Weekly Meal Plan: Comforting Fall Recipes You'll Love

Emily Adochio
Sep 7
3 min read

The week after Labor Day always feels like the true start of fall—the air is cooler, sweaters are coming out, and cozy dinners are officially back on the table. I’m so excited to lean into heartier meals again while still sneaking in some lighter recipes for balance. This week’s lineup has a mix of creamy comfort, quick weeknight wins, and plenty of veggies to keep things fresh.

Here’s what I cooked this week:

🍝 Chicken with Creamy Boursin Fettuccine (Fun Meal)

This was hands down the star of the week. The creamy Boursin sauce is so good I could eat it with a spoon, and paired with grilled chicken, peas, and potatoes, it feels indulgent but still a little balanced. It would be amazing with a glass of white wine, but it’s also totally kid-friendly. Definitely one of those meals that tastes restaurant-worthy but comes together on a weeknight.

⏱️ Total Time: 40 minutes

✨ The sauce is the real MVP—so rich, garlicky, and comforting, but still works as an easy weeknight dinner.

🍗 One-Pan Maple Mustard Chicken and Veggies (Chicken)

This one takes an hour, but almost all of that is hands-off oven time, which makes it perfect for a Sunday night roast. The maple mustard sauce is sweet, tangy, and made from ingredients you probably already have in the fridge. Everything cooks together on one pan, so clean-up is a breeze. It tastes way fancier than the effort it requires.

⏱️ Total Time: 1 hour

🍁 A cozy, fall-ready roast that feels special without the fuss.

🌮 15 Minute Cod Fish Tacos with Black Beans (Seafood)

Talk about fast and satisfying—these tacos are stuffed to the brim with cod, beans, and toppings, so you don’t need a ton of fish to make them filling (bonus: budget-friendly!). I served mine with Mexican rice and beans on the side for extra protein and carbs. You could meal-prep the cod, but honestly, it’s so quick that making it fresh is the way to go.

⏱️ Total Time: 15 minutes

💡 A perfect busy weeknight meal—big flavor, minimal time.

🥬 Spinach Paneer (Vegetarian)

Not exactly authentic, but it’s my more budget- and pantry-friendly version of a classic. It’s packed with spinach, flavored with simplified spices, and bulked up with white beans for extra protein. The result is a cozy, vegetable-loaded dish that’s both hearty and satisfying.

⏱️ Total Time: 50 minutes

🌿 A sneaky way to eat a mountain of spinach while still feeling like you’re indulging.

🥣 High Protein Late Summer Vegetable Soup (Vegetarian)

This soup was exactly what I wanted as the weather cooled down. It’s one pot, quick, and filled with summer vegetables while they’re still in season. I added cottage cheese for creaminess and protein (25g per serving!)—which sounds strange but works so well. You could swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it flexible for any season.

⏱️ Total Time: 30 minutes

💪 Cozy and protein-packed, perfect for chilly evenings.

🥔 Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole (Budget)

This one is comfort food at its finest—gooey cheese, crispy tater tots, and hidden veggies like bell peppers and peas. It’s budget-friendly at just $17.54 for the whole dish ($2.92 per serving), but you can also dress it up with gruyere and a splash of wine instead of broth. Great for kids, great for freezing, and great for a busy weeknight when you need something hearty.

⏱️ Total Time: About 1 hour (mostly baking)

💸 Total cost $17.54 / $2.92 per serving