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Looking to refresh your menu as the cooler months return? This list has breakfasts, lunches and dinners, all like a hug in a bowl and fit for enjoying in slippers and a blanket. Browse the list of 15 Cozy Recipes to Make This Fall!
Note from Danielle
This summer has been warm and dry. I haven’t made soup in months. And I can’t even remember the last time I dunked some crusty bread in something saucy. I say it’s time to start thinking about cozy comfort food!
To help me fully embrace the incoming cooler months, I got myself a little something – a monthly subscription to The Cozy Post Club (a happy new mail service created by my friend Bree!). Real, actual mail, with a friendly note, recipe, art print, and a poem.
Any of recipes on this list would be perfect to accompany some cozy mail by the fire or curled up on the couch with a blanket. Cozy is a feeling, and I want to help you achieve it this fall!
In this post, you’ll find:
- what makes a recipe cozy
- common kitchen tools I use to make cozy recipes
- tips for reheating most cozy recipes
- the most comfy cozy recipes on Project Meal Plan
What makes a recipe cozy?
Cozy is a feeling. A feeling of comfort, ease, warmth, and happiness. This can be achieved in many ways, but one of my favorite is through food.
A cozy recipe is one that gives you comfort, warmth (via temperature or flavors), and just makes you feel good all around. A cozy recipe might come in a giant pot or Dutch oven. It’s usually saucy or soupy (but like, in a good way).
And generally, cozy recipes don’t require much assembly once they’re cooked. They usually get served one bowl, so you can take the meal over to the couch easily. Cozy recipes are almost always easy to share – grab another bowl and serve it to everyone.
Related: Is it cold out? Browse all of my fall recipes & winter recipes.
Common equipment & tools for cozy recipes:
Here are the things I use around my kitchen to make the coziest of recipes:
- high heat spatula – For most cooking at my stove, I use either a wooden utensil, or one of these Rubbermaid High Heat Spatula Scraper (affiliate link!) utensils. They last forever and won’t start to melt like a plastic utensil would.
- Dutch oven – I recommend everyone have a Dutch oven for cooking cozy recipes, including braised meats, stews, and soups. They’re deep, sturdy, and retain heat well. Plus, they can go into the oven. This Lodge 6 qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven (affiliate link!) is a great option! Don’t forget, it makes great bread too!
- Instant Pot – Pressure cookers are another way to get cozy meals in a more hands-off fashion. It’s also great for tougher cuts of meat like pot roast, pork shoulder, or ribs. I have a 6 quart size like this Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt (affiliate link!).
- Souper Cubes – Cozy recipes usually make a big batch. And you’re gonna want to save some of that! The easiest way to do it is to put your leftovers into these 2-Cup Souper Cubes Trays (affiliate link!), freeze, and then enjoy that cozy meal anytime in the future.
Best ways to reheat cozy food:
Most of these cozy recipes will need to be reheated. Caution – not all reheating methods were created equally! Here are the options, from my least favorite to my most favorite way to reheat foods!
- microwave – Nearly any food can be microwaved to reheat, however some hold up better than others. My best tip: add some moisture to the dish so it doesn’t dry out in the microwave, especially rice! Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of water over the rice if contained separately from the curry to help create steam. Loosely cover the meal with the lid and microwave on High for 90 seconds, stirring and then continuing to heat in 30 second increments until it’s hot and steamy all the way through.
- stovetop or oven – Since I don’t have a microwave at home anymore, what I do if I want something quick(-ish) is use the stovetop or oven, depending on the dish. For soups and saucy dishes, I use a medium sized pot and reheat over medium. For more details, read How to Reheat Food Without a Microwave.
- HotLogic mini oven (affiliate link!) – This little invention is a game changer. It might take longer than any other method on here, but all you do is set it and forget it. I swear, this thing evenly heats up a refrigerated meal in about 90 minutes, with NO hot spots. You can leave until you’re ready to eat. Read my full HotLogic review here.
Now that we’ve got the cozy basics down, you’ve got to check out my full list of our 15 Cozy Recipes to Try This Fall!
15 Cozy Recipes to Try This Fall
When I think of cozy recipes, chicken soup is the first thing that comes to mind. This one is loaded with the classic veggies, but also has some white beans for fiber. Add some saltines or crusty bread for the ultimate cozy fall meal.
Hot steamy oatmeal is definitely something I crave in the colder months. This one especially so when apples are in season. Sautéed honeycrisp apples make this a sweet cinnamon breakfast you won't be able to resist.
Could this list even be considered cozy if it didn't have a casserole? This one is our most popular by far. It uses rotisserie chicken for convenience, plus steamed veggies and a creamy Greek yogurt based sauce. Top with cheese (obviously) and a crispy ingredient of choice for a delightful and wholesome meal.
Fall pie flavors turned into breakfast are just irresistible to me. The dates give it that caramelly sweet taste that make it hard to believe this is okay to eat for breakfast. If you're a pecan pie lover, this one is for you! Best enjoyed in slippers by the fire.
French onion soup is not something I make often because let's face it, there's just a lot of work involved for something that leaves me hungry when I'm finished. This version includes all of the same flavors, but adds chicken breasts. So you've got an incredible and filling meal that tastes like a bowl of warm soup 🥘
Another way to get cozy in the fall? Quick and easy one pot dinners with tons of flavor that don't keep you in the kitchen all evening, like this Italian Sausage Pasta. It takes just 30 minutes so you can get back to cuddling by the fire. Or whatever your favorite cozy activities are!
For those of us that require pumpkin spice to the bloodstream as soon as the first leaf turns yellow, start with these muffins. Great for breakfasts or snacks and easy to freeze if you don't want to eat all 12 at once. I use Kodiak Cakes, but almost any pancake mix will work.
If you prefer to do your cooking in the Instant Pot, this Ginger Chicken & Rice Soup is what you're looking for. It's full of veggies, aromatics like ginger and garlic, brown rice, and shredded chicken. Check all the comments for reader reviews and various ways to customize.
When I was a kid, those mini chicken pot pies were a real treat. My favorite part was the crust soaked in the thickened chicken sauce. This homemade version uses biscuit pieces on top for the ultimate cozy crust. We want biscuits on the top and dumpling texture on the bottom. This recipe screams fall to me!
For a veggie based comfort food meal, you've got to try this hug in a bowl. The turmeric rice combined with the zucchini chickpea curry feels like you brought the restuarant right into your kitchen. Make it for dinner or for meal prep - either way, it's going to be the coziest thing you've eaten all week!
These highly rated pancake mix biscuits hit the spot for so many readers, just check the comments! Cheesy and buttery with fresh cracker black pepper, these biscuits go with just about any soup or classic main dish like roast chicken or pot roast. They reheat really well, and I won't tell if you just have one by itself for a warm snack!
A lot of people have stuffed peppers on their comfort food list, and this version is even easier to make than the original. It's loaded with the classic flavors and packed with veggies like zucchini, onion, tomatoes, and bell peppers, but it doesn't really feel like it. Top with your favorite mozzarella cheese, let it get melty, and go to town.
When the apple pie craving strikes but you don't want to make an entire pie, look no further than this recipe. Using one can of Crescent Rolls, one apple, some sugar and spice, you've got steamy delicious apple rolls that taste as cozy as pie.
Another one pot meal that's perfect for fall weeknight meals. This rich, easy-to-make vegetarian dish is top tier comfort food status that’s packed with flavor. When I make it, I feel like there's an Italian restaurant pop-up in my kitchen. Make it for your loved ones and it'll definitely impress. Even better, serve with crusty garlic bread!
When I think cozy, I think potatoes. While I could probably never pick a favorite way to enjoy them, these Twice Baked Potatoes are definitely near the top of the list. Cheesy, creamy and savory - enjoy these air fryer delights on their own or with your favorite dinner protein.
If you’re looking for even more fall recipes, I suggest browsing this list of our Favorite Fall Recipes For Your Next Meal Plan. If you’re an air fryer lover, check out my list of 12 Fabulous Air Fryer Recipes For Fall.
What does comfort food mean to you? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for more comfy cozy recipes to try 🙂
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