Autumn gatherings call for relaxed, soul-soothing dishes. Satisfy your guests with a slow-simmered braise or comforting pot pie, hearty vegetables, robust drinks, and rich, warming desserts. We’ve gathered 16 of our most popular fall recipes shared by chefs, tastemakers, and entertaining gurus.
Fall Recipe Collection
Florence Fabricant's Butternut Squash Soup
Libby Page serves this creamy soup, a favorite recipe from Florence Fabricant, originally published in the New York Times. It’s wildly popular with more than 2000 user ratings.
Savory Chicken Pot Pies
Babette’s Kitchen in Millbrook, New York, shares their tasty version of a soul-warming favorite. Photo by Monica Buck.
Butternut Squash, Asparagus, and Pea Lasagna
Héloïse Brion, who learned the art of cooking and casual-chic entertaining from her French grandmother, shares a rustic vegetable lasagna from her book, Miss Maggie’s Kitchen.
Spiced Orange and Maple Coffee
P. Allen Smith added a few special ingredients to his go-to Westrock coffee for a festive, flavorful beverage.
Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
This recipe proves you can prepare crowd-pleasing pumpkin treats beyond the traditional pumpkin pie. Recipe by P. Allen Smith.
Gin Pear Cocktails
Guests at Wendy Wurtzburger and Chris Bentley’s fall harvest gathering sipped on gin pear cocktails crafted by chef Robin Bentley, the couple's son. The drinks were blended with Liberty Gin, handmade in Philadelphia by family friend and distiller Walter Palmer. Photo by Alison Conklin. (See more recipes from this gathering in the next four slides.)
Rye Focaccia with Fennel
Plate this homemade bread on a cheese board with berries and figs, or slather toasted slices with a savory spread, such as tomato confit. Recipe by Robin Bentley. Photo by Alison Conklin.
Bourbon Braised Pork Shoulder
A cheesy, herbed polenta accompanies this hearty main dish. Recipe by Robin Bentley. Photo by Alison Conklin.
Roasted Kabocha Squash
A citronette dressing brightens the earthy flavors of roasted kabocha squash (also known as Japanese pumpkin). Recipe by Robin Bentley. Photo by Alison Conklin.
Pear and Hazelnut Cake
A tray of pears stands ready to be prepared for chef Lidey Heuck's delicious cake recipe. Photo by Alison Conklin.
Chickpea Soup
Warm up with Frances Schultz’s rendition of the Italian dish, Zuppa de Ceci, from her book California Cooking and Southern Style. Serve it as the first course when entertaining or as the main dish for a quick weeknight dinner.
Creamy Artichoke, Bacon, and Parmesan Dip
At Elvie’s in Jackson, Mississippi, Chef Hunter Evans uses this rich, savory dip to top Oysters Elvaretta, a signature dish named after his grandmother, the restaurant’s namesake.
Beet Hummus
“At harvest time, take a moment to admire the wonderful colors in nature, like the vibrant purple tones of beets,” says Finnish stylist and recipe developer Sanna Länsivierto, who pairs her vibrant beet hummus with gluten-free crispbread with seeds. Photo by Krista Keltanen. (For another take on beets from Sanna, see our next slide.)
Beet, Quinoa, and Goat Cheese Salad
Peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar balance the flavors of steamed beets in this autumn salad. Recipe and styling by Sanna Länsivierto. Photo by Krista Keltanen.
Smoked Old-Fashioned
The late British designer William Yeoward loved this smoky version of the classic cocktail. Enjoy it slowly—as the ice melts, the flavor develops.
Lobster Bisque
This decadent dish from cookbook author and renowned host Alex Hitz is the ultimate special-occasion fare on a chilly evening.