Food and Recipes Healthy and Light 36 Healthy Fall Recipes That Are Still Comfort Foods By Patricia Shannon Patricia Shannon Patricia has worked as a lifestyle editor for Southern Living since 2013. Her work focuses on cleaning, gardening, decorating, etiquette, and beauty. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 1, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Comfort food doesn't have to leave you reaching for your stretchy pants. Letting the season's best flavors shine can help you turn out easy, healthy fall recipes that you can feel good about serving all autumn long. Our healthy fall dinner recipes feature stunning colors, rich flavors, and rustic preparations that will be just right whether you're looking for healthy fall dinner recipes for the average Wednesday night or are searching for a stunner that'll win over the supper club. We'd be remiss if we didn't include a few creamy, dreamy healthy fall soup recipes in this mix. It turns out, butternut squash and chard are two ways to make unique and flavorful bowlfuls that will be scraped clean in minutes—guaranteed. Here, 36 healthy fall recipes to serve throughout the season. 01 of 36 Coconut-Curry Butternut Squash Soup Southern Living Recipe: Coconut-Curry Butternut Squash Soup Don't let this rich and flavorful soup fool you—it's a healthier choice than you think, relying on coconut milk for added richness. A blend of spices (curry powder, cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon) packs a punch of flavor to really drive the starring squash home. 02 of 36 Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Spice up your regular potato salad. Sweet potatoes bring fall flavor and a fresh spin to busy weeknights. Black beans, jalapenos, and a honey-lime dressing make this a perfect pairing for taco night. 03 of 36 Acorn Squash Soup Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Victor Protasio, Prop Stylist Claire Spollen Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup This Acorn Squash Soup may not be as golden bright as the butternut squash version, but its sweet, nutty taste certainly doesn't pale in comparison. Enhance the flavor even more with hot sauce, fried scallions, toasted hazelnuts, or a dash of cinnamon. 04 of 36 Quick Chicken and Barley Stew Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Quick Chicken and Barley Stew Fill up on this chicken stew that's packed with veggies and whole grains. In 30 minutes, you'll have a meal that pleases the whole family and that's good for them. 05 of 36 Harvest Salad Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Recipe: Harvest Salad All of fall's finest flavors come to the table in one action-packed salad created to satisfy. A zippy citrus dressing pairs with sweet Honeycrisp apple, Lacinato kale, and roasted Brussels sprouts and kabocha squash. Toasted pecans and shaved Parmesan cheese are the crunchy and salty finishing touches that push this one over the edge. 06 of 36 Collard Green Salad with Chicken, Bell Pepper, and Roasted Squash Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Collard Green Salad with Chicken, Bell Pepper, and Roasted Squash Our collard green salad brings an unexpected flavor pairing that is somehow just right. The recipe calls for shredded, store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time on prep, but you can roast two chicken breasts instead, if you prefer. 07 of 36 Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro This self-contained dish makes the ideal main for a cozy night in or an impressive starter for your autumnal dinner party. Make the farro the day before and store in a container in the fridge to save on prep time the day of. 08 of 36 Creamy White Bean-and-Chard Soup Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Creamy White Bean-and-Chard Soup We just can't get over the vibrant hue of this soup—it comes care of three cups of Swiss chard, cooked down in a Dutch oven before being blended in batches. Cannellini beans, rosemary, and garlic bring creamy, fresh flavor to the soup that will keep you coming back for more. 09 of 36 Brussels Sprouts with Sautéed Cabbage Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Sautéed Cabbage A quick sautée and simple seasonings make this healthy side dish easy to pair with any entrée. Purple cabbage adds a pop of color, and Brussels sprouts add crunch. 10 of 36 Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs Here is an entrée that plays to all the tastes of the season. Apples (whatever variety you prefer such as Fuji, Granny Smith, or Gala), shallots, sage, rosemary, and thyme will create one roasted chicken that everyone gathered around your table will be raving about for years. 11 of 36 Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans Greg DuPree Recipe: Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans Brussels sprouts aren't roasted, steamed, or cooked in any way for this salad. Instead, allowing the dressing to sit on the sprouts softens them to perfection. Pecans, diced apples, and Parmesan add crunch and sweetness. 12 of 36 Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping This vibrant side dish is bound for a starring role on your fall dinner table. Don't skip the Spicy Pecan Topping whatever you do. 13 of 36 Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup Greg DuPree Recipe: Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup Nothing says comfort like a warm bowl of soup. Chilly fall evenings call for warm, hearty meals, like this beef soup that uses convenient frozen veggies and lean stew meat. Store-bought pesto packs bright flavor. 14 of 36 Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Apples Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Recipe: Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Apples Feed a crowd with this delightfully comforting simple roast chicken. A side of sweet potatoes and apples cooks with the chicken so you have time to toss a salad to round out the meal. 15 of 36 Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Recipe: Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans Panko breading on only one side is the secret to these crispy pork chops. To simplify a busy weeknight, everything cooks in one pan. 16 of 36 Sweet Potato-Carrot Soup Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee Montiel Recipe: Sweet Potato-Carrot Soup Fall weeknights just got better. This creamy, dreamy soup tastes unbeatable with a mix of perfectly seasoned carrots and sweet potatoes. Give all of your favorite root vegetables time to shine with other variations, like Turnip-Parsnip or Potato-Beet. 17 of 36 Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos Alison Miksch Recipe: Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos These spicy tacos will heat up fall dinnertime. A chile-spiced flank steak cooks alongside a roasted sweet potato mixture. Add some pan drippings to the sour cream for a zesty sauce. 18 of 36 Easy Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Recipe: Easy Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Fire-roasted tomatoes and sweet potatoes are added to this smoky lentil soup with a satisfying outcome. Use turkey bacon or omit it in this recipe for a healthier option. 19 of 36 Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges Alison Miksch Recipe: Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges You won't need takeout with this healthy, flavorful, and easy meal as an option. This recipe does not disappoint. Green beans and asparagus roast alongside salmon coated with a honey-soy-Dijon sauce. Dinner will be ready in just 25 minutes. 20 of 36 Beef Stew Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Beef Stew Give this thick and hearty stew time to simmer. The chuck roast, peas, carrots, and potatoes gently cook in an irresistible gravy. You'll want seconds. 21 of 36 Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Vegetables Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Vegetables Plenty of seasonal flavor is packed into one skillet for this comforting dinner. Use small chicken thighs to get the juiciest, most flavorful result. Sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, along with rosemary and a delectable pan sauce make this dish one to put on repeat. 22 of 36 Vidalia Onion Soup Southern Living Recipe: Vidalia Onion Soup Fall weather calls for a batch of this classic soup. Don't be intimidated by the six onions the recipe calls for—they'll cook down and provide lots of flavor. Be sure to cook the onions long enough to fully caramelize. 23 of 36 Chicken-Mushroom Skillet Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom Skillet The flavor in this skillet dish comes from cremini and oyster mushrooms. Let them brown before adding the white wine and stock. A package of brown-and-wild rice is a healthy side. 24 of 36 Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots This sheet pan dinner plays with unexpected flavors. Cayenne pepper brings the heat and caramelized grapes add sweetness. Serve with healthy couscous to catch every drop of the sauce. 25 of 36 Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Sheet pan hanger steak is the perfect remedy for a weeknight steak craving. Green beans and sweet potatoes make this a cozy all-in-one meal. A zesty compound butter adds a surprising finishing touch. 26 of 36 Baked Pork Tenderloin Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Baked Pork Tenderloin When you need an impressive dinner for company or a weeknight meal that will create plenty of leftovers, this pork tenderloin will satisfy. Simply seasoned pork is paired with shaved vegetables tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. 27 of 36 Turkey Pumpkin Chili Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Turkey Pumpkin Chili Canned pumpkin adds thickness and a healthy boost to this hearty chili. It comes together easily after school or during football watching and will be ready to serve in just 30 minutes. A slice of cornbread on the side is a must. 28 of 36 Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa Hector Sanchez Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa You can't beat this healthy chili that's chock-full of ground turkey, beans, quinoa, and veggies. Control the heat by roasting your peppers and tossing the seeds for a mild version or adding the seeds for some spice. 29 of 36 Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Chicken soup gets a lift with the addition of sweet potatoes, rosemary, and bright lemony flavor. Use a rotisserie chicken for quicker prep time. 30 of 36 Green Chile-Chicken Soup Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Green Chile-Chicken Soup The creaminess and thickness of this soup come from mashing the beans. Green enchilada sauce and poblanos add smokiness and spice. Make this soup in advance, or freeze a batch to have on hand for when you need a warm and filling meal. 31 of 36 Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters Hector Sanchez Recipe: Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters The trick to this slow cooker chicken is to brown the quarters first. You'll be rewarded with a moist, flavorful meal after a long day. Lots of garlic and rosemary make this chicken sing. 32 of 36 Pork Tenderloin with Farro Salad Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Farro Salad Lean pork tenderloin will be your go-to dinner this season. Add a salad of apples and farro to keep things healthy and easy. 33 of 36 Slow-Cooker Chipotle-Tomato Soup Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chipotle-Tomato Soup You'll never go back to the can after making this spiced-up homemade tomato soup. Fresh tomatoes cook low and slow in this slow cooker version. Pair a bowl with Classic Grilled Cheese. 34 of 36 Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup Southern Living Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup There are many versions of this soup, but you can't beat the flavorful heat and convenience this recipe delivers. The broth gets spice from jalapenos, chiles, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Rotisserie chicken, corn, and black beans provide a filling spoonful. Top with tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and queso fresco. 35 of 36 Spicy Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Spicy Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp Spaghetti squash may not be a true substitute for pasta, but it does make a delicious and healthy dinner. Slightly caramelized squash becomes the bed for a spicy marinara. Lightly seasoned shrimp add balance with a touch of sweetness. 36 of 36 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Hector Sanchez Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Comforting chicken and rice gets redone with wild rice and ham-mushroom gravy. The results are worthy of weekend company, a weeknight celebration, or a mid-week boost. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit