Cook the shells. Fill with the ricotta and spinach mixture. Arrange in a baking dish with marinara, top with mozzarella, and bake.
Turkey Meatballs
Lean + Juicy + Versatile
Juicy baked turkey meatballs simmered in marinara with basil.
You need: ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, marinara, basil
Make it: Mix and roll the meatballs. Bake until golden. Simmer in marinara 10 minutes and top with basil.
Chicken Cacciatore
Rustic + Tomato + Italian
Chicken thighs braised with peppers, tomatoes and herbs.
You need: chicken thighs, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, onion, Italian herbs
Make it: Brown the chicken thighs. Add peppers, onion and tomatoes. Braise until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Creamy + Loaded + Cozy
Creamy potato soup loaded with cheese, bacon and chives.
You need: potatoes, bacon, cheddar, sour cream, chives, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer the potatoes in broth until tender. Mash partly for texture. Stir in cheddar and sour cream, and top with bacon and chives.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Colorful + Filling + Wholesome
Bell peppers stuffed with seasoned beef and rice under melted cheese.
You need: bell peppers, ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, cheddar
Make it: Brown the beef and mix with rice and tomato sauce. Fill the peppers. Top with cheese and bake until the peppers are tender.
Fall Dinner Success Tips
- Bake in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan — space lets food brown instead of steam.
- Rest your meats. Give roasts and chicken 10 minutes to rest before slicing so juices stay in.
- Season as you go. Salt at each stage of cooking for deeper, more balanced flavor.
- Use the season. Peppers, potatoes and squash are at their peak in fall — let them shine.
- Cook once, eat twice. Casseroles, bakes and stews make fantastic next-day leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best easy fall dinners?
Sheet pan roasts, baked pastas, cozy casseroles and hearty soups are all perfect — simple, comforting and family friendly.
Can I make these dinners ahead of time?
Yes — casseroles and lasagna bakes can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
What are good busy-day fall dinners?
Baked ziti, tater tot casserole, sloppy joes and sheet pan chicken all come together fast with simple ingredients.
How do I reheat baked casseroles?
Cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or microwave individual portions.
Are these fall dinners family friendly?
Yes — these are all comfort-food classics like tacos, pizza casserole, meatball subs and chili that kids and adults love.