The autumn season is a time when the leaves begin to change, when big sweaters make their way out of the depths of the closet, when the crisp scent of your favorite candle floods your bedroom and, best of all, it is a time to absolutely devour your beloved comfort foods. Whether it be butternut squash, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato or an array of different spices, there is always a “fall favorite” flavor that seemingly speaks to one’s soul. Here are a few ideas to (pumpkin) spice up the classics and take them to the next level this autumn!
Mac and cheese is not just for college kids and toddlers. Anyone, of any age, can indulge in this rich and satisfying dish. Mac and cheese, as it is, is a perfect comfort food for these crisp autumn evenings, but for those wishing to go the extra mile to make it undoubtedly a hidden gem, adding butternut squash and bacon will certainly take it one step further. The butternut squash adds a fun element to your typical macaroni and cheese, making for the perfect autumnal comfort food. You can find a recipe for this unique take on mac and cheese here: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe
Green bean casserole is the perfect food to indulge in when you are in the spirit for some much needed comfort food. Green beans mixed in cream of mushroom soup and topped with crispy fried onions is already delectable as is, but for an extra fall touch, add in some brussel sprouts and bacon. This casserole would work well as a side dish served with your choice of Thanksgiving meat or simply with the company of your friends and family. Here is the recipe for one take on this timeless casserole: Green Bean and Brussel Sprout Casserole
Looking for delicious autumnal after-school snacks? Well, you are in luck! There is never a wrong answer when it comes to pumpkin. One tasty treat that includes pumpkin is classic pumpkin bread. A moist and flavorful loaf of pumpkin bread is sure to put you in a good mood after a long day at school. Add in some chocolate chips for an extra element of sweetness, or opt for a warm spice like cinnamon, allspice or nutmeg to elevate it even further. Pumpkin bread is just one great option though! After carving your jack-o-lanterns this Halloween, be sure to save the seeds as well! You can roast them in the oven with a hefty sprinkle of your ideal seasons or spices to create a quick and easy, yet delightful, fall snack. Both of these fall foods create a sense of comfort with how simple these recipes are!
Click here for a pumpkin bread recipe Link to a pumpkin seed recipe
As the winds pick up and the leaves start falling, it is the perfect time to start cooking the soups you craved in the summer. The fall season is home to a wide variety of soups. No matter if it is pumpkin, tomato or broccoli cheddar, everyone has a soup that they crave as the temperatures drop. Here are some fall-flavored soup ideas to indulge your season-specific cravings. Roasted pumpkin soup is a no-brainer. It is made with a soft, creamy pumpkin base and is topped with all of your favorite fall spices including thyme, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. You can find the recipe here: Roasted Pumpkin Soup. Another soup that will be satisfying your need for warm comfort food is broccoli potato soup. This soup has a buttery broth mixed with a good proportion of broccoli, cheese and potato. It is definitely a “must-try” soup before this autumn is over. This is one variation of the recipe Broccoli and Potato Soup.
Autumn is known for its flavorful desserts. Of course, there is the variety of different pies, ranging from apple to pecan, apple cider doughnuts and an uncountable number of sugary drinks with a fall flavor profile. However, if you want to try something new and unique, you can try pumpkin cinnamon rolls. The beloved doughy, soft cinnamon rolls meet fall spices in the creation of a unique approach to pumpkin pie. If you are an apple pie person rather than a pumpkin pie person, apple and caramel flavored cheesecake is the dessert for you! This quick bake cheesecake has the flavors of the well known apple pie, just in a new form. It is sweet, sugary and the perfect amount of crumbly. The cinnamon, apples, butter and brown sugar are reimagined to create this new take on apple pie. Try the recipe here and see for yourself if this cheesecake lives up to the hype of traditional apple pie.
Autumn is the perfect time to try out new recipes and to reinvent old classics. As the temperatures drop and the summer fades into winter, we crave comfort food and the familiar warmth of inviting flavors. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, rosemary, cardamom and ginger, among others, make up the nostalgic tastes of fall, causing us to express our love and appreciate this time of year through mouth-watering comfort foods.
