The Winter Solstice Approaches

The 31 Best Things to Cook This October

published about 1 hour ago

Credit: Shelly Westerhausen

Crispy Tofu Bowl with Caramelized Fall Veggies

Welcome to October! It’s time to embrace fall cooking and baking — and all the apple and pumpkin recipes. The chill in the air makes us want to stay inside and cook, but it also reminds us that it’s the season for fun fall activities. To have the best of both worlds, we look for easy, comforting recipes that come together in one pot, one skillet, or in one of our shortcut appliances (we’re looking at you, Instant Pot). Gorgeous jewel-toned root vegetables — like Brussels sprouts, hearty greens, and squash — inspire us to crank up our ovens for roasting, and those veggies find their way into salads, grain bowls, soups, and stews. And sweets have their moment this month, too. As Halloween approaches, the treat-making (and eating!) cranks into high gear.

With all of that going on, you don’t need much encouragement to get into the kitchen, but you might be looking for a place to start. From cozy soups and roast chicken to apple cake and a sweet-and-savory Halloween snack mix, we have 31 recipes that are guaranteed to make your cooking life much more delicious this month.

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Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

There was a chill in the air the other day and Production Editor, Tracey's, first thought was that she really needed to have lasagna soup ASAP!

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Apple Cider-Glazed Chicken Thighs

Looking for more ways to use up that apple cider? You've got to try this chicken dinner! Apple cider gives chicken thighs a caramel-spiced sheen in this one-skillet dinner you won't want to miss.

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Crispy Tofu Bowl with Caramelized Fall Veggies

This hearty vegetarian grain bowl is a must-make fall favorite for Copy Chief, Lauren.

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4 / 32

Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

There is no cozier breakfast to wake up to on a chilly fall morning. Toss everything in the slow cooker before going to bed, and all that's left to do in the morning is spoon it into bowls.

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Hazelnuts & Brown Butter Dressing

Senior Contributing Food Editor Kelli is keeping this fall favorite in her lunch lineup all month. "I'll make a big batch on Sunday, starting with a couple of bags of pre-shredded sprouts to minimize prep time and I plan to bulk it up with chewy farro."

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Creamy Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms

Lifestyle Director, Lisa, is so pumped for the return of this skillet into her weeknight dinner lineup. "I almost made it the other week but was told it was still slightly too warm out."

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7 / 32

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

Consider this your staple side dish to pair with anything and everything all month long.

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8 / 32

Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe

Groceries Editor, Mara, loves breakfast pastries and has been on the hunt for a solid chocolate chip scone recipe. Needless to say she was VERY excited when this recipe dropped and has big plans to make a couple batches this month.

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Savory Stuffed Pumpkin with Sausage and Gruyère

Stuffed pumpkin is a popular Thanksgiving showstopper, and it also happens to be a Halloween tradition for Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela. "It's so comforting and special."

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10 / 32

Pumpkin Chili

If you're a total pumpkin-lover, you cannot let October pass you by without making this perfect-for-fall chili.

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11 / 32

Ghost Pizza

Senior Contributing Food Editor Kelli cannot wait to make these cute English muffin pizzas for her family on Halloween. "They're so fun and simple, and my toddler is going to devour them."

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Mummy Hot Dogs

This beloved Halloween treat requires just two ingredients (three if you count the eyes!). Don't underestimate the power of mummy dogs to delight kids and adults alike!

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Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

If you bake just one thing this month, I strongly suggest following Food Editor-at-Large, Christine's, lead. "My apple cider doughnut cake will have to make an appearance, even if I don't go apple picking. It's totally worth buying apple cider for."

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14 / 32

Grandma’s Oxtails Recipe

There were so many delicious recipes in our latest Latinx Heritage Month package, and Studio Food Editor Amelia is still swooning over this recipe. "I can never ever resist oxtails!"

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Easy Pumpkin Soup

This is the easiest (and tastiest) pumpkin soup you'll make, thanks to a can of pumpkin and your spice drawer. And it comes together in just 20 minutes.

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The Ultimate Fall Salad

This fall salad is sweet, savory, and super-satisfying. And the thing Senior Food Editor, Megan, especially loves is how customizable it is — "I can whip it together with whatever I have in the fridge or grab at the market."

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Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo

If a cozy fall pasta is calling your name, this creamy butternut squash Alfredo cannot be beat.

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Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

If you're still working through your apple-picking haul, this super-simple snack cake is a total must! It's moist, tender, and oh-so delicious. Plus it only takes 15 minutes to mix together.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Crouton Topper

Executive Food Director, Nina, is all about cozy comfort this month. "'Tis the season for this tomato soup-grilled cheese mash-up! It's easy, warm, and comforting — and contains cheesy croutons. What more could you ask for?"

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Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup

This slow cooker twist on classic potato soup is the perfect fall dinner for a crowd.

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Ground Beef Taco Casserole

This recipe is everything you love about classic ground beef tacos baked into an easy casserole, then topped with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheddar.

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Skillet Mac and Cheese

Consider this your weeknight-approved mac and cheese — the kind you can make after a long, hectic day without resorting to the boxed stuff.

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Barbecue Turkey Meatloaf

Not only does barbecue sauce pack this meatloaf with tons of flavor, but it also prevents the turkey from drying out. Make your own sauce or grab your favorite bottle of barbecue sauce.

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Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

It's officially soup season! Chicken noodle soup is always a hit at Executive Editor, Patty's, house and she loves using this Instant Pot recipe, which usually has enough left over for her to freeze for a future dinner.

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Japanese Chicken and Vegetable Curry with Rice and Quick Cucumber Pickles Recipe

Studio Food Editor Jesse came across this recipe for Japanese chicken and veggie curry and knew it was time to get in the kitchen ASAP. "The weather is finally starting to cool off a little and I look forward to the first chilly night I get to cozy up and make this curry."

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Toasted Grain Soup with Crispy Mushrooms and Kale

If you plan on ringing in fall with some soup, like Assistant Food Editor, Nicole, this hearty vegetarian number is a great place to start.

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Zuni Roast Chicken

There are dozens of ways to roast a chicken, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest.

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Sweet Potato Curry

This warming plant-based curry is a total breeze to pull together in under 30 minutes, and totally hits the spot on chilly nights.

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Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Flavored with an unlikely combination of seasoning packets, pepperoncini peppers, and butter, this weeknight-friendly dinner is like no other pot roast you've ever tasted.

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Halloween Party Mix

You might not be going to any Halloween parties this year, but you should definitely still make this fun snack mix. You won't regret it — trust me!

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Roasted Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

These wholesome enchiladas are packed with roasted winter squash, corn, and black beans, then topped with greens.

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Slow Cooker Cream of Mushroom Soup

This slow cooker cream of mushroom soup is an ideal make-ahead addition to your dinner party menu.

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Kelli Foster

Food Editor, Plan & Prep

Kelli is the Food Editor for Plan & Prep content for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls , The Probiotic Kitchen , Buddha Bowls , and Everyday Freekeh Meals . She lives in New Jersey.

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Source : food