What to Cook this October

Hello, October! Hello to the seasonal change of cooking warm and hearty foods! October means we’re bringing all things pumpkin, soups, and baking projects! We’ve compiled a delicious list of seasonal recipes for October, and seasonal market finds. So, without further ado, here is your seasonal list of What to Cook in October!

October officially means all things Fall; we’re not talking a split month of summer foods sprinkled in with Fall eats as we do in September; we mean all Fall eats! Fall to us means comforting baked goods, pumpkin and pumpkin spice everything, and warm and hearty soups in stews! October is also a month where we see a bigger shift at your local farmers markets, we’re now seeing more dark leafy greens, root vegetables, apples, pears, pumpkins and more. The shift from fresh berries, melons, and core summer vegetables is taking place.

I hope that you find this round-up of recipes and seasonal market finds helpful and inspirational. Here’s what we’re cooking in October!

Seasonal Market Finds

• Apples
• Pears
• Figs
• Beats
• Dark leafy greens
• Root Vegetables (turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi, etc)
• Greens (spinach, kale, collards)
• Chard
• Herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, etc)
• Leeks
• Pumpkins
• Potatoes + Sweet Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels Sprouts

What to Cook in October

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bake: This one-bowl breakfast bake is dairy-free, gluten-free, and made without any refined sugars. Keep it all about the pumpkin flavor as-is, or add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries for a twist.

Pumpkin Overnight Oats: These Healthy Overnight Oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast for fall! Creamy with just the right amount of pumpkin spice, these oats are unbelievably delicious and packed with fiber to keep you satisfied all morning long! 

Easy Pumpkin Waffles: This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffle Recipe is going to be the star of the breakfast or brunch table! Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and full of pumpkin flavor, these waffles are a cinch to make and always a hit. 

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon: If you are looking for a versatile side dish that works for both a quick weeknight meal or a decadent holiday dinner look no further than this recipe for Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon! Cooking the brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup is sure to make this side dish a fan favorite for everybody!

3-Ingredient Breakfast Skillet: Using just 3 common ingredients you likely have on hand, you can have yourself a unique weekday breakfast that everyone will love! It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free and Whole30 friendly!

Harvest Salad: This Harvest Salad has all the ingredients you’ll want in a Winter kale salad recipe! This healthy Harvest Salad recipe is packed with chopped kale, roasted kabocha squash, colorful pomegranate seeds, and toasted pecans. Tossed with a super delicious (and easy!) maple balsamic dressing, it’s the perfect fall and winter salad. Filling and flavorful, everyone loves this delicious salad.

Pumpkin Spice Latte: This recipe for easy Pumpkin Spice Coffee can be made using your favorite regular coffee or made into a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s refined sugar-free and customizable so you can make it dairy-free if you need to!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread: This perfectly spiced loaf is so moist and made using a nut-free blend of coconut and tapioca flour. It’s also dairy-free and refined-sugar free and the perfect weekend (or weeknight!) baking project.

Apple, Kale, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Salad: This Kale Quinoa Salad is the ultimate Fall salad! Packed with massaged kale, cooked quinoa, diced apples, roasted sweet potatoes, pistachios, and the perfect maple balsamic dressing; it’s an Autumn salad everyone will love!

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip: Everyone is going to love this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip- especially for game day! It’s creamy with just the right hint of spice and so easy to make! With shredded chicken, cheese and even a bit of spinach snuck in here, this dip could almost be served as a main dish for a quick weeknight dinner.

Healthy Hamburger Helper: A classic childhood favorite lightened up. This is a must make this fall for an easy and hearty dinner everyone is going to love. Bonus points, it’s made all in on pan!

Easy Pumpkin Soup: This Easy Pumpkin Soup is a fall lover’s dream come true! It features roasted pumpkin blended with sautéed onion and garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup, then topped with a spicy chili garlic oil. This soup is cozy, sweet, savory, and so simple to make!

Jalapeño Popper Dip: This Jalapeño Popper Dip is the perfect appetizer to serve for Game Day and can conveniently be prepared ahead of time and baked up right before serving! It has all the classic flavor of Jalapeño Poppers without having to individually make them. 

Healthy Turkey Chili: This easy-to-make Healthy Turkey Chili is perfect for a big gathering, football Sunday festivities, or for weekly meal prep option since there are tons of leftovers! With ground turkey, beans and tomatoes, it is hearty comfort food. It’s made easily in the slow cooker or Instant Pot and easily customizable by adding on all your favorite toppings. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free and Paleo friendly.

Creamy Pumpkin Casserole: I know most people think of sweet when they think of pumpkin, but savory pumpkin dishes are so delicious! This hearty fall dinner is packed full of pumpkin flavor, both in the sauce and within the casserole itself. Plus, this one is paleo-friendly and lower-carb thanks to the use of spaghetti squash as the base!

Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry: Using just a few kitchen staples, this Indian-inspired curry is a meal everyone will love. This vegan dish is dairy-free and gluten-free and perfect for when you need a quick dinner solution! It’s flavorful and so comforting.

Sea Salt Chocolate Pumpkin Cups: Homemade Chocolate Pumpkin Cups are the easiest and most delicious DIY halloween candy to make in the fall. Plus these ones are healthy! Made with a handful of wholesome ingredients like pumpkin puree, chocolate and nut butter, these chocolate cups are paleo-friendly and made without any refined sugars.

Instant Pot Apple Sauce: Naturally sweet (with no added sugar), and so delicious, this recipe for Instant Pot Apple Sauce is a must for when you return with arms full of apples from the orchards this fall. Once you make apple sauce in the Instant Pot, you’ll never go back!

Pumpkin Smash Cocktail: This Pumpkin Cocktail has all the best flavors of fall in one delicious cocktail. It’s perfectly spiced, made with vodka and homemade vanilla bean pumpkin syrup, then garnished with candied pumpkin seeds and a cinnamon sugar rim.

---

Pin it for later: