With the cold weather and warm treats like apple pie coming up, who wouldn't be in the fall mood? Here are 10 easy recipes to get you ready for the fall season, whether that means a cozy potato soup or a casual pumpkin treat.
1. Cheesy Spinach And Architoke Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
(Recipe from EatingWell.com)
This flavorful dish by Carolyn Malcoun is not only delicious but easy to make too. Though you may want to add a little more seasoning, it is a wonderful dish to share with family and friends and is not only low-carb but vegetarian as well.
- 1 spaghetti squash (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed
- 3 tablespoons of water, divided
- 1 (5 ounce) package of baby spinach
- 1 (10 ounce) package of frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped
- 4 ounces of reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/4 tablespoon of salt
- 1/4 tablespoon of ground pepper
- Crushed red pepper and chopped fresh basil for garnish
Place the squash in a microwave-safe dish and add 2 tablespoons of water. Microwave, uncovered, on high until tender. While the squash is in the microwave, combine the spinach and remaining water in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook, stirring from time to time, until wilted (3-5 minutes). Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Use a fork to scrape the squash from the shells into the bowl. Place shells on a baking sheet. Stir artichoke hearts, cream cheese, some Parmesan, and salt and pepper into the squash mixture. Divide between the squash shells and top with the remaining Parmesan. Broil for about 3 minutes.
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2. Apple Crumb Pie
(Family recipe)
Complete with cinnamon and apples, this pie is a must when making autumn treats. This simple dish by Rebecca Weaver is a favorite and full of fall flavor.
- 2 cups of peeled and sliced apples
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- Vanilla ice cream
- 1 unbaked pie shell
Topping:
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1/4 cup of butter
Mix apples, cinnamon, and sugar together. Place in unbaked pie shell. Mix topping ingredients together and place over apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serve warm with ice cream.
3. Cheese-Sausage Balls
(Family recipe)
If you're looking for an appetizer for game day? This is the dish for you. The salty snack by Lynda Cooper is always a quick and easy crowd-pleaser.
- 2 cups of Bisquick mix
- 1/2 pound of sausage (raw)
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 pound of grated/shredded cheese
Mix all the ingredients together and roll into small balls. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until done.
4. Hot Cider
(Family recipe)
With this hot apple cider by Janice Cooper, you'll feel like you're at the pumpkin patch. A warming recipe that's simple and delicious, it makes a fantastic treat for a cool day.
- 1 gallon of apple cider
- 2 cups of brown sugar
- 6 (1/2 inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon of allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
Bring cider and sugar to a boil. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg in a bag and add to cider. Simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the spice bag and serve hot.
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5. Taco Soup
(Family recipe)
An instant favorite among everyone, this dish from Boots Cooper McClure is great for bringing everyone together. Not to mention, it's simple and great comfort food.
- 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 28-ounce can of tomatoes
- 1 14-ounce can of kidney beans, drained
- 1 17-ounce can of corn
- 1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1 package of taco seasoning
- 4 cups of water
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Ground beef and onion. Add the remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Simmer for an hour.
6. Corn Pudding
(Family recipe)
Yvette Floyd's quick and easy side dish is perfect for holiday get-togethers.
- 1 can of cream-style corn
- 1 can of whole kernel corn
- 1 box of Jiffy corn meal muffin mix
- 1 8-ounce tub of sour cream
- 1 stick of butter, melted
Mix together both cans of corn, muffin mix, and sour cream. Mix in butter and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.
7. Sweet Potato Cake
(Family recipe)
A quick, simple, and unique take on a fall treat by Martha Cooper. This deliciously moist cake is perfect to serve for any occasion, making it a great crowd-pleaser, even if you're not a sweet potato lover.
- 1 1/2 cups of cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
Mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, water, and cake mix. Set aside. Melt butter in a 13 x 19-inch pan.
Sprinkle chopped pecans and sugar on top of the butter. Pour cake mixture over pecan mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
8. Pecan Tassies
(Family recipe)
Margie Pierce's Pecan Tassies, also known as Pecan Tarts, make a great addition to any fall family get-together. The delicious treats are simple to make and perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
- 1 3-ounce package of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened
- 1 cup of unsifted plain flour
- 3 tablespoons of butter, melted
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
Blend cream cheese, butter, and flour together. Chill slightly for about one hour. Shape into 2 dozen 1-inch balls.
Place in mini, ungreased muffin tins. Press dough in the bottom and sides of tin. Combine the remaining ingredients and divide equally into hollows. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
9. Grilled Cheese With Apples And Bacon
(100 Days of Real Food cookbook)
With Lisa Leake's recipe for this dish, you can combine three of everyone's favorite things while also setting the fall mood. This simple but delicious dish is a great take on the grilled cheese classic.
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 4 slices of whole-wheat bread
- 4 slices of cheese, about 1 ounce per slice
- 4 slices of uncooked bacon, broken in half to make 8 pieces
- 1/2 unpeeled green apple, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 1 tablespoon of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Carefully rub one side of each slice of bread in the melted butter to coat and set aside. Turn off the heat.
Assemble the sandwiches by starting with a single slice of bread, butter side down, then topping it with 1 cheese slice, half of the bacon, half of the apple, and another slice of cheese. Top with another slice of bread. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Melt the rest of the butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the assembled sandwiches to the pan and cook until the bottoms are lightly toasted. Flip over and, if using, evenly sprinkle half of the grated Parmesan over the tops of the two sandwiches. When the bottoms are lightly toasted, flip again and cook just long enough for the Parmesan to melt into the bread. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top of the other side and repeat. Slice and serve warm.
10. Autumn Fruit Casserole
(Family recipe)
With this fall fruit recipe from Elizabeth Patterson, you can have a perfect mix of fall favorites like cinnamon as well as your favorite fruits. A quick and simple recipe, it's perfect for a unique fall treat.
- 1 1-pound can of pineapple chunks
- 1 1-pound 14-ounce can of peach halves
- 1 1-pound 4-ounce can of apricot halves
- 1/3 cup of melted butter
- 2/3 cup of packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder
Drain all fruits well. Arrange in layers in medium casserole. Combine butter, sugar, and spices in small bowl; mix until crumbly.
Sprinkle over fruits. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour. Serve hot with sour cream.
Jennifer Pallian from Unsplash
Autumn is one of everyone's favorite seasons and whether you're making an apple pie or a potato soup, you can feel the warmth from what you are eating. Food can bring people together, no matter the occasion, and I hope these recipes not only allow you to do just that but also help you to enjoy and get the most out of the fall season.
