10 Cozy Autumn Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

1. Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin ravioli was a favorite dish in my house growing up. We were teenagers the first time my sister and I made this dish. My mom had to go salt-free due to a heart condition and was always on the search for low-salt-friendly dishes. Whether you are low-salt or not, pumpkin ravioli is the perfect dish for your family this autumn.

Although many people are tired of pumpkin and think pumpkin-flavored dishes are "overrated," pumpkin ravioli never ceases to amaze me. One wouldn't think pumpkin would mix well with ravioli, but somehow, it seems to be better than regular ravioli. Give it a try this year and see what your family thinks. It just might become the next favorite dish for dinner.

Check out this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. 

2. Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

Most of the time, when we think about unique homemade breads, we think of sourdough or zucchini. While these breads are delicious, autumn is the perfect time to try a new take on the classic pumpkin bread. Rather than having a basic, plain pumpkin bread, try adding in a half cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to add a sweeter take on this recipe.

Whether you are a skilled baker or just a beginner, this recipe is relatively easy. The key trick to remember is to allow it to cool, or it could burn you or your kids. Outside of this cautionary advice, it is an overall easy and simple recipe. Since this is a versatile recipe, feel free to add your own unique additions to this recipe. For instance, if you don't like chocolate chips, add in white chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans.

Check out this recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch.

3. Braided Cheddar Bread

Compared to other recipes listed here, this one will take longer to make, rise, and bake, but it is well worth it. My sister and I tried our hand at making homemade bread many years ago with a bread maker. While we were never successful in the texture of the bread, it was still a tasty treat. Therefore, even if your braided cheddar braid doesn't look exactly as it does in the picture, it doesn't mean you have failed.

As my mom used to say, "It is more important that it tastes good rather than looks good." This is true, even though some dishes can look extremely unappetizing. However, even if the braid doesn't turn out as well as you hoped, it will still be a delight for your family. With time, if you continue to make this recipe, you will perfect the braid. Practice makes perfect.

Check out this recipe from My Own Sweet Thyme.

4. Warm Italian Tortellini Soup

Soup is the perfect dish for autumntime. Now that the immense summer heat is over, it is time for warm dishes. Personally, soup hits differently in the fall and makes you feel comfy, cozy, and safe. Whether you want to try this specific recipe of warm Italian tortellini soup or another type, it is a great season to try your hand at homemade soups. While store-bought soups can still be great, there is nothing like a homemade soup.

Even if making homemade soup might seem a bit intimidating, give it a chance. It is not as difficult as it looks. It has to simmer, but it is not overly complicated. Enlist the help of your children or spouse as you make this dish, and it can make the entire experience more memorable. Once you try this recipe, you'll be ready to try any and all soup recipes in the future.

Check out this recipe from Taste of Home.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Fudio

5. Make Your Own Apple Cider

To wash down our delicious recipes, it is important to have a tasty drink. Many people only associate hot chocolate with the colder weather; however, there is another great drink to have during the autumn season: apple cider. You can buy apple cider, but trying to make it on your own is more fun. It will be fresher and more nutritious if you make it from scratch.

Ask your family to help you, as kids love to get their hands a bit dirty. Using real, fresh apples will give the apple cider a more pronounced apple taste rather than just a hint. Even if apple cider isn't your favorite warm drink, you could always opt to make a pitcher of apple juice after trying your hand at apple cider. Choose what is best for you and what your family will enjoy.

Check out this recipe from Sally's Baking Recipes.

6. Oven Skillet Pecans

My mom used to make oven skillet pecans in the autumn months. I was hesitant to try them at first since I'm not a huge fan of pecans. However, after trying this recipe, I wasn't too afraid of having future dishes that contained pecans. While it is not advisable to do this recipe if you have a nut allergy, it is worth trying if you do not have one. If you do have a nut allergy or someone in your family does, try a different recipe on this list or try to find a new one you could try online.

This recipe can be a bit more dangerous than other recipes since it involves the skillet; therefore, try to make it on your own or with your spouse. Children don't need to help since they could get burned. Make this recipe with your spouse, and then the entire family can enjoy it. For safety measures, ensure your children stay out of arm's length for this recipe.

Check out this recipe from Taste of the South.

7. Grilled Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

We normally think of nourishing, warm recipes whenever we think of fall. The perfect dish that meets this criteria is grilled chicken with sweet potatoes. Grilled chicken is a family favorite of most households because it's hard not to love chicken. While it can be hard to perfect grilled chicken, it can be done. Adding a bit of lemon to the chicken can bring much more flavor out and keep the chicken moist.

As for the sweet potatoes, a great idea is to add your own favorite toppings after you cook the sweet potatoes. Depending on your family's preference, you can either keep the sweet potatoes intact or smash them. Add in pecans, walnuts, or cinnamon sugar to make this recipe especially sweet. If you opt for a more savory dish, try adding butter or a butter alternative instead of the brown sugar.

For the grilled chicken, check out this recipe from Kristine's Kitchen.

For the sweet potatoes, check out this recipe from Salt and Baker.

8. Yam Soufflé

A dish my mom adored during the fall months was her famous yam soufflé. Sadly, it took me a decade to realize that sweet potatoes and yams are the same. Nonetheless, yam soufflé is a delicious recipe that will leave your family full and happy. While some people serve this as a side dish, it can also function as a dessert. Depending on the way you make this recipe will decide how long it will take to complete this recipe; however, even if you make this recipe from scratch, it will not take too long.

My mom used to make this recipe for Thanksgiving, which consisted of one can of yams, a bag of marshmallows, maple syrup, pecans, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice. All of these ingredients together really made the house smell like fall. My mom would smash the yams until they were puréed, mix in the pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, pecans, and cup of maple syrup, and then top the sweet potato mixture with marshmallows. After microwaving for five minutes, it was ready to be enjoyed!

If you would rather make a yam soufflé from scratch, try this recipe from Food. 

9. Loaded Baked Potatoes

If sweet potatoes are not your thing, maybe trying some loaded baked potatoes will be right up your alley. While I grew up vegetarian and still am a vegetarian, I don't normally put bacon into my baked potatoes. However, it is completely up to you, and you can top your loaded baked potatoes with whatever you enjoy. Bacon, chicken, beans, or cheese are all great ideas.

Whether you are a vegetarian or not, this recipe can be versatile. The main ingredient you will need is fresh potatoes, which you can purchase from the grocery store. Washing them can take a bit of time, but after you season them, all you will have to do is let them bake. During this time, you can talk with your family and discuss what topics you might want to add. If you wanted to make it more fun, you could set out various toppings, and each family member could add what they would like on their own loaded baked potato.

Check out this recipe from Delish.

10. Pumpkin Pie

Last, but certainly not least, is the family favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Who doesn't think of pumpkin pie when they think of autumn? While most people choose to purchase a premade pumpkin pie, what might it look like this year to make your own? My sister made her first-ever pumpkin pie a few years ago, and it was much fresher and flavorful than store-bought pies. Store-bought pies are still great, but there is something special about a homemade pumpkin pie.

Ask your family to help you with this recipe and to get their hands dirty in the prep. It can be a great opportunity to bond with your children and help them learn about cooking. The main goal is to make cooking fun and enjoyable. Far too many people think that cooking isn't fun, but it actually can be great fun if someone teaches us how fun it can be. A great place to teach children that cooking is fun and nutritious is right at home.

Check out this recipe from Allrecipes.