Fall to me feels like a cozy hug, and I love easy fall recipes that feel the same way. Warm beverages like tea or a pumpkin latte, apple cinnamon granola for breakfast and Gilmore Girls. My favorite season!Â
I’ve prepared for you a list of my favorite fall meals that you can make and eat for a couple of days.
Easy fall recipes for one cozy day at a glance
Picture a cool fall day at home. You wake up, bake something warm, and the kitchen smells amazing until bedtime. That is the day I planned for you here. Make all four recipes, or just pick the one you need today. Everything is gluten free and made with simple ingredients.
| Meal | Recipe | Total time |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Savory spinach muffins | 30 min |
| Lunch | Serbian moussaka | 1 h 10 min |
| Dinner | Vegan butternut squash soup | 55 min |
| Dessert | Grandma’s apple pie | 55 min |
Fall breakfast ideas: savory spinach muffins
Not everyone wants something sweet in the morning, and I am one of those people. When the weather gets colder, I like a breakfast that feels more like a small meal. These [savory cornmeal spinach muffins] are my pick for that. They are small, easy to hold, and you do not need a plate or a fork.
They fit this cozy day well because they are done early. Bake them first thing and the whole house smells good before anyone is even awake. Have one with your coffee or tea, or pack a couple for the road if the morning is busy. Want a different flavor? Try my savory cornmeal muffins with buckwheat.
Cornmeal Spinach Muffins (Gluten-Free)
Easy fall lunch: Serbian moussaka with ground turkey
Lunch is the big meal of the day here. If you have never tried moussaka the Serbian way, you are in for a treat. This [layered potato and ground turkey bake] is cozy and filling, and it is exactly what I want to eat when the afternoon turns grey and chilly.
It is a good pick if you cook for more than one person, because a single dish feeds the whole table. Serve it with a simple side salad or some pickled veggies, and you have a full meal. It also works well for lunches later in the week. Cook it once, and you can stop thinking about lunch for a few days.
Serbian Moussaka with Ground Turkey
Fall dinner ideas: vegan butternut squash soup
By evening, all I want is a big bowl of something warm. This [vegan butternut squash soup] is just that. It is the kind of dinner you can eat on the couch under a blanket. After a lunch like moussaka, a lighter dinner feels just right.
It is also a great one for busy days. Make a big pot, and you have dinner plus a few portions for later. Serve it with a side of gluten free toast or just a spoon and a quiet evening. Both work for me.
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Cozy fall recipes for dessert: grandma’s gluten free apple pie
Every cozy day needs a sweet ending. This [simple gluten free apple pie] is the one I make when I want the house to smell like fall. It is homey and made for sharing, so it works for a family evening or when friends stop by.
I like to bake it the day before. That way dessert is already waiting for you, and you can enjoy the day without watching the oven. Serve a slice with a hot cup of tea, or add a spoon of yogurt on the side. Either way, it is a lovely way to finish the day.
Grandma’s Gluten Free Apple Pie
How to prep these easy fall recipes ahead
You do not have to cook all of this in one day. I would not either. Here is how long each recipe keeps, so you can spread it through the week.
| Recipe | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach muffins | Several days | Yes, cool them first |
| Serbian moussaka | About 3 days | I do not freeze it |
| Butternut squash soup | Up to 3 days | Yes |
| Apple pie | 2 to 3 days | Not tested |
If I were planning my week, it would look like this:
- Bake the muffins and freeze half
- Make the soup and freeze a few portions
- Cook the moussaka for the first lunches of the week
- Bake the pie the day before you want it
More healthy fall recipes to make this season
Still hungry for more? These are other fall meals from my kitchen:
- Homemade chicken soup with millet, a creamy soup without any cream
- Gluten free pizza bites cut into leaves and pumpkins
- Sheet pan meatballs with roasted veggies, served over millet
- One pan baked chicken and potatoes for an easy lunch
- Healthier poppy seed muffins with honey and Greek yogurt
FAQ
Mostly yes. The muffins and the soup freeze well. The moussaka keeps about 3 days in the fridge, and the apple pie keeps 2 to 3 days. Check the table above.
Yes, all four are gluten free. Just check the labels on tomato paste, spice blends and cream to be safe.
Start with the spinach muffins or the apple pie. Both are simple mixing recipes with no special tools.
