33 Best Recipes to Make in October

Let’s take a look at some of the very best recipes to make in October!

Ahh, October. A month full of comfy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and warm family gatherings.

You need the right food to match the coziness.

There are comforting staples like chili and pot pies to warm-spiced baked goods like banana bread and pumpkin waffles.

These recipes seem to taste better during the spooky season.

So, next time you ponder what to make during a chilly fall night, browse this list of recipes to make in October. 

1. Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

This old-fashioned macaroni and cheese tastes just like how grandma used to make it.

Tender macaroni bathed in velvety sauce with plenty of melted cheese? Where do I sign up?

The best part about this macaroni is the crispy top, which adds a nice subtle crunch to counter all the creaminess. 

This recipe is timeless and tastes like pure comfort. There’s a reason why this dish is an American classic. 

2. Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash soup is an all-time October favorite for me.

It’s so easy to make, and the results are incredibly cozy.

Each sip has a soothing silky texture to warm you up during the first frost of the season.

Plus, when you make this soup, tantalizing aromas will escape your kitchen.

It’ll give your home a warm, inviting fragrance, like a soup-scented Yankee candle. 

3. Easy Pizza Casserole

Is it bolognese? Or is it deep-dish? Or both? 

This recipe might have a bit of an identity crisis on its hands but fear not.

This pizza casserole is the ultimate comfort food. 

You start by drowning pre-boiled penne pasta in a rich, meaty tomato sauce.

Then, add a generous helping of mozzarella and sliced pepperoni on top.

After a round in the oven, the cheese gets nice and melted and the pepperoni becomes crisp. 

4. Quick and Easy Nachos

I love a good batch of quick-and-dirty nachos like the next person, but this recipe is next level.

You won’t find any skimpy chips here, these nachos have layers.

Some toppings include guac, ground beef, cilantro, and lots and lots of cheese.

Serve these easy-breezy nachos at your next Super Bowl party.

You can whip up a batch faster than you can say, “touchdown!”

5. Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts

While October calls for hibernation, it doesn’t mean you have to pack on the calories.

This light salad treats your taste buds to all the classic fall flavors like cranberries, pears, and walnuts.

This autumn cornucopia sits on top of a bed of greens with a delicate balsamic dressing drizzled on top.

6. Pumpkin Butter

I’ve never tried making pumpkin butter, but after reading this recipe, it’s on my to-do list this October.

It’s a must-have fall staple that’s creamy, flavorful, and jam-packed with warm spices.

You can slather this pumpkin butter on a slice of toast or enjoy it on waffles.

If you look forward to your annual PSL from Starbucks, you’ll love this festive recipe. 

7. Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Pumpkin pie or cobbler? It’s the classic conundrum we all face during October.

Now, you won’t have to choose! This recipe smashes both desserts together to create this fantastic pumpkin crunch cake.

The silky, creamy bottom is full of rich, sweet pumpkin flavors. The topping is crunchy, crumbly, and crisp.

Together, it’s a match made in heaven, perfect for brunches and dinner parties alike. 

8. Butternut Squash Ravioli

Free up your plans next Sunday and spend the day making this insanely decadent butternut squash ravioli.

Homemade pasta holds together a mixture of creamy butternut squash and fragrant sage. 

This recipe doesn’t stop there. You also create a special homemade garlic wine sauce to serve with your ravioli.

Spoiler alert: it might taste even better than the pasta.

9. New England Clam Chowder

I look forward to making homemade clam chowder every fall.

The silky stew was practically made for chilly, gray October days.

This cozy recipe combines salty clams, silky potatoes, and smoky bacon with an ultra-thick, creamy broth.

Each mouthful will instantly cure the rainy-day blues. 

10. McCormick Chili

October can get a little busy (I’m looking at you parents and college students). That’s where this chili recipe comes in handy.

You can have it ready in just 25 minutes.

Put on an episode of your favorite sitcom, and have a delicious meal ready by the time the next episode starts.

Each cozy bite has the perfect amount of spicy to counter frigid October nights. 

11. 3-Ingredient Banana Bread

After sinking your teeth into this dense, moist bread, you’ll have a hard time believing there are only 3 ingredients inside.

Well, there is a catch. One of the ingredients is cake mix.

This simple hack will save you time, money, and energy in the kitchen.

All the dry ingredients are measured out and combined into one powder.

Just add bananas and eggs, then bake! It doesn’t get any easier than that.

12. Butternut Squash Quiche with Caramelized Onions

Whether you serve this quiche for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll leave the table feeling nourished and satisfied. 

Fluffy eggs hold together tasty fixings like caramelized onions, tangy goat cheese, and soft butternut squash.

This quiche takes just over an hour to make, but trust me, after one bite, you’ll be grateful you did. 

13. Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin waffles might be the greatest invention of all time.

The subtle spice of pumpkin blends beautifully with butter and maple syrup and creates a rich, comforting flavor.

Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these pumpkin waffles are sure to please. 

14. Campbell’s Chicken Pot Pie

Pot pie has to be one of the coziest meals out there. Each bite tastes like putting on your favorite sweater.

You can make this recipe using just 5 ingredients, including frozen veggies, cheddar cheese, and Campbell’s soup.

The 15-minute prep time is a breeze, making this recipe ideal for hectic weeknights when nothing is going your way. 

15. Best Lentil Soup

I get it, on this list of insanely comforting foods, lentil soup sounds a little, well, boring.

But I guarantee this recipe is anything but ordinary.  

Rich tomato broth encapsulates well-seasoned lentils and veggies.

A slight lemony aftertaste provides the perfect balance of acidity for this earthy dish.

If you need a break from all the meat and cheese-heavy meals, this vegan soup will be the perfect cozy alternative. 

16. Honeycrisp Harvest Salad

If you love sweet salads, this recipe will make your October memorable.

Chopped Honeycrisp apples (aka, the superior variety), join the likes of bacon, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. 

Intersperse this tasty medley on a bed of romaine lettuce, then bless it with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. 

The results? Absolute deliciousness. 

17. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Not a fan of Brussels sprouts? Try this salad once before you give up on the leafy veggie.

Shaved sprouts create a textured base for dried cranberries, grated cheese, and pine nuts to shine.

The bright dressing is a simple blend of olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper and adds a nice touch of acidity to the dish.

Whether you need a simple side for Sunday dinner or a healthy work lunch, you’ll love this autumnal salad. 

18. Black Bean Enchiladas

Enchiladas will go down in history as one of the best weeknight meals.

They’re healthy, easy, cheap, and oh-so-good. How can it get any better?

This recipe shows you how to make breathtaking enchiladas that use 5 simple ingredients for the base. 

Garnish these bad boys with cilantro, green onion, avocado, and queso fresco for a flavorful finish. 

19. Homemade Pumpkin Lasagna

Pumpkin lasagna is the perfect recipe for fall Sunday dinners, especially if you’re trying to impress the in-laws.

The sweetness of the pumpkin enhances the creamy white sauce, knocking this lasagna out of the park.

This recipe is so rich, you’ll move up a couple of tax brackets after dinner. 

20. Halloween Dump Cake with Candy Bars

What dump cakes lack in aesthetics, they make up for in simplicity and flavor.

Steal some of the kids’ Halloween candy.

Then, add it to a casserole dish with pretzels, cake mix, caramel sauce, and an entire stick of butter (yes, you read that right).

After a round in the oven, everything melts together to form a giant chocolate glob that tastes like pure heaven.

21. Easy Pumpkin Chili

If you haven’t tried putting pumpkin in your chili yet, where have you been? 

Not only does it add nutrients to chili, but the texture and sweetness add another level of coziness to each bite.

The next time you’re craving something healthy and nourishing, try this easy pumpkin chili. I promise you won’t regret it. 

22. Jiffy Cornbread Muffins

If you’re a cornbread purist at heart, you might turn your nose at the idea of using a boxed mix.

But this simple addition saves you endless time in the kitchen with no expense to the flavor. Every nibble still tastes 100% homemade.

Plus, the butter makes these muffins super moist and decadent.

23. Spicy Sweet Potato Hummus

Meet your new favorite hummus flavor: spicy sweet potato.

It’s got every flavor you want in a hummus- sweet, spicy, savory, and smoky. 

Dunk your pita, chopped veggies, or quesadillas into this sensational sauce and enjoy the tasty ride. 

24. Easy Pear Crisp

Forget apple crisp, what about pear crisp?

It tastes like your favorite fall dessert with a unique flavor that comes from pears. 

You topped the baked fruit with a buttery, crunchy topping consisting of oats, brown sugar, and pecans. 

With just 15 minutes of prep work, this dreamy dessert is effortlessly tasty.

25. Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

I know the Starbucks PSL is a legend, but save your hard-earned money and make this homemade version. 

You might find it tastes even better than the one you pick up on your way to work.

Five easy ingredients come together to create this divine drink.

The caffeine, pumpkin puree, and sugar will perk you up for a great day ahead.

26. Slow Cooker Apple Butter

This slow-cooker apple butter will take your morning toast to a new level.

It transforms ordinary bread into a festive fall treat. 

Plus, it makes a great gift too! Who wouldn’t welcome a jar of this sweet stuff? 

27. Autumn Squash Apple Parmesan Risotto

If you’re spending a Friday night solo, treat yourself to this decadent risotto.

There’s a ton of comfort in every spoonful that no October chill can dampen. 

It’s ready in 30 minutes and pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine and Netflix. 

28. Ina Garten’s Roast Chicken

When you host a fall dinner with the family, make a recipe approved by the Barefoot Contessa herself!

It’s juicy, savory, and jam-packed with bright herbal flavors.

And it only takes 20 minutes to prep! This foolproof recipe is hard to mess up.

If you’ve always wanted to try roasting a whole bird, this is your sign to give it a shot. 

29. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The perfect main entree needs the right accompaniment, and what better sidekick than these roasted Brussels sprouts? 

They’re nutty and sweet, with nice caramelization to keep things interesting. 

These little bites of heaven are ready in just 15 minutes! What’s not to love? 

30. Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

This is the meal your guests will be talking about years after you serve it to them. 

The flavors of sweet butternut squash, fragrant roasted garlic, and crispy prosciutto will enchant your palate.

The buttery sauce and perfectly-cooked pasta hold everything together.

Trust me, this pasta encapsulates everything you want in a decadent fall meal. 

31. Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Sausage Pasta

The flavors in this hearty dish will make you swoon.

You create a sweet-savory sauce using crisp apples and onions that clings to curved pasta. 

Along with the smoky sausage, fresh herbs, and plentiful cheese, this sensational dish scores a home run every time.

32. Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Make your fall mornings a little brighter with these cinnamon apple muffins.

Each muffin includes sweet apple bits for textural interest, along with a cinnamon sugar topping that melts on your tongue.

These grab-and-go muffins are easily portable, so make a big batch for easy breakfasts throughout the week.

33. Simple Vegetarian Sweet Potato Stew

This healthy stew marries Mediterranean flavors with warm fall spices to create a match made in heaven.

It’s packed full of good-for-you ingredients like sweet potato, spinach, and carrots.

But the flavor will remind you of your favorite comfort food. 

Serve it over couscous, quinoa, or a piece of crusty bread for a nourishing, hearty meal.