3 Favorite Fall Recipes

As the weather begins to change, there’s a natural shift in our kitchens. With fall’s arrival, we’re drawn to warm, comforting dishes that fill our homes. It is time to break out the one pot dishes, hearty soups, and holiday favorites. 

These non-diet recipes can be enjoyed by everyone. Here are a few of my favorite recipes including my mom’s signature baked spaghetti recipe.

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe from The Novice Chef brings classic flavors together in a creamy broth with fluffy dumplings. For those working with an eating disorder dietitian, this comforting dish can be adjusted to meet specific nutritional requirements, adding warmth to a non-diet meal plan.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups chicken broth

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup whole milk or heavy cream

2 cups self-rising flour

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions:

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add shredded chicken, salt, and pepper.

In a separate bowl, mix together the milk and flour until a dough forms. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the pot, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until dumplings are cooked through.

*Cut canned biscuits into fourths for a quick alternative!

Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Recipe adapted from The Novice Chef’s Homemade Chicken and Dumplings.




Mom’s Baked Spaghetti 


My mom has made this recipe for years. She derived it from several sources and made it into her own. We eat this throughout the year but specifically at Christmas. This dish freezes well and can be served at a later time. 

Ingredients:

2 cups canned, diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato sauce

1 cup water

½ cup diced onion

½ cup diced green pepper

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning 

2 garlic cloves 

1/ ½ teaspoons House Seasoning

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 ½ teaspoons sugar

2 small bay leaves

1 ½ lbs ground beef

½ lb spicy sausage

8 oz angel hair pasta

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese 


Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 

In a stockpot combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and let simmer, covered for 1 hour. 

Crumble ground beef and sausage in large skillet. Cook over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain the fat from the meat and then add to the stockpot. Simmer for 20 minutes. 

Cook pasta according to the package instructions. 

Cover the bottom of a 9x13x2 pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and then less than ½ of each cheese. Repeat, ending with sauce on top. 

Bake 30 minutes

Top the casserole with remaining cheese and return to oven until melted and bubbly. 

Classic Pecan Pie

A dessert staple in our household and my husband’s favorite This recipe from AllRecipes delivers a sweet, nutty flavor with a hint of caramel. Perfect for any fall gathering. 

Ingredients:

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups pecans

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.

Place pecans in the pie crust and pour the filling over them.

Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the filling is set. Allow the pie to cool before slicing.

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes’ Pecan Pie.

These comforting fall recipes are simple to make and bring all the rich flavors of the season to your table. Savor the tastes of fall with these cozy dishes, and enjoy every flavorful moment of the season!

Contact Us

Emilee Young is an eating disorder dietitian and founder of Embrace Nutrition Counseling. She supports all ages and genders in healing their relationship with food and embracing their natural body size. She specializes in binge eating disorder and works from a Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating framework.

Embrace Nutrition Counseling provides virtual nutrition counseling to residents in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Including Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond Virginia. 

Services offered include support for:

Eating disorders 

Disordered Eating

Eating challenges related to anxiety, depression, and trauma

Prenatal and Postpartum Support

Next
Next

What Is Body Grief?