Fast Fall Dinner Recipes

Photograph by Yunhee Kim; styling: Karen Shinto

Quick and easy fall dinner recipes

Pork Chops with Greens and Pears

Calvados pan-fried pork chops with roasted winter kale and spicy roasted pears come together in a colorful and delicious fall dinner menu.

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Leigh Beisch

Balsamic-Glazed Halibut

A sweet glaze of balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard livens up tender halibut in this show-stopping dinner.

Recipe: Balsamic-Glazed Halibut

Leo Gong, Randy Mon

Chicken, Bacon, and Blue-cheese Sandwiches

This combo of chicken, bacon, blue cheese, avocado, and roasted peppers is truly sandwich nirvana ― and it is ready in 30 minutes.

Recipe: Chicken, Bacon, and Blue-Cheese Sandwiches

Iain Bagwell

Shrimp with Bacon-Cheese Polenta

Bacon adds a smoky depth of flavor to the classic pairing of shrimp and grits. Green onions and halved tomatoes are a fresh complement to cheesy polenta and succulent shrimp.

Recipe: Shrimp with Bacon-Cheese Polenta

Annabelle Breakey (Food Styling: Dan Becker)

Almond-crusted chicken

Skip the breading and opt for crunchy almonds and a hint of soy sauce in this unique, Asian-inspired spin on fried chicken.

More: Almond-crusted Chicken

Iain Bagwell (Food Styling: Dan Becker)

Chicken with Tomatoes, Apricots, and Chickpeas

Sweet apricots and aromatic spices combine with chicken and chickpeas for a hearty meal that's robust with flavor.

Recipe: Chicken with Tomatoes, Apricots, and Chickpeas

Dan Goldberg

Easy Chicken Adobo

Inspired by the national dish of the Philippines, this simple blend of garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce gives chicken a zingy boost. Be sure to serve with lots of fluffy rice.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Adobo

Iain Bagwell

Pork Chops with Fresh Green and Red Cabbage

Here's a hearty dish for a chilly night. Pork, cabbage, bacon, and caraway ― a classic German combination ― pair well with crisp, dry Riesling.

More: Pork Chops with Fresh Green and Red Cabbage

Leo Gong; Styling: Dan Becker

Spaghetti Carbonara

This version of silky carbonara cuts out the standard addition of heavy cream, making it more faithful to the Italian original without the added fat. Sprinklings of garlic and bacon mean you won't be sacrificing any flavor, either.

Recipe: Spaghetti Carbonara

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Spicy Pork Skewers

A healthy smattering of warm spices make these succulent, grilled kabobs a perfect meal for the transition between late summer and early fall. Try broiling them if you're not up for hauling out the grill.

Recipe: Spicy Pork Skewers

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker

Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Whole-wheat pasta and a generous serving of vegetables make this satisfying entrée a healthy (and filling!) choice.

Recipe: Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Penne All'Amatriciana

Red chile flakes imbue a subtle heat to this pasta, while shredded parmesan and bites of pancetta ensure ample enjoyment for your whole mouth.

Recipe: Penne All'Amatriciana

Leo Gong

Chicken with Barley and Mushrooms

Chicken pairs with nutty barley and earthy mushrooms for a hearty one-pan dinner that's made for fall.

Recipe: Chicken with Barley and Mushrooms

Photo by Karen Steffens

Japanese Beef Bowl

Beef and onion stir-fry gets a boost from a dash of sake and smattering of cilantro leaves. Serves over fluffy rice to soak up every last drop of the yummy sauce.

Recipe: Japanese Beef Bowl

Paule Hible

Quick Scallops with Peppers and Corn

Quick cooking scallops are a perfect weeknight choice, especially when combined with sweet, end of season corn and fresh peppers.

Recipe: Quick Scallops with Peppers and Corn

Photo by James Carrier

Spicy Eggplant, Pork, and Tofu Stir-fry

Spicy garlic sauce gives a big flavor punch to simple stir-fry in this Asian-inspired dish.

Recipe: Spicy Eggplant, Pork, and Tofu Stir-fry

James Carrier

Praline-Glazed Salmon

A sweet and nutty praline topping gives an unexpected touch of elegance to this easy to prepare salmon dish.

Recipe: Praline-Glazed Salmon

Dan Goldberg

Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

This fragrant, buttery stew is hearty enough to work as a vegetarian main dish. Serve with a green salad and naan (Indian flatbread) or fresh pita.

Recipe: Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

Annabelle Breakey

Cod with Red Pepper-Chorizo Ragout

This classic Spanish pairing infuses mild but meaty cod with the warmth of spicy sausage. Best of all, it all comes together in just one pan.

Recipe: Cod with Red Pepper-Chorizo Ragout

Baked Polenta with Sausage and Tomato-Pepper Sauce

This simple casserole makes for a comforting weeknight dinner as the weather turns cooler. Using ready-made polenta saves you the step of making it from scratch.

Recipe: Baked Polenta with Sausage and Tomato-Pepper Sauce

Sonia's Special Steaks

A simple drizzle of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce takes ho-hum grilled steaks to another level. Serve with crusty bread to sop up extra sauce.

Recipe: Sonia's Special Steaks

Photo by Leo Gong; Styling: Karen Shinto

Video: More fast & fresh fall recipes

Recipe Editor Amy Machnak shares some of her favorite seasonal recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less.

Video: Fast & fresh meals for fall

Recipes from the video:

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apple Sage Sauce

BBQ Chicken Salad Subs

Apple Oven Cake

Fast & Fresh fall meals