The fall season is perfect for bringing family and friends together over delicious food. Here are 10 fall feast ideas to inspire your next gathering.
A harvest-themed meal featuring seasonal produce is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve dishes like butternut squash soup, brussels sprouts with bacon, cranberry salad, and apple crisp for dessert. Don’t forget a cheese board with cheddar, gouda and seasonal fruit like pears and grapes.
For Thanksgiving, go beyond the traditional turkey dinner. Roast a couple of chickens or Cornish game hens instead, along with classic sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. Or do a taco bar with turkey, ham, beef and veggie fillings and lots of toppings so everyone can make their perfect taco.
Hearty stews, soups and pot pies are comforting fall fare. Make a pot of beef and barley stew, chicken noodle soup or shepherd’s pie. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread to soak up the juices. For dessert, warm apple or pumpkin pie is always a good choice.
Nothing says fall like the aroma of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Have friends over for a casual evening of baking fall-themed treats like pumpkin bread, apple cider donuts, spiced nuts and gingerbread cookies. Put on a pot of mulled cider or wine to complete the experience.
For a casual movie night in, do a pizza and movie marathon with classic fall films like “When Harry Met Sally,” “Dead Poets Society” or “Good Will Hunting.” Make individual pizzas or one big sheet pan pizza with pumpkin, squash, sage and fontina cheese.
A chili cook-off is a fun, interactive way to bring people together. Have guests make a pot of their favorite chili like beef, turkey, vegetarian or white chicken and vote on the winner. Serve the chilis with cornbread, tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese and scallions.
For an autumn-inspired brunch, make pancakes or waffles with pumpkin, zucchini, banana and spice. Fry up some maple sausage or bacon and scramble eggs. Round it out with mimosas, coffee and orange juice.
Take inspiration from Oktoberfest and do a German-themed fall feast. Serve bratwurst, sauerkraut, warm pretzels, potato pancakes and red cabbage. For dessert, try apfelstrudel, German chocolate cake or black forest cake. Pour mugs of hearty German beer to complete the theme.
For a cozy fall cocktail party, serve warming drinks like hot toddies, spiced cider, mulled wine and pumpkin martinis along with small bites like squash and goat cheese tartlets, wild mushroom crostini, candied bacon and pumpkin macarons.
A fall harvest meal featuring foods from local farms is a great way to support small businesses in your community. Check out nearby farms for produce, meats, cheeses, jams and more. Build a meal around whatever is in season and fresh. Your guests will appreciate knowing exactly where their food came from.