As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s time to embrace comforting autumn recipes that are quick yet full of flavour. Think hearty, earthy dishes where seasonal vegetables and simple proteins come together effortlessly.
With the evening light fading earlier, there’s something satisfying about meals that can be prepared in under an hour, without compromising on taste. Roasted root vegetables, infused with aromatic herbs and simple flavours are perfectly matched by quick-cooking grains or pastas, while sauces made from rich stocks or smoky reductions add depth.
A one-pan approach often saves time, leaving you with minimal clean-up and maximum flavour. Autumn’s bounty offers an array of vibrant colours and textures—perfect for creating dinners that are nourishing, warm, and ideal for winding down after a busy day.
Whether a cheat’s wonton soup, a spiced lamb rack or a Brussels sprouts salad with lemon and pecorino, these quick autumn dinner recipes make the most of seasonal produce to deliver comfort quick.
Here are our favourite quick and easy dinner recipes for autumn.
The best quick dinners to cook in autumn 2025
Pasta e ceci
Two staples of Italian cuisine come together in this simple pasta dish.
Chicken broth with ginger, turmeric and lemongrass
A simple, comforting bowl that does wonders for the soul.
Tony Tan’s guide to making sweet and sour pork
It’s sweet and sour but not as we know it. Tony Tan reveals the true brilliance of this much-loved Cantonese classic.
Silverbeet soup with colcannon potato bread
If you’ve got leftover silverbeet or leafy greens, this is the soup for you.
Golden biryani with John Dory and lemon raita
Fragrant and filling, this low fuss meal is perfect for a midweek dinner.
Grilled rump steak with Massaman curry sauce
Quick, easy, warming, and hearty, this recipe for grilled rump steak with Massaman curry is the perfect way to add intrigue to your regular Wednesday steak and chips.
Tacconi with Ligurian olives, pine nuts and oregano
Our recipe for tacconi with Ligurian olives, pine nuts and oregano.
South Indian coconut and chickpea stir-fry
A quick, easy and aromatic chickpea dish to have on rotation.
Spaghetti alla carbonara
The proper way to make this Italian classic.
Fast chilli con carne
Some purists believe there is no room for beans, but we think they add a rich, earthy flavour.
Chana masala
A comfort bowl that’s ready in minutes.
A cheat’s recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli
When it comes to these filled quadrilaterals, it pays to think outside the square.
Ten-minute spaghetti with olives, capers and lemon
All flavour, no filler.
Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter
A one-tray roast with the added boost of flavoured compound butter. You won’t look back.
Chicken scallopini with mushrooms and broccoli rabe
Chicken, mushrooms and greens. This meal is the complete package.
Snapper curry with green beans and coriander
This mild yellow curry is incredibly easy to whip up when you’ve got a good-quality curry powder on hand. Add a generous squeeze of lime to enhance the flavour.
Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce
This light ragù is freshened up further with a herb-packed green sauce.
Veal schnitzel with tuna sauce and herb salad
Time to glam up your weeknight schnitzel.
Cheat’s wonton soup
This wonton soup is an express version of the recipe that cuts time, not flavour.
Veal cotoletta with asparagus and preserved lemon
The lemon and asparagus prevent this dish from feeling too rich and heavy, and if you don’t have veal, chicken breast will work just as well.
Linguine with chilli and rocket
A fool-proof option for tonight’s dinner.
Cauliflower mac and cheese
For this recipe, we’ve added cauliflower to the classic comfort food. (And three different cheeses and crunchy rye breadcrumbs, too.
Spiced lamb rack with coconut saffron pilaf
Fast recipe for spiced lamb rack with coconut saffron pilaf.
Mushroom and mascarpone risotto
This fast mushroom risotto recipe, made rich and creamy with mascarpone, is sure to become a favourite.
Brussels sprouts with walnut dressing, lemon and pecorino
Fast recipe for Brussels sprouts with walnut dressing, lemon and pecorino.
Fideuà with clams
Fideuà is similar to paella (the dishes share a Valencian origin) but made with pasta in place of rice. It’s typically made with short, thin noodles known as fideos, but we’ve used broken-up spaghettini.
Sumac and coriander lamb cutlets with green hummus
This versatile sumac and coriander lamb cutlets with green hummus recipe will work with whatever soft herbs you have on hand – it’s a great way to use up leftover bunches.
Spiced eggs with okra
No okra? No problem. Diced eggplant or even stir-fried cucumber would work well here.
Broccoli soup with Gorgonzola toasts
The creamy soup uses broccoli stalks for the soup base and sauteed florets as a garnish. Add Gorgonzola toasts for dipping and you’ve got a satisfying meal.
Pork with cabbage, apple and mustard
Ready in 20 minutes, these roast pork cutlets are paired with cabbage and apple for a classic and hearty meal.
Beef taco rice
Beef taco rice is an Okinawan specialty that is an example of how fusion is by no means a dirty word.
Quince-glazed pork
This quick pork recipe glazes cutlets in pork for a sweet skin, served with a light celeriac potato mash.
Chicken with spelt and spinach
Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for chicken with spelt and spinach.
Chicken involtini with white polenta
Australian Gourmet Traveller fast Italian recipe for chicken involtini with white polenta.
Drunken chicken with Shandong ramen noodles
Drunken chicken combined with Shandong ramen noodles for a speedy soup recipe.
Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale
Change up your chicken with sweet paprika, chilli and a side cauliflower and kale salad.
Swordfish steaks with honey and citrus kosho dressing
Swordfish is one of the meatiest fish, and these steaks with a light honey dressing will show you why.
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