Anyone have some easy fall dinner ideas?

[stephc777]

I am in a cooking rut and am not wanting to spend a lot of time making dinner right now. I'm looking for some simple dinners - I have an air fryer and instant pot, so I'm open to recipes using those as well. Here is a new simple recipe I got off instagram and made this week - it was delicious.

 

[kristalund]

I love getting menu inspiration through here:
https://www.instagram.com/traderjoes5itemsorless/

 

[lizziej]

I happened upon this recipe a couple of years ago, and we all really like it!
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/meat-loaf-muffins. I use a non-stick pan, and cleanup is really easy! I use Italian-style bread crumbs to give it a bit more flavor and red bell pepper to add a bit more sweetness.

 

[LauraOD]

I make this one a lot: Beefy American Goulash from EmilyBites

https://emilybites.com/2016/08/beefy-american-goulash.html

 

[AlyciaIN]

We like to make a large batch (in a water bath canner sized pan) of our family's vegetable beef soup in the fall. We freeze it in meal-sized portions so we can microwave them quickly for a delicious, fast dinner. We also make double or triple batches of other soups, meatloaf, casseroles, etc again freezing them in meal-sized portions for quick, yummy dinners. That way we're using our favorite recipes but the prep is done all at one time and then we enjoy lots of easier meals.

 

[AlyciaIN]

Here's one of our favorite casseroles, Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake. It freezes well too, so the day we make it, we have it for a meal. Then we freeze enough for two more meals (there are only 2 of us). I like it because the quinoa is a good protein source, instead of the carbs in rice. You can also use half quinoa and half basmati rice if you prefer.

https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/black-bean-and-quinoa-enchilada-bake/

 

[AmieN1]

SO agree on the cooking rut- I'm going to keep my eye on this thread for sure. We billet 2 of our local hockey club boys (16 & 18) on top of our own teenagers, 13 & 16, so LOTS of food goes through my kitchen! Additionally, both my kids have Sports & Activities a lot in the evenings so easy, fast dinners are my jam!

A few of the faves from everyone:
Hawaiian huli huli Chicken (we have rice & stir-fried veggies with the grilled pineapple for sides)
Instant Pot Olive Garden chicken Pasta (usually have breadsticks & green salad)
Instant Pot Chicken Lettuce Wraps (usually we just do rice or fried rice as a side, sometimes we will also do some stir-fried veggies)

We also get a half a beef every fall, so we do a lot of Spaghetti, Tacos, Steaks, Beef roasts in the crockpot, etc.

 

[stephc777]

Wow - thanks for the recommend - I love TJ's and shop there a good amount!

I love getting menu inspiration through here:
https://www.instagram.com/traderjoes5itemsorless/

 

[stephc777]

These look yummy! I like the portioning. It sounds like you can freeze them too and then reheat. Definitely trying this.

I happened upon this recipe a couple of years ago, and we all really like it!
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/meat-loaf-muffins. I use a non-stick pan, and cleanup is really easy! I use Italian-style bread crumbs to give it a bit more flavor and red bell pepper to add a bit more sweetness.

 

[stephc777]

This looks delicious and I like that the recipe has the nutritional info too. It helps my hubby to get onboard when he can see that stuff =) Thanks for sharing!

I make this one a lot: Beefy American Goulash from EmilyBites

https://emilybites.com/2016/08/beefy-american-goulash.html

 

[stephc777]

I've been wanting to try more vegetarian dishes. I might even send it to my vegan son and see if it can adjusted to his specifications. I'm always at a loss of what to make when he comes to visit ... Thanks for the recommendation!

Here's one of our favorite casseroles, Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake. It freezes well too, so the day we make it, we have it for a meal. Then we freeze enough for two more meals (there are only 2 of us). I like it because the quinoa is a good protein source, instead of the carbs in rice. You can also use half quinoa and half basmati rice if you prefer.

https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/black-bean-and-quinoa-enchilada-bake/

 

[stephc777]

These look delicious. Definitely going to try the Olive Garden chicken pasta. Thanks so much!

SO agree on the cooking rut- I'm going to keep my eye on this thread for sure. We billet 2 of our local hockey club boys (16 & 18) on top of our own teenagers, 13 & 16, so LOTS of food goes through my kitchen! Additionally, both my kids have Sports & Activities a lot in the evenings so easy, fast dinners are my jam!

A few of the faves from everyone:
Hawaiian huli huli Chicken (we have rice & stir-fried veggies with the grilled pineapple for sides)
Instant Pot Olive Garden chicken Pasta (usually have breadsticks & green salad)
Instant Pot Chicken Lettuce Wraps (usually we just do rice or fried rice as a side, sometimes we will also do some stir-fried veggies)

We also get a half a beef every fall, so we do a lot of Spaghetti, Tacos, Steaks, Beef roasts in the crockpot, etc.

 

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

I love Julia Pacheco's YouTube channel. I've only made about 6 recipes, but EVERY SINGLE RECIPE was voted on as a repeat. Lots of crock pot, sheet dinners, quick and easy skillets, etc. I love that she makes it very flavorful and every recipe was quickly completed. Hope you'll find something you enjoy!

 

[karlimarie]

I am obsessed with this new to me dish. I couldn’t find the exact version I used, but this looks close.

You can make it as an instant pot dish, or make it ahead of time and freeze it. We served it with tortilla chips.

My kids wouldn’t eat it, but they seem to survive on air so…

https://thecozycook.com/chicken-enchilada-soup/

 

[stephc777]

Thank you for the recommendation, Cheryl! I went and watched one of her videos with 5 quick & easy sheet pan meals & they look delish. I will have to get the ingredients to try a couple of them in the next couple of weeks.

I love Julia Pacheco's YouTube channel. I've only made about 6 recipes, but EVERY SINGLE RECIPE was voted on as a repeat. Lots of crock pot, sheet dinners, quick and easy skillets, etc. I love that she makes it very flavorful and every recipe was quickly completed. Hope you'll find something you enjoy!

 

[Brendazzle]

We love these air fryer wings - https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/air-fryer-chicken-wings/

I sub in hot honey for the regular and replaced some of the salt with ghost pepper salt because I like it hot!

I know it's really more summer than fall but we like to pair the wings with Instant pot corn - https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/instant-pot-corn-on-the-cob/

 

[Robin Carlton]

Krista, the TJ instagram account is awesome!!

 

[carrie1977]

We eat this lasagna soup quite a bit. I use 1lb of spicy italian sausage and 1lb ground beef (recipe calls for 2lb ground beef). It's so tasty.
https://iambaker.net/lasagna-soup/

 

[nesser1981]

We do a lot of Sheet Pan Dinners
https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/sheet-pan-sausage-and-veggies/

Last night I did a steak one, just so simple.

Pick a protein, veggies and season, roast.

 

[porkchopsmom]

my family really liked this. My DD requested a week after I first made it
https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/holy-moly-casserole/

 

[kelley]

Choosing dinners gets tiring for sure. Each week I choose something Italian, something Mexican, something American, and pizza haha. Always have to have pizza. Here are some of the meals we do regularly:

American:
1. Chicken sandwiches
2. Tuna melts
3. Hot dogs with baked beans
4. Burgers
5. Mac n cheese
6. Chili mac
7. Chili with cornbread

Mexican:
1. Quesadillas
2. Spanish rice bake
3. Enchiladas
4. Burrito or taco bar
5. Nachos or totchos (tater tot nachos)

Italian:
1. Spaghetti and meatballs
2. Pesto pasta
3. Lasagna
4. tortellini alfredo
5. Baked ziti

Other cuisines:
1. Fried rice with tofu and veggies
2. African peanut stew
3. Spicy peanut noodles
4. Veggie lo mein and egg rolls