16 Cozy Fall Sunday Dinner Recipes

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the days grow shorter, nothing feels more comforting than gathering around the dinner table with a hearty homemade meal.

Sunday dinners during fall are especially meaningful—they bring families together, create lasting memories, and fill the home with irresistible aromas of seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, squash, apples, sage, and maple.

Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or treating yourself to a quiet evening feast, these 16 cozy fall Sunday dinner recipes are guaranteed to warm your heart and soul.

From rich stews and creamy pastas to roasted meats and wholesome casseroles, you’ll find a variety of dishes that balance comfort with flavor.

1. Harvest Chicken and Apple Skillet

Description: A sweet and savory one-pan meal where tender chicken pairs perfectly with crisp apples and rosemary.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 apples, sliced thin
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp rosemary
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
3. Cook chicken 6–8 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove.
4. Add onion and apples to the pan, sauté for 5 minutes.
5. Pour in broth, return chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Serve warm with mashed potatoes or rice.

2. Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Description: A cozy pasta dish with creamy pumpkin sauce that tastes like autumn in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic.
3. Stir in pumpkin puree, cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add Parmesan.
5. Toss pasta in sauce and serve hot with extra cheese.

3. Rustic Beef and Barley Stew

Description: A hearty stew filled with tender beef, vegetables, and nutty barley—perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• Olive oil, salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot, brown beef on all sides. Remove.
2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery—sauté until softened.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes.
4. Add beef, broth, barley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer 1–1.5 hours until beef is tender.
6. Serve with crusty bread.

4. Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto

Description: Creamy risotto with roasted butternut squash and fragrant sage for a rich, velvety fall dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth (warm)
• 1 cup roasted butternut squash (cubed)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup white wine
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp sage, chopped
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a pan, sauté onion until soft.
2. Stir in rice and toast for 2 minutes.
3. Add wine, stir until absorbed.
4. Add broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly.
5. Mix in squash, Parmesan, and sage.
6. Season and serve warm.

5. Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Description: Sweet maple glaze makes this pork tenderloin juicy, flavorful, and perfect for Sunday gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 pork tenderloins
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix maple syrup, Dijon, garlic, soy, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub mixture over pork.
4. Roast for 25–30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let rest before slicing and serving.

6. Hearty Chicken Pot Pie

Description: A golden, flaky crust hides a creamy chicken and vegetable filling—a true comfort food classic.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup peas
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup cream
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion.
2. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Add broth and cream, whisk until thickened.
4. Stir in chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes.
5. Pour into pie dish, top with crust, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.

7. Apple Cider Braised Short Ribs

Description: Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs braised in apple cider with herbs and spices.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs beef short ribs
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 sprigs thyme
• Olive oil, salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Season ribs with salt and pepper, sear in hot oil until browned.
2. Remove ribs, add onion, garlic, carrots, and tomato paste.
3. Pour in cider and broth, stir well.
4. Add ribs back with thyme, cover, and braise at 325°F (160°C) for 3 hours.
5. Serve with mashed potatoes or polenta.

8. Pumpkin Chili with Black Beans

Description: A smoky, slightly sweet chili with pumpkin puree and black beans for a unique fall twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Brown meat in a pot with onion and garlic.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, broth, and spices.
3. Stir and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Serve with cornbread.

9. Sage Butter Roasted Chicken

Description: Whole roasted chicken with sage butter creates crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs)
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tsp sage, chopped
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix butter with sage, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub mixture under and over chicken skin.
4. Stuff cavity with lemon and garlic.
5. Roast 1.5 hours until golden and juices run clear.
6. Rest before carving.

10. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Description: A healthier twist on shepherd’s pie with creamy sweet potato topping.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup peas
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook meat in a skillet with onion and carrots.
2. Add tomato paste and broth, simmer 10 minutes.
3. Stir in peas and season.
4. Spread mixture in a baking dish, top with mashed sweet potatoes.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

11. Autumn Harvest Beef Stew with Red Wine

Description: A rich, comforting stew infused with red wine and root vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 parsnips, chopped
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil, salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Brown beef in oil, remove.
2. Add onion, garlic, and tomato paste.
3. Stir in wine and broth.
4. Add beef and vegetables, simmer 1.5–2 hours.
5. Serve with warm bread.

12. Cheesy Baked Ziti with Sausage

Description: A cheesy, bubbling casserole packed with sausage and marinara for family-style comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and sausage separately.
2. Mix pasta with sauce, sausage, and ricotta.
3. Transfer to baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
5. Serve hot and cheesy.

13. Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna

Description: Layers of roasted squash, ricotta, and mozzarella create a fall-inspired lasagna.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, sliced and roasted
• 9 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• ½ cup Parmesan
• 1 tsp sage

Instructions:

1. Roast squash slices until tender.
2. Layer noodles, ricotta, squash, sauce, and mozzarella.
3. Repeat layers and top with Parmesan.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.
5. Rest before slicing.

14. Cozy Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Description: A protein-packed vegetarian soup that’s hearty, nutritious, and perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.
2. Add lentils, broth, and spices.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 40 minutes.
4. Remove bay leaf and serve with bread.

15. Classic Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

Description: Moist, flavorful meatloaf topped with a sweet and tangy glaze.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp mustard

Instructions:

1. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, milk, and Worcestershire.
2. Shape into loaf, place in baking dish.
3. Mix ketchup, sugar, and mustard for glaze.
4. Spread glaze over meatloaf.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour.

16. Savory Pumpkin and Mushroom Casserole

Description: Earthy mushrooms and creamy pumpkin bake together in a cheesy casserole.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and mushrooms until softened.
2. Mix with pumpkin puree, cream, eggs, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour into baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
5. Serve warm as a main or side.

Conclusion

Fall Sunday dinners are about more than just food—they’re about slowing down, gathering with loved ones, and savoring the flavors of the season.

These 16 cozy recipes bring together autumn’s best ingredients like pumpkin, apples, sage, and root vegetables in a way that’s both comforting and festive.

Whether you crave a creamy casserole, a bubbling pasta bake, or a hearty stew, there’s a dish here to make your Sunday memorable.

Light a candle, set the table, and enjoy the warmth of a perfect fall evening.