Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (2024)

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (1)

Summer produce may get all the most breathless attention, but if you ask us, the fall is really when fresh, seasonal eating gets good. The cooler weather sees the return of all kinds of delicious spring veggies that generally can't take the summer heat—think peppery arugula greens, and mild butter lettuces as well as Broccolini, and kale. And then there are all the root vegetables like carrots, beets, turnip recipes, and simple potato recipes, to say nothing of harvest time staples like winter squash recipes and apple recipes.

Fall is also when eating gets fun. The cooler whether invites lots of hearty stews and soups, rich roasted chicken, and stick-to-your-ribs dishes. Which is why (for us, anyway) it's suddenly so easy to start overeating. That's why making sure the delicious fall foods you eat are healthy is suddenly more important than ever. Sure, it would be possible to gorge on nothing but cheese-covered lasagna and roasted sausage, but you won't feel very good afterward.

Here, then, are a few dozen of our favorite healthy fall recipes. These have all the flavors the colder temperatures have you craving: Roasted butternut squash, creamy mac and cheese, sautéed mushrooms, bold sauces, and more, but they're made with smart ingredients and techniques to keep them healthy. Our mac and cheese has a purée of creamy cauliflower to give it a burst of nutrition. Our roasted chicken uses a weighted pan to keep it extra crispy without excess oil. And our smothered pork chops reconfigures the sauce, to cut back on sat fat without sacrificing flavor.

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1

Roasted Butternut Squash With Cider Vinaigrette

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (3)

Whole-grain mustard and red onion give this dish some serious flavor, while apple cider sweetens it up just enough. It's a must-have in any healthy recipe arsenal.

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SHOP WOODEN SPOONS

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2

Vegetarian Chili with Grains and Beans

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (5)

Save this recipe the next time you're looking for a #MeatlessMonday meal. It's so hearty, you may not even notice the lack of ground meat.

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SHOP SLOW COOKERS

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3

Crispy Chicken Thighs With Garlic and Rosemary

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (7)

Achieve a beautiful crispy chicken without any butter or oil with the weighing down technique explained in this recipe.

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SHOP CAST IRON SKILLETS

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4

Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (9)

This cold-night staple serves up ample creamy gooeyness, while a stealthy vegetable (puréed cauliflower!) boosts vitamins and fiber.

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SHOP BAKING DISHES

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5

Smothered Pork Chops with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (11)

We swapped the notoriously high-fat sauce in the traditional smothered dish for a lighter version made with white wine, crème fraîche, and a bit of Dijon.

Get the recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

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6

Sweet-and-Smoky Cedar-Planked Salmon

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (13)

Fall is one of the low-key best times to grill, when the temperatures are cool enough to make tending to the grill a pleasure.

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SHOP CEDAR PLANKS

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7

Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken With Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (15)

A chili-garlic sauce gives this one-pan dinner a kick. If a few family members aren't spicy sauce fans, simply serve it on the side.

Get the recipe.

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8

Lemon-Rosemary Chicken With Roasted Broccolini

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (17)

Broccolini, you may be surprised to learn, is really good for you. The veggie is jam-packed with all sorts of fantastic nutrients. It's fresh in the spring and fall, and it tastes pretty amazing when roasted.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SHEET PANS

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9

Polenta Cakes With Sautéed Mushrooms

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (19)

Made with a generous amount of white Cheddar cheese, these polenta cakes are irresistible. Everyone will be asking for seconds—and maybe even thirds!

Get the recipe.

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10

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Apples, hazelnuts, and Brussels sprouts make for a winning combination in this seasonal salad. It's a decidedly different take on classic fall Brussels sprouts dishes.

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SHOP SALAD BOWLS

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11

Roasted Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (23)

Roasted sweet potatoes are incredibly nutritious. Maple syrup and thyme deepen the flavors in this traditional fall dish.

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SHOP SHEET PANS

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12

Marinated Mushroom-and-Charred Broccolini Salad

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (25)

Red pepper flakes give this veggie-packed side salad a little kick. But if you aren't big on spice, feel free to leave the ingredient out.

Get the recipe.

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13

Cider-Braised Chicken-and-Fennel Panzanella

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (27)

These succulent chicken legs are seasoned with thyme, shallots, and fresh apple cider.

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SHOP ROASTING PANS

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14

Southwest Shrimp & Grits

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (29)

You just can't go wrong with this beloved Southern staple. Everyone will be licking their bowl clean.

Get the recipe.

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15

Blackberry-Glazed Chicken

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (31)

Make your own fruity sauce out of blackberries and Dijon mustard with this sweet and savory recipe. If you're in the Pacific Northwest, where blackberries stay in season well into the fall, the fresh-picked fruit works especially well.

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SHOP GRILL TONGS

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16

Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (33)

Forget boring salads that leave you hungry. This hearty recipe is loaded with blue cheese, hazelnuts, and pomegranate seeds to keep you satisfied.

Get the recipe.

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17

Gingery Slow Cooker Chicken with Cabbage Slaw

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (35)

Prep this sweet, spunky chicken dish in the morning, and come home to a fully cooked meal.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

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18

Roasted Chicken with Fennel and Tomatoes

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (37)

The genius of this recipe? Everything roasts together, which both melds the flavors and makes cooking and cleanup a breeze.

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SHOP SHEET PANS

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19

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (39)

This version of the classic childhood favorite has tons of flavor, and is just as filling, but has less saturated fat, and is far more nutritious.

Get the recipe.

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20

Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (41)

Looking for fried chicken without the oily aftertaste? Look no further.

Get the recipe.

Tasty and Easy-to-Make Healthy Fall Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make the healthiest meal? ›

10 tweaks to cook healthier dishes
  1. Cut down on fats. If frying, use a good non-stick pan and dry fry if you can – minced meat dry fries very well. ...
  2. Cut down on salt. Most recipes say that you need to add salt. ...
  3. Cut down on sugar. ...
  4. Increase fibre. ...
  5. Soups and stews. ...
  6. Sauces and dips. ...
  7. Cheese. ...
  8. Mayonnaise.

What is the top 1 food to get in fall? ›

In conclusion, the most popular fall foods include apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, turkey, cornbread stuffing, and pecan pie. There are many more, but these are some of the best-loved ones. Cooking delicious and nutritious meals shouldn't be difficult if you know what ingredients to look for!

What food tastes great in fall? ›

Here's a list of some fall favorites:
  • Pumpkin. Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene as well, along with vitamins A and C. ...
  • Apples. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Cranberries. ...
  • Butternut Squash. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
Sep 18, 2023

What is the one food you should eat everyday? ›

The healthiest foods and diets out there focus on real, whole foods: lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats, and limited added sugar and sodium.

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

It's dinnertime: ZOE members' top recipes
  • Chickpea & broccoli pasta.
  • Lentil & eggplant stew.
  • Veggie shepherd's pie.
  • Harissa traybake.
  • Noodle salad.
  • Cod & salsa salad.
  • Kale salad.
  • Mushroom stir-fry.
Mar 19, 2024

What should I eat for dinner to lose belly fat? ›

11 foods that fight visceral belly fat include:
  • Whole grains.
  • Non-starchy vegetables.
  • Fruits such as berries, apples, pears, avocados.
  • Olive oil.
  • Beans.
  • Legumes.
  • Nuts.
  • Seeds.

What fruits and vegetables are good for fall? ›

Fall
  • Apples.
  • Apples.
  • Bananas.
  • Beets.
  • Bell Peppers.
  • Broccoli.
  • Brussels Sprouts.
  • Cabbage.

What do people crave in the fall? ›

Interestingly, as appetizing as orange is, there aren't many foods that are themselves orange, aside from sweet potato fries or select fruits and veggies. Perhaps that's why we are so collectively obsessed with pumpkin everything this time of year. Especially pumpkin pie. Red is the color that makes fall stand out.

What is the best fruit to eat in the fall? ›

These are all great options for breakfast, a healthy afternoon snack, or a warm fruity dessert in the cool fall months.
  • Apples.
  • Asian Pears.
  • Bell Peppers (yes, they're fruit!) As well as varieties like Jalapeno.
  • Cranberries.
  • Dates.
  • Figs.
  • Grapes.
  • Persimmons.
Sep 25, 2021

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