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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Cheap Easy Fall Meals for Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 14, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 26 fall meals are budget-friendly and simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy families. With hearty ingredients and comforting flavors, these dishes will keep everyone satisfied as the weather cools down. From soups to casseroles, there's something for every palate.

    Greek Lemon Rice Soup

    Greek Lemon Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Earth to Veg.

    Kotosoupa Avgolemono is a comforting Greek soup that’s similar to chicken noodle soup. It’s made thick with rice or orzo and has a refreshing touch of lemon and dill. This dish is ideal for chilly days when you want something warm and filling.

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    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole is a simple and satisfying dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It features flaky, golden biscuits smothered in rich, savory gravy, making it a cozy meal perfect for fall. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also brings a warm, comforting feel to the table.

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    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    15 Bean Soup in a crock pot is a simple and comforting meal that you can just set and forget. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is perfect for a busy day when you want something warm and filling without putting in a lot of work. It's an easy way to enjoy a hearty dish that the whole family will love.

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    Vegetable Stew

    Vegetable Stew.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This one pot vegetable stew is a great option for a simple dinner that the whole family will enjoy. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare and is packed with hearty root vegetables and lentils, making it a filling vegetarian meal.

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    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup

    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow-cooker cauliflower soup is a creamy and delicious dish that's simple to prepare. It's a great option for chilly days when you want something comforting, but it also works well when the weather is warm. This soup is dairy-free, making it a nice choice for those who prefer lighter meals.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's a dish that the whole family will enjoy and is sure to become a regular on your dinner table.

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    Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Spinach

    Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Spinach.
    Photo Credit: Mediterranean Latin Love Affair.

    Baked Ziti is a comforting casserole that combines a hearty ground beef and vegetable sauce with plenty of cheese. The addition of a ricotta and cottage cheese mixture gives it a creamy texture and rich flavor. This dish is perfect for family dinners, especially during the fall when everyone is looking for something warm and filling.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef or lamb, all topped with plenty of cheese. This recipe skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, which keeps it light and healthy. It's a straightforward dish that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick chicken stew can be made using rotisserie chicken, bringing in bright flavors of lemon and rosemary. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy fall meal. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick option for dinner. It's simple to prepare and doesn't use any flour, relying instead on plenty of cream for a rich flavor. Perfect for a cozy fall meal, this soup is sure to warm you up.

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    Chicken Pasta Bake

    Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Chicken Pasta Bake is a cozy dish that combines cheesy tomato sauce with simple ingredients. It's a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken and whip up a meal that the whole family will love.

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    Sour Cream Noodle Bake

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Serenity.

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a warm and comforting casserole that brings a sense of home to the table. It features layers of creamy egg noodles, a hearty beef sauce, and gooey cheese that all come together beautifully. This dish is perfect for family dinners, offering a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for a cozy meal. Perfect for chilly fall evenings, this recipe is simple to prepare and satisfying for all ages.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a hearty meal. Perfect for a potluck or a simple weeknight dinner, this is a great option for busy families.

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    Slow Cooker Potato Soup

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Slow cooker potato soup is a fantastic dish that really shows how useful a slow cooker can be. It’s creamy and satisfying, and you don’t have to put in much effort to make it. This soup is ideal for busy days when you have a lot going on.

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    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup

    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Bake with Jamie.

    Chicken wild rice soup is a comforting dish that’s simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the crockpot and let it cook. The wild rice comes from Minnesota, and the soup is filled with familiar flavors like onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Serve it with some crusty bread for a cozy meal that’s perfect for fall.

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    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup

    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    Crockpot ham and beans soup is a great way to use up leftover ham from any holiday or special occasion. It's a filling and tasty dish that warms you up on those chilly days. This meal is sure to please the whole family and is easy to prepare.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all made with simple items you probably already have in your pantry. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe cuts down on cooking time while still delivering a satisfying meal for the whole family.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for cozy fall evenings. With its cheesy goodness, it brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. It's a great option for families looking for a tasty meal that doesn't require a lot of work.

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    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    No-Boil Lasagna is a quick and simple dish that you can prepare in just 10 minutes. There's no need to boil the noodles beforehand, which saves you time and effort. This meal is perfect for busy fall evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup

    A bowl of chicken dumpling soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken dumpling soup is a cozy dish that warms you up on chilly days. This simple recipe takes just about 40 minutes to prepare, using rotisserie chicken and store-bought biscuit dough to save time. It features all the classic flavors you love, along with tasty vegetables in a creamy, herby broth.

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    Olive Garden Copycat Minestrone Soup

    Minestrone Soup (Copycat Olive Garden).
    Photo Credit: Belly Rules the Mind.

    This minestrone soup is a homemade version of the popular Olive Garden dish. It's warm, hearty, and packed with vegetables, making it a great choice for a cozy meal. With just an Instant Pot or a large pot, you can whip this up easily, perfect for busy fall evenings.

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    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken barley pulao.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This is a twist on a classic Indian dish – Chicken Pulao. Following the same principles of making a pulao, this one-pot meal uses barley, providing a few added health benefits, as well as a delicious twist on the more traditional pulao recipe.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Camp Stew

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and flavor to any meal. This dish features tender chicken, a variety of tasty vegetables, and a touch of smokiness that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends, making it a great choice for those cozy fall nights.

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    Roasted Chestnut and Mushroom Soup

    Roasted Chestnut and Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Tasty Chili.

    This hearty roasted chestnut and mushroom soup is perfect for the cooler months. It's a warm and comforting dish that brings the flavors of fall right to your table. With its rich taste and satisfying texture, this soup is a great choice for family dinners during autumn and winter.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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