MAKE IT CUTE

Ahh, fall cooking. We're willing to bet that those words instantly evoke some kind of comforting memory.

Maybe it's the smell of sweet cinnamon in the air as Mom makes oatmeal for breakfast on that first chilly weekday. Or maybe it's Grandma Jo's Pinterest-perfect stuffed acorn squash. (And she still has no idea what Pinterest is.) Or maybe it's that last bite of your fave coffee shop's low-key famous pumpkin muffins that you savor before returning to midterms studying. (Whyyyy did that café have to close last year?!) 

We're calling it now: This is your ~culinary~ era and it's time to pick up the (metaphorical) oven mitts. (Obvi, get your fam's permission before using the actual oven.) 

By creating these standby fall recipes, you're going to learn new skills, find fun flavors you heart, discover a reliable way to relax when you're stressing and maybe even bond with fam and friends as they join you on your delish DIY of the day. Yep, pretty much checking off everything on your "new school year" vision board in one activity...with leftovers to boot. Once you master these, you can consider yourself a, well, master chef. 

In honor of Cook Something Bold Day on Nov. 8, we rounded up four of the most nostalgic, aromatic and (of course) yummy fall recipes. Let's get cooking!

Perfect Pumpkin Chili | Recipe: One Lovely Life 

POV: You're curled up on the couch, wrapped in your coziest sweats and a big fluffy blanket, either turning the pages of your current #BookTok obsession before rewatching Twilight for the, er, millionth time. Now you're going to capture that entire feeling in a nutrious, filling, "simple yet so complex" pumpkin chili. 

This recipe makes an impressive fall family dinner and even comes with leftovers to last all week long. That is, unless you all spring for seconds, thirds and fourths. (Entirely possible.) (Speaking from experience.) 

Time: 40 minutes

Talent Level: Total beginners can nail the veggie version. For the ground beef, maybe request a sous chef (hey, Dad). 

Ingredients: It's possible you already have everything you need. Peek through the fridge and pantry for key staples (spices, beans, pumpkin purée, green pepper, ground beef, onion, canned tomatoes) and head to your local market for the rest. 

Pair With: Cornbread. Save time with a mix: We heart 365 by Whole Foods Market Cornbread & Muffin Mix, $3, Amazon or, for gluten-free gals, Stonewall Kitchen Gluten-free Cornbread Mix, $13, Amazon. (Tortilla chips also work.) 

Special Diets: Speaking of gluten-free, this chili is just that—and dairy-free, too. The recipe includes swaps to make it vegan (TLDR: beans).

RELATED: Everything you need to know before going vegetarian 

Keep In Mind: The chili tastes even better the next day when the flavors have time to sit and combine. 

Elevate It: You're inviting the besties over for Friendsgiving...and this chili is the main course. Show off your hosting chops by adding a small seasonal (and simple!) app—like this autumnal green salad from Cookie + Kate. 

Similar Substitute: Not into the "chili when it's chilly" thing? (Sorry, had to.) Then try another protein-packed, wholesome option like this roasted vegetable pasta from Veggie Inspired. Or just keep scrolling. 

One Pan Autumn Chicken | Recipe: Cooking Classy

Your parents just found out they're hosting Thanksgiving this year...for both sides of the fam. Yes, that is over 20 (!) out-of-town relatives crashing in your neighborhood for the entire weekend. OK, don't panic. We've got your back. 

Sure, you might have to share your room with your second cousin Hannah (and her 23-step skincare routine) or spend nearly a half hour smiling for Aunt Jenni's Android...just for her to say "all the pictures turned out blurry." But trust, someday you may look back with nostalgia at all the bonding—and having guests is a great opportunity to get cooking. 

Bring the whole crew together with this crowd-pleaser chicken dish: It's healthy, Instagram-worthy and tasty to even picky eaters (looking at you, lil' bro.) Promise, the fact that you are able to make this meal is going to get Grandpa Phil to stop asking about your grades ever again. It's giving Ratatouille. 

Time: 50 minutes (20 to prep, 30 to cook)

Talent Level: Intermediate. There are a few steps and you need to be careful handling raw chicken. Call in some assistants (aka your cousins, aunts, uncles, sibs...anyone who won't be cooking on Thanksgiving Day). 

Ingredients: Head to the grocery store for this one since you'll need chicken, bacon and lots of autumn veggies—best to snag 'em fresh. 

RELATED: Hate vegetables? These recipes will change your mind 

Pair With: Tbh, this meal doesn't need a side dish (it's "one pan" for a reason) but a little harvest rice never hurts (try RiceSelect Royal Blend, $7, Amazon). 

Special Diets: Another meal that's already gluten- and dairy-free? Score! For a plant-based option, pair the roasted veggies with BBQ baked tofu (Nora Cooks has a delish how-to). 

Keep In Mind: Make sure to get chicken thighs with the bone in and skin on. 

Elevate It: This meal is so gorgeous and flavorful that to suggest any glow-up just feels wrong. But if you must, consider the trendy, photogenic Great Jones Hot Dish, $90 for optimal presentation. 

Similar Substitute: One-pan meals are sublime for busy beginner cooks, so if this chicken feels too complicated, try Hummusapien's Southwestern Sheet Pan Dinner. (P.S. You can easily turn everything on that sheet pan into tacos, nachos or burritos. Win!) 

Sweet Potato Pie | Recipe: Taste of Home 

It's sweet! It's savory! It's the ultimate autumn treat and it's so. dang. delicious. You live for sweet potato fries, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows...now it's time to add sweet potato (in pie form!) to the dessert table.

Pumpkin pie's slightly more mature big sister, the filling of the sweet potato pie isn't particularly tough to make (and modify) even for complete kitchen newbies. So feel free to take the lead—and even rope your little cousins in on the fun. (Hey, whatever gets them to stop staring at Bluey for half an hour...) 

P.S. This is going to be the dish your great-grandkids serve, like, 200 years from now when they're asked to make a famous fam delicacy. Yes, it's that good. 

Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes (30 to prep, 50 to cook) 

Talent Level: Bring in supports for the early steps (aka the dough and sweet potatoes) and anything involving a hot oven. (P.S. The adorably stylish Poppy Oven Mitts from Furbish Studio, $24 make your first big baking sesh a serious Insta moment. Awww.) 

Ingredients: This recipe asks for homemade dough and whole sweet potatoes (OK, ambitious girlies, we see you) but if you're less "DIY" and more "dying with how much you have to do this time of year," use a 9-inch frozen premade crust and a 15-ounce can of sweet potatoes. (Find them both at your local grocery store.) 

If you do go the storebought route (hey, someone made it...just not you??) look at a recipe that's been tested with frozen crust, like this Simple Sweet Potato Pie from Tasting Table. 

Pair With: Whipped cream, of course! Do it your way: Classic, vegan, zero sugar or even homemade—this JoyFoodSunshine recipe needs only three ingredients and five minutes.

RELATED: Holiday desserts you need to start making every year

Special Diets: Beginner bakers, skip the swaps: Yes, you could make the entirely vegan and gluten-free pie found on Rhian's Recipes (this one seems easier than the original, tbh) or just wow the crowd with these beyond yummy vegan, gluten-free, everyone-will-want-seconds-so-you-better-make-extra Apple Pie Crumble Bars from Minimalist Baker. (Pair with "good for everyone" So Delicious Coconut Milk Vanilla Bean ice cream...or skip the baking and just serve the ice cream.) 

Keep In Mind: Leave lots of extra time to get the baking just right and allow the pie to chill. 

Elevate It: Sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice before serving. Oh, and save that leftover sweet potato for these Healthy Sweet Potato Brownies from The Roasted Root. (Healthy means we can eat them for breakfast, right? Asking for a friend.) 

Similar Substitute: Not so sweet on the sweet potato? Nbd. You can always dazzle with a daring take (Salted PB&J Ice Cream Pie, Bon Appetit), commit to a classic (Easy Pumpkin Pie, Inspired Taste) or even ditch the pie thing to dish up a guaranteed hit (Preppy Kitchen's S'mores Cookies have us thinking that maybe 3 p.m. on a Tuesday is a good time to make dessert...) 

Plus, your beginner home chef essentials...

GIR 5-Piece Ultimate Tool Set in Madrid, $65

Anthropologie Rayas Apron in Warm, $34

Natural Life Storage Containers in Dog, Set of 3, $9

Happy cooking! Serving up more food inspo just for you, babe: 
🎃 How to make your own pumpkin spice latte
🍪 These easy vegan cookies are perfect for holiday baking season
🥑 Level up your busy-day breakfasts with *this* simple, energizing recipe

by Katherine Hammer | 11/8/2023