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6 Easy & Cheap Fall Recipes: What’s for Dinner?

As fall settles in, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, home-cooked meal. With cozy flavors and seasonal ingredients, fall is the perfect time to try some new dishes that won’t break the bank. Here are six easy and affordable fall recipes to warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds!

1. Pumpkin Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 can of pumpkin puree
• 8 oz pasta (any type)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, combine the pumpkin puree and vegetable broth over medium heat.
3. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in spinach until wilted.
4. Toss the pasta with the pumpkin sauce, and serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Why It’s Great:

Easy to whip up and packed with nutrients, this dish highlights pumpkin, a quintessential fall ingredient.

2. Chili with Beans

Ingredients:

• 2 cans kidney beans (or any beans)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onions and bell pepper until soft.
2. Add beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer for about 20 minutes to blend flavors. Serve hot.

Why It’s Great:

Chili is hearty and filling, perfect for crisp fall evenings. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and can be made in bulk for leftovers.

3. Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A drizzle of olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent.
2. Add butternut squash and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender.
3. Blend until smooth, then season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Why It’s Great:

A simple yet elegant dish, butternut squash soup captures the essence of fall, and it can be easily frozen for future meals.

4. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice (or quinoa)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans
• 1 tsp cumin
• Cheese for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix rice, diced tomatoes, black beans, and cumin.
4. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and place them in a baking dish. Top with cheese if desired.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Why It’s Great:

These vibrant stuffed peppers are nutritious, visually appealing, and customizable to whatever ingredients you have on hand.

5. Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 lb smoked sausage (or kielbasa), sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onions and sausage, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in cabbage, covering the skillet for about 10 minutes until cabbage is wilted.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Why It’s Great:

This one-pan dish is not only hearty and satisfying but also simplifies cleanup, making weeknight dinners a breeze!

6. Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced apples (any variety)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a baking dish, layer the sliced apples.
3. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter to create a crumbly topping.
4. Spread the topping over the apples and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.

Why It’s Great:

This dessert showcases fall’s apple harvest and makes for a delightful ending to any meal—especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Conclusion

These six fall recipes are not only easy to prepare and budget-friendly, but they also embody the cozy flavors of the season. From savory dishes to sweet treats, each recipe offers a unique taste of fall that can bring warmth to your dinner table. Happy cooking!