Simplify the season with this effortless fall meal plan, including of 40+ fall dinner ideas. From easy weeknight dinner recipes to cozy weekend meals, read on for all the recipes plus an easy capsule meal plan to make planning a breeze!
As someone who wrote the book on simplifying healthy routines, I know how hard it can be to get dinner on the table when you’re short on time and energy.
Just as a capsule wardrobe constrains the items of clothing you have, allowing you to decide ahead of time how those pieces go together into outfits, a capsule meal plan constrains the meal types (or categories) you cook, allowing you to decide ahead of time what you’ll cook and eat each day.
The magic of a capsule meal plan is that it helps reduce decision fatigue around meals, making it more likely that you’ll stick with the plan.
And, if you love the idea of capsule meal planning, check out our done-for-you summer meal plan as well!
Note: You’ll find many dump-and-go slow cooker recipes in this collection, as they’re perfect for busy weeknights. If you don’t have a slow cooker, though, no worries. Most recipes include stovetop adaptations.
This Easy Italian Chicken Zucchini Skillet combines chicken, zucchini, tomatoes and classic Italian flavors for an easy, one-pot dinner you can make any night of the week. I love that it's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 friendly and ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, butter (optional: traditional or dairy-free), fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil and salt.
This easy chicken and sweet potatoes skillet can be made quickly on the stovetop and then baked in the oven. Plus it includes a delicious honey butter & chipotle pan sauce everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), sweet potatoes, avocado oil, honey, butter (traditional or plant-based), chipotle peppers (from canned in adobo sauce), garlic and salt.
Solve weeknight dinner tonight with this quick turkey taco skillet! Made with simple pantry ingredients like ground turkey, it’s a lighter meal on its own or can be used as a delicious taco or burrito filling or delectable nacho topping.
Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, garlic powder, cumin, canned black beans, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, frozen corn, olive oil and salt.
This healthy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a fast, easy last minute dinner idea that’s so tasty you’ll want to put into your regular weeknight rotation. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, so keep this one in your backpocket for busy weeks!
This easy, vegetarian black bean and sweet potato enchiladas recipe is simple to prepare in just one pan and yields super flavorful, delicious results every time!
Ingredients: sweet potato, black beans, spices, cream cheese, tortillas, red enchilada sauce.
This easy slow cooker lentil soup is made with simple pantry ingredients like green lentils, celery, carrot and spinach making for a hearty vegan and vegetarian meal. Plus instant pot and stovetop directions!
Ingredients: Green (or brown) lentils, stock, onion, celery, carrot, diced tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, spinach, salt and bay leaves.
Made with simple pantry ingredients, sweet potato peanut soup is a hearty, satisfying vegetarian meal that will have everyone heading back for seconds.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, fire roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth (or chicken broth), coconut milk, creamy unsweetened peanut butter, baby spinach, lime juice and salt.
These easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling. Make tonight taco night!
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato sauce, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, granulated garlic powder, paprika and salt
Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
Crockpot white chicken chili is an easy prep, dump and go recipe, made with healthy ingredients and deliciously creamy without any dairy. Also includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions!
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free).
This easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a simple, healthy chili that's super easy to prep! So delicious and crowd-pleasing, it's a sure hit as a weeknight dinner, game day spread, or cozy meal for a weekend in.
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices.
This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
Creamy and warming, pumpkin and sweet potato soup is an easy, healthy, vegan soup that can be made with canned pumpkin on the stovetop or in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, chipotle peppers, vegetable broth, coconut milk or cream, pumpkin pie spice, olive oil, onion, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and salt.
Cozy, warming, and wildly simple to prepare, this easy slow cooker butternut squash soup gets tons of flavor from sweet apple and doesn't contain any curry powder! Once you make it, this will become your new favorite butternut squash soup.
Ingredients: Butternut squash, apples, onion, carrot, turmeric, coconut milk, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and other spices.
This easy slow cooker pumpkin soup recipe is so easy to prepare with canned pumpkin! It's a simple dump-and-go slow cooker meal that's perfectly rich, creamy and oh-so cozy.
Ingredients: canned pumpkin puree, vegetable stock, canned tomato sauce, cream or coconut milk, onion, garlic, cinnamon and salt.
Simple and hearty, slow cooker hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables and ground beef, and can be simmered all day in the slow cooker or made in 35 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, chicken stock (or beef stock), olive oil, potatoes, red & yellow bell peppers, red wine vinegar, water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
Super easy and incredibly delicious, this easy slow cooker black bean soup leans on pantry ingredients like canned black beans for a simple, craveable, go-to dinner recipe. It’s a family favorite that you’ll wanna make again & again!
Ingredients: canned black beans, stock, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, lime juice, olive oil and salt.
Roasted Butternut Squash Harvest Salad is bursting with fresh fall flavors and perfect for your autumn, holiday table or any night of the week. A gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 recipe.
Ingredients: butternut squash, red onion, sweet apples, baby arugula, maple syrup, cinnamon, pepitas, olive oil and a lemony dressing
Autumn Meal Prep Lentil Salad is packed with nutrition and full of beautiful fall flavors. Perfect to prep-ahead and take for lunch, or enjoy as a side dish anytime. A gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan recipe.
Ingredients: lentils, olive oil, butternut squash, greens, pepitas, and an easy maple Dijon vinaigrette.
This easy roasted green bean & Brussels sprout recipe is hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor. The perfect side for Thanksgiving dinner or any night of the week!
Ingredients: green beans, shallots, brussels sprouts, olive oil, lemon juice, roasted chopped pecans, cranberries and salt
Effortless Fall Meal Plan: Featuring Butternut Squash Soup
Servings: 6
Prep: 15 minutesmins
Cook: 20 minutesmins
Total: 35 minutesmins
This cozy Butternut Squash Soup is a super simple, easy fall dinner recipe that’s perfect to make on busy weeknights or autumn weekends. Plus 40+ more easy dinner ideas you can use for your Fall Meal Plan this season!
Add the onion, carrot, apple, butternut squash, garlic, salt, turmeric, cinnamon and stock to a 6-quart pressure cooker.
Secure the lid, select the manual setting, and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the pressure cooker timer is done, quick release the pressure.
Uncover and add the coconut milk (or cream, if using). Using an immersion blender, blend until very smooth. Alternatively, working in batches, carefully ladle the soup into a blender and blend on high until smooth.
Taste and add additional salt if desired. Serve with any toppings you like.
Stovetop Variation:
Follow step 1, but use a large Dutch oven or pot.
Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the veggies are tender, about 25-35 minutes.
Proceed with steps 4-5.
Notes
This soup freezes beautiful. Here are my simplified tips for freezing.Have fun with the toppings for this one. I’ve provided some options in the recipe, but feel free to use your taste and what you have on hand as a guide.
This capsule meal plan was a GAME CHANGER. It streamlined meal plan and took the thinking out of weeknight meals. Guess what. My family was totally okay with having tacos every week. Could you do this for summer time too?
Emily, so happy you found Real Food Whole Life, we’re so glad you’re here! And you’re in luck–we have a summer capsule post coming soon! You can jump on our weekly email list to be first to know when it’s published! Cheers!
I’ve LOVED the summer email series and have really appreciated how helpful and organized it is! Do you have plans to release this set as weekly menus? (The printable menus have been so helpful- and I don’t see that in the fall menu unless i’m missing it!) Thank you 🙂
Hi Katie, yay, so happy to hear you enjoyed the series and the printable! We don’t have a printable for fall as of yet. we have a couple of things in the works for fall, so not sure how this one will slot in, but we will definitely let the Good List know first if we do. Cheers!
This capsule meal plan was a GAME CHANGER. It streamlined meal plan and took the thinking out of weeknight meals. Guess what. My family was totally okay with having tacos every week. Could you do this for summer time too?
Megan, yay, so happy to hear the capsule meal plan is working for you! Yes, we have plans to do another for spring/summer so stay tuned. 🙂
Found your blog from pinterest, and I’m so glad I did! This is so helpful! Would love to see a capsule meal plan for each season!
Emily, so happy you found Real Food Whole Life, we’re so glad you’re here! And you’re in luck–we have a summer capsule post coming soon! You can jump on our weekly email list to be first to know when it’s published! Cheers!
I’ve LOVED the summer email series and have really appreciated how helpful and organized it is! Do you have plans to release this set as weekly menus? (The printable menus have been so helpful- and I don’t see that in the fall menu unless i’m missing it!) Thank you 🙂
Hi Katie, yay, so happy to hear you enjoyed the series and the printable! We don’t have a printable for fall as of yet. we have a couple of things in the works for fall, so not sure how this one will slot in, but we will definitely let the Good List know first if we do. Cheers!