1. Pumpkin (let’s get this one out in the open first)
Pumpkin butter pecan gingersnap rolls by Anthony Wan
We paint them, we carve them and we eat them. You can pretty much make a zillion recipes using this plump friend of ours.
Desserts & Breakfasts:
- 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Better-Than-Starbucks’ Pumpkin Bread
- Healthy Crustless Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Fluff
- The World’s Easiest Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
- Healthy Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Penuche Pumpkin Pecan Cookies
- Pumpkin Cake For One
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Butter Pecan Gingersnap Rolls
- Glazed Pumpkin Donuts
- Simple Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Spiced Scones
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Meals & Snacks:
- Spicy Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Spiced Roasted Almonds
- Bacon Pumpkin Quinoa
- Pumpkin Gnocchi
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
2. Squash
Cheesy broccoli spaghetti squash boat by Mary Alex England
You can do a lot with squash, like substitute spaghetti squash for spaghetti for a healthier alternative (and because spaghetti squash is just awesome).
- How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Egg Baskets
- Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti Squash Boats
- Super Spaghetti Squash
- Butternut Squash Pasta
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Mash
- Butternut Squash Mac ‘N Cheese
- Butternut Squash with Garlic and Thyme
- Maple Glazed Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Pasta With Chunky Tomato Sauce
3. Soup (any kind, really)
Photo by Krista Stucchio
Fall is the perfect time to start diving into your favorite soups. The soups below are super easy to make and store in the freezer to last all fall.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Carrot Soup
- Cuban-Style White Bean Soup
- Thai Coconut & Ginger Soup
- Ginger Curry Egg Drop Soup
- Homemade Lentil Soup
- Loaded Potato Soup
- Caldo Verde Portuguese Soup
- Curry Cauliflower Soup
4. Carrots
Rainbow roasted carrots by Elizabeth Tadie
Better to see with, my dear. Carrots hold vitamins that improve eye health and they are most delicious and best grown in the fall.
- Coriander Roasted Carrots
- Carrot Fries
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Peppered Pickled Carrots
- Apple Carrot Juice
- Carrot Ginger Dressing
- Peppered Pickled Carrots
5. Apples
Apple pie cup by Susanna Tuan
If you’ve never gone apple picking, now is the time to do it. Round up your crew, pick the juiciest ones and try some of these delicious recipes. (If you need more convincing, here are 5 Reasons to Go Apple Picking).
Desserts & Snacks:
- Loaded Apple Slices
- Apple Pie Cups
- Apple Cheddar Pancake Bake
- Mini Apple Pie Bites
- Caramelized Apple Crepes
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips
- Cinnamon Apple & Peanut Butter Breakfast Quinoa
- Apple Crisps Filled Apples
- Cranberry Apple Punch
- Apple Crumble
- Apple Cocktails
- Mini Caramel Apple Pies
- Apple Pear Crumble
- Apple Walnut Bars
- Pumpkin Spiced Cooked Apples
- DIY Caramel Apples
- Apple Sans Crumble
- Apple Walnut Bars
- Baked Apples
Savory Dishes:
- Apple Chickpea Hash
- Fried Ham, Apple & Cheddar Panini
- Apple, Goat Cheese & Honey Quesadilla
- Apple Citrus Quinoa Salad
- Bacon, Apple & Brie Sandwich
6. Sweet Potatoes
Photo by Rachel Cali and Sarah Cali
Mash ’em. Fry ’em. Bake ’em. Even add sugar to craft up something sweet.
- How To Steam A Sweet Potato
- Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potato
- Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese
- Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Chips
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos
- Sweet Potato Oaties
- 5 Ways To Eat Sweet Potatoes
- Healthy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Latkes
- Sweet Potato and Lentil Salad
- Mashed Sweet Potato
- Not-Yo-Mama’s Sweet Potato Fries
- Savory Sweet Potatoes
- 20-Minutes Sweet Potatoes
- Super Sweet Baked Sweet Potatoes
7. Brussels Sprouts
Photo by Kelda Baljon
I personally think these are balls of green Gods, but many people despise them. Here’s a trick…cook them with bacon.
- How To Trim Brussels Sprouts
- Honey Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Balsamic Braised Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Fried Egg
- Brussels Sprouts With Roasted Pine Nuts and Bacon
- 10 Ways To Cook Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels Sprouts With Garlic & Butter
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
8. Mashed Potatoes
Photo by Bernard Wen
What are you eating alongside your turkey and stuffing?
9. Cauliflower
Photo by Christine Chang
If you’re looking for a little less starch and a little more veggie, cauliflower is a great option.
- 4 New Things To Do With Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Hacks
- Cauliflower Crust Pizza
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Curry Cauliflower Soup
10. Pears
Photo by Alex Tom
So there are like, over 3,000 types of pears in the world. Seriously. Why not try them all?
11. Artichokes
They may look a little funny, but they taste delicious if you’ve got a great recipe.
12. Colored Bell Peppers
Red pepper and pesto grilled cheese by Libby Perold
You can throw peppers in any meal. Besides dinner, they’re great in a breakfast omelet and the perfect raw snack with some dip.
- How To Make Roasted Red Peppers
- Red Pepper & Pesto Grilled Cheese
- How To Make Jalapeño Poppers
- Roasted Pepper Salad
13. Mushrooms
Photo by Devon Carlson
Add them to your breakfast, stuff them with crab meat or sauté them with some onions and peppers. Delish.
- 4 Mushroom Varietals To Buy at The Farmers Market
- Arugula, Brie & Mushroom Pasta
- Pasta With White Wine & Porcini Mushroom Sauce
- Spinach & Mushroom Risotto
- Creamy Mushroom Rotini
- Mushroom Trio Quesadilla
- Mushroom, Onion & Goat Cheese Crostini
14. Figs
Ricotta fig crostinis by Julia Maguire
What the fig? You’ve probably had these guys in a Fig Newton, but it’s time to step up your fig game.