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15 x Fall Dinners for Chilly Nights

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Posted on October 17, 2026 by Simone van den Berg (Last updated on October 16, 2026)

It’s official; at least here in the Netherlands fall has officially arrived. After a couple of unusually warm days I think the weather has now turned. It’s rainy and the nights really start to get quite chilly. I thought it would be the perfect time to create a list of delicious fall dinners that are perfect for chilly nights. From easy soup recipes (some will take a bit longer to cook though!) to delicious casseroles and stews.

Fall Dinners for Cold Nights

What strikes me most in the temperature change is the fact that it’s dark so early! That makes doing my daily walks a bit more challenging. Anyway, enough about me. For now I have this delicious list of fall dinners for you to browse. My favorite? That might be the pasta with gorgonzola sauce. So tasty!

sweet potato soup with chicken

Sweet Potato Soup With Chicken

Prep time 10

Cooking time 25

Total time 35

If you love soup, this is an absolute winner. Creamy and sweet due to the sweet potato. Delicious with pulled chicken

Kale salad with pumpkin

5 from 1 vote

Kale salad with pumpkin, goat cheese and warm honey red pepper dressing.

Prep time 10

Cooking time 40

Total time 50

This delicious kale salad can be eaten warm or served cold for lunch the next day. The salad is for 2-3 people

Mashed potatoes with kale - boerenkool stamppot

5 from 2 votes

Kale Potato Mash (Dutch Boerenkool Stamppot)

Prep time 10

Cooking time 20

Total time 30

When the temperature drops and you’re craving something warm and hearty, this Dutch classic is the ultimate comfort food. Boerenkool stamppot – or kale mash with sausage – is one of the favorite winter dishes in the Netherlands, made with mashed potatoes, sautéed kale, and smoky sausage. It’s simple, cozy, and full of flavor. Think of it as the Dutch version of colcannon, the Irish mashed potato and cabbage dish, but with a bit more rustic charm and a delicious smoky twist.

Pumpkin orzo

5 from 1 vote

Pumpkin Orzo with Spinach

Prep time 10

Cooking time 10

Total time 20

One pot dishes are among some of my favorite dishes to make. Especially during a busy weeknight the are a life saver. This easy creamy pumpkin orzo is made with spinach, feta and fresh basil.

Easy coq au vin recipe in a pan with herbs and a spoon

5 from 1 vote

Coq au vin

Prep time 20

Cooking time 1 30

Total time 1 50

If you're craving something rich, comforting, and full of flavor, coq au vin is the perfect dish. This rustic French stew may sound fancy, but it’s wonderfully simple to make—and deeply satisfying.

Tender chicken, smoky bacon, and mushrooms simmered in red wine come together in a one-pot meal that tastes like it’s been cooking all day. It’s perfect for a chilly evening and even better with some crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Vindaloo pork curry

Vindaloo (Pork Curry)

Prep time 20

Cooking time 2

Total time 2 20

Vindaloo is a delicious spicy curry from Indonesia and is usually made with pork. While traditionally made with pork butt, you can certainly make this with chicken of beef if you prefer. It's ideal for meal prep and gets even better after a day in the fridge!

Old fashioned chicken soup

5 from 2 votes

Old Fashioned Chicken Soup

Prep time 30

Cooking time 2 15

Total time 2 45

This homemade old fashioned chicken soup is made from scratch with a whole chicken, fresh vegetables, and herbs. Slowly simmering the chicken creates a rich, flavorful broth and wonderfully tender meat. A comforting, traditional chicken soup that’s perfect for colder days.

Vegan pumpkin risotto

Pumpkin risotto with sautéed mushrooms

Prep time 25

Cooking time 30

Total time 55

A delicious pumpkin risotto with mixed and sautéed mushrooms, thyme and sage

Beef stew with pumpkin

Beef Stew with Pumpkin and Beer

Prep time 15

Cooking time 4

Total time 4 15

All the flavors of fall are enclosed in this easy beef stew with pumpkin and beer. The beer is totally optional but does add a lovely extra flavor. Most of the alcohol will evaporate but if eating with kids you can leave the beer out and replace with some extra stock.

Hete bliksem recipe - Dutch mash with apple and potatoes

5 from 1 vote

Hete bliksem recipe (hot lightning)

Prep time 10

Cooking time 30

Total time 40

This delicious and easy recipe for Hete Bliksem (Dutch apple and potato mash) brings back fond memories as it was once the very first recipe ever (!!) I made. But while it is an old-fashioned dish, it is still every bit as delicious as before!

Sauerkraut with meatballs

4 from 2 votes

Sauerkraut with Meatballs

Prep time 10

Cooking time 10

Total time 20

This is one of my favorite ways to use sauerkraut. It's super easy to do and the flavor of the sauerkraut doesn't disappear in other flavors. So if you love sauerkraut try to make this simple dish!

Leek casserole with minced meat

5 from 1 vote

Leek Casserole with Ground Meat

Prep time 20

Cooking time 40

Total time 1

This comforting leek casserole with ground meat is an easy, flavorful dinner that requires very little prep. Soft, sautéed leeks add a mild sweetness, while the savory meat sauce and creamy celeriac mash bring it all together. You can make it with mashed potatoes and cheese for a classic version, or go paleo with celery root and chopped nuts. It’s flexible, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals.

Pasta gorgonzola

Pasta gorgonzola with mushrooms

Prep time 10

Cooking time 10

Total time 20

Craving a comforting, flavor-packed dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes? This creamy pasta gorgonzola with mushrooms and walnuts is your perfect weeknight indulgence. The rich, velvety gorgonzola sauce features tender pasta, while earthy mushrooms and crunchy walnuts add depth and texture. It’s a satisfying meal that feels both luxurious and effortless—ideal for when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Green bean casserole

Green Bean Casserole with Chicken

Prep time 20

Cooking time 45

Total time 1 5

Chicken, green beans, and hard-boiled eggs in a fragrant masala sauce, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Serve with warm roti flatbreads and sambal.

Creamy potato soup recipe

Potato Soup Recipe

Prep time 30

Cooking time 30

Total time 1

A rich and creamy potato soup topped with crispy bacon, crunchy roasted potato skins, and vibrant parsley oil. Comfort food with a little something extra!

FAQ Fall Dinners

Good question right? For me it is ingredients like pumpkin (make sure to check the pumpkin roundup as well), hearty stews (make sure to check next week for a delicious venison stew coming up too!) and also dinners that are easy to prepare in advance, get better after a day and are perfect for freezing.

For busy weeknights, choose simple one-pot meals, creamy orzo, quick pasta dishes, or easy casseroles. Recipes like creamy pumpkin orzo with spinach are great options when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

Yes! Many fall dinners are perfect for meal prep. Soups, stews, and casseroles can often be made a day or two in advance and reheated when needed. In fact, some stews taste even better the next day because the flavors have had more time to develop. Always check the individual recipes for storage and reheating instructions.

Fall is a great time to cook with seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and carrots. They’re delicious roasted, added to soups and stews, or incorporated into creamy pasta dishes.

Hi, welcome in Simone's Kitchen

Hi, I'm Simone!
Food photographer, food blogger and veggie enthusiast. I share delicious, mostly healthy recipes (with room for treats!). I love cooking with all kinds of vegetables. From the lesser known - like chayote for instance - to the more common ones. You will find all vegetable recipes you will ever need here.

Real food, big flavors, lots of veggies.
Styling food by day, cooking it by night.

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About Simone van den Berg

Food photographer | Food- and travel blogger | Recipe development | Loves to cook, experiment with vegetables and most of all, loves to eat. Whenever I travel (and I do try to do that as often as possible) it's always about food too! Love exploring flavors around the world. Lives together with cats Humphrey and Buffy in the Netherlands.

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