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Photo: Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
Though the end of the summer can be bittersweet, fall has a lot to offer. I especially love it when the weather cools down, and comforting foods like soups, casseroles and cheesy pastas are back on my regular menu. Each of the recipes on this list is not only delicious but also boasts at least15 grams of proteinper serving for a filling main dish.So bring in the best of the new season with nourishing dishes packed with warming spices and seasonal ingredients like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. Flavor-packed recipes like our Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili are ones that I make on repeat this time of year, and I hope you do, too. For more budget- and beginner-friendly recipes and cooking tips, check outThrifty.
Though the end of the summer can be bittersweet, fall has a lot to offer. I especially love it when the weather cools down, and comforting foods like soups, casseroles and cheesy pastas are back on my regular menu. Each of the recipes on this list is not only delicious but also boasts at least15 grams of proteinper serving for a filling main dish.
So bring in the best of the new season with nourishing dishes packed with warming spices and seasonal ingredients like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. Flavor-packed recipes like our Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili are ones that I make on repeat this time of year, and I hope you do, too. For more budget- and beginner-friendly recipes and cooking tips, check outThrifty.
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30-Minute Mini Meatloaves with Whipped Cauliflower & Green Beans
View Recipe
Ali Redmond
02of 17Everyone’s Favorite Taco SoupView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali RameeThis easy-to-make taco soup features enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, which provides a mild heat. Top this family-friendly soup with all of your favorite taco garnishes.
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Everyone’s Favorite Taco Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
This easy-to-make taco soup features enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, which provides a mild heat. Top this family-friendly soup with all of your favorite taco garnishes.
03of 17Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower RiceView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThis shrimp gets its kick from Cajun seasoning—a zesty blend of paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Refrigerated cauliflower rice helps cut down on prep time, but if you can spare a few extra minutes, it’s easy to make your own. Pulse 1 pound fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until chopped into rice-size pieces.
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Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This shrimp gets its kick from Cajun seasoning—a zesty blend of paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Refrigerated cauliflower rice helps cut down on prep time, but if you can spare a few extra minutes, it’s easy to make your own. Pulse 1 pound fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until chopped into rice-size pieces.
04of 17Cheesy Black Bean & Quinoa Skillet CasseroleView RecipeRachel MarekThis Southwestern-inspired one-skillet casserole is stuffed with quinoa and plenty of fresh vegetables. Sharp Cheddar cheese flavors the filling and adds a layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese on top.
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Cheesy Black Bean & Quinoa Skillet Casserole
Rachel Marek
This Southwestern-inspired one-skillet casserole is stuffed with quinoa and plenty of fresh vegetables. Sharp Cheddar cheese flavors the filling and adds a layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese on top.
05of 17Noodle-Less Butternut Squash LasagnaView RecipeSlices of butternut squash stand in for noodles in this veggie-packed lasagna with spinach, mushrooms and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. You can make the Parmesan cheese sauce with regular flour or swap in gluten-free flour to make this dish gluten-free. Look for a squash with a long, straight neck for the best results. Serve with a green salad for a vegetarian meal that you’d be happy to serve to company.
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Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna
Slices of butternut squash stand in for noodles in this veggie-packed lasagna with spinach, mushrooms and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. You can make the Parmesan cheese sauce with regular flour or swap in gluten-free flour to make this dish gluten-free. Look for a squash with a long, straight neck for the best results. Serve with a green salad for a vegetarian meal that you’d be happy to serve to company.
06of 17Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo CasseroleView RecipeStacy k. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana KelleyThis lemony salmon and orzo casserole is a one-dish dinner that’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids—a polyunsaturated fat in salmon that can help tame inflammation and may even help lower blood pressure. Here, omega-3-rich salmon sits on top of an orzo mixture that bakes in the oven, instead of boiling on the stovetop, absorbing all the bright and lemony flavors while it cooks.
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Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo Casserole
Stacy k. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley
This lemony salmon and orzo casserole is a one-dish dinner that’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids—a polyunsaturated fat in salmon that can help tame inflammation and may even help lower blood pressure. Here, omega-3-rich salmon sits on top of an orzo mixture that bakes in the oven, instead of boiling on the stovetop, absorbing all the bright and lemony flavors while it cooks.
07of 17This 30-Minute Steak Taco Salad Contains 26 Grams of ProteinView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia BaylessThis gluten-free take on a taco salad uses seared flank steak in place of ground beef. Instead of a fried tortilla shell, crisp romaine lettuce forms the sturdy base for each salad. Queso fresco is a firm, mild cheese—a great alternative to feta if you’re not a fan of the tang. Keep the tortilla chips whole for scooping, or lightly crush them and sprinkle on top of the bowl.
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This 30-Minute Steak Taco Salad Contains 26 Grams of Protein
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This gluten-free take on a taco salad uses seared flank steak in place of ground beef. Instead of a fried tortilla shell, crisp romaine lettuce forms the sturdy base for each salad. Queso fresco is a firm, mild cheese—a great alternative to feta if you’re not a fan of the tang. Keep the tortilla chips whole for scooping, or lightly crush them and sprinkle on top of the bowl.
08of 17Mushroom Orzo with Lemon & ParmesanView RecipePhotographer / Fred Hardy, Food Stylist / Ruth BlackburnThis mushroom orzo with lemon and Parmesan is a creamy dish rich with flavor thanks to mushrooms and a velvety smooth sauce. Enjoy this cozy pasta dish with a glass of wine.
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Mushroom Orzo with Lemon & Parmesan
Photographer / Fred Hardy, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
This mushroom orzo with lemon and Parmesan is a creamy dish rich with flavor thanks to mushrooms and a velvety smooth sauce. Enjoy this cozy pasta dish with a glass of wine.
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Butternut Squash Soup with Avocado & Chickpeas
10of 17Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken ChiliView RecipeAli RedmondIf you like Buffalo wings, you’ll love the flavors in this warm, hearty chili that comes together easily in the slow cooker. Sour cream helps cut the heat, but you could also use plain strained yogurt.
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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
If you like Buffalo wings, you’ll love the flavors in this warm, hearty chili that comes together easily in the slow cooker. Sour cream helps cut the heat, but you could also use plain strained yogurt.
11of 17Cheesy Meatball CasseroleView RecipeJen CauseyThis cheesy meatball casserole is a family favorite, with basil adding flavor to the meatballs and grated onion adding moisture. Melted mozzarella cheese tames the spice, but feel free to cut back or eliminate the crushed red pepper if you prefer a milder dish.
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Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Jen Causey
This cheesy meatball casserole is a family favorite, with basil adding flavor to the meatballs and grated onion adding moisture. Melted mozzarella cheese tames the spice, but feel free to cut back or eliminate the crushed red pepper if you prefer a milder dish.
12of 17Balsamic Steak & Mushroom SkewersView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterSweet balsamic vinegar packs a punch in these balsamic steak and mushroom skewers. Top sirloin is tender and less expensive compared to other cuts of meat, but for a little more flavor, strip steak is a good alternative. If you have leftovers, use them up in salad or tuck them into pita bread with hummus for a delicious lunch the next day.
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Balsamic Steak & Mushroom Skewers
Sweet balsamic vinegar packs a punch in these balsamic steak and mushroom skewers. Top sirloin is tender and less expensive compared to other cuts of meat, but for a little more flavor, strip steak is a good alternative. If you have leftovers, use them up in salad or tuck them into pita bread with hummus for a delicious lunch the next day.
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Arugula & Cucumber Salad with Tuna
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Crispy Chicken Thighs with Artichokes, Lemon & Herbs
Catherine McCurd
15of 17Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels SproutsView RecipeTaking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta dish then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you’d rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.
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Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts
Taking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta dish then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you’d rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.
16of 17Parmesan Chicken & Brussels SproutsView RecipeJacob FoxParmesan and breadcrumbs combine for a crispy chicken topping without having to go through the full dredging process. While your oven’s on, roast some potatoes to serve alongside for a balanced, filling meal.
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Parmesan Chicken & Brussels Sprouts
Jacob Fox
Parmesan and breadcrumbs combine for a crispy chicken topping without having to go through the full dredging process. While your oven’s on, roast some potatoes to serve alongside for a balanced, filling meal.
17of 17Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels SproutsView RecipeCaitlin BenselTender chicken breast is bathed in a lemony marinade that brings a bright pop of flavor to this one-dish meal. The vegetables get crispy edges and, along with the juicy chicken, make this a winning combo.
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Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
Caitlin Bensel
Tender chicken breast is bathed in a lemony marinade that brings a bright pop of flavor to this one-dish meal. The vegetables get crispy edges and, along with the juicy chicken, make this a winning combo.
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