Fall is here, and with it comes the season of cozy comfort food! Whether it’s soups, casseroles, or stews, fall meals can warm us from the inside out. To ensure you’re ready to cook these comforting dishes, I’ve put together a helpful checklist to stock up on your fall pantry essentials. With the right ingredients, you’ll be ready to create delicious meals and savor every bite of the season.
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Get ready to stock your pantry with all the essentials you’ll need to whip up delicious soups, casseroles, and more. Below, you’ll find all the must-have ingredients to make fall cooking easy and enjoyable!
Broths and Stocks
Broths and stocks—whether chicken, beef, or vegetable—are key to making flavorful soups and stews. Having a variety in your pantry means you can always add a rich base to your recipes without any last-minute runs to the store.
Recipes Using Stocks And Broth
Easy Crock Pot Beef Roast Recipe
With just a few minutes of prep, you can make this simple slow cooker pot roast recipe with amazing results! Thanks to the crock pot, it's fall-apart, tender, flavorful, and juicy. This is comfort food done right.
Crock Pot Potato Soup
Crock Pot Potato Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with amazing flavors. Topped with bacon, cheese, and chives, this easy-to-make soup tastes like a loaded baked potato spoonful after spoonful!Â
One Pot Mushroom Rice
Fluffy rice, caramelized mushrooms, onions, and garlic combine to make this savory One-Pot Mushroom Rice recipe!Â
Healthy Mushroom Soup
This healthier version of mushroom soup with no dairy added is rich, loaded with meaty Portabella mushrooms, and has a deep flavor that’s amazing.
Crock Pot Beef And Bean Soup
Crock Pot Beef And Bean Soup with creamy white beans, and hearty beef is the perfect winter soup. It’s incredibly easy to make and packed with tons of filling ingredients to keep you fueled through busy winter days and warm on lazy weekends.
Pasta And Noodles
Pasta is a versatile must-have in any fall pantry. From casseroles to soups, I always keep a variety of shapes like spaghetti, rotini, and orzo on hand so that I can create hearty, comforting meals in no time.
Pasta Favorites Everyone Loves
Easy Baked Spaghetti
Out Of This World Baked Spaghetti is a one-pan meal that's always a hit at the supper table or at a covered dish supper. With a creamy, cheesy center, and a meaty sauce, this pasta casserole is comfort food taken to a whole new level!
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that's so easy to make!
Out Of This World Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
Out Of This World Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is a family favorite one-pan meal. Made with tender chicken, tomatoes and green chilies tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, this is pasta casserole taken to a whole new level!
Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)
This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect for a simple family meal or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.
Cowboy Spaghetti
Cowboy Spaghetti is a fun and delicious recipe that combines two classic comfort foods: spaghetti with meat sauce and chili! It's packed with crispy bacon and tossed in a southwestern-style sauce for an irresistible bite, that's perfect for game day, casual entertaining with friends, or a family dinner.
Grains, Beans and Legumes
White rice, brown rice, and beans (both canned and dried) are pantry staples I never skip when shopping at the grocery. I use them in soups, stews, or as a base for casseroles. They’re perfect for stretching meals while keeping them filling and nutritious.
One Pot Mushroom Rice
Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole
Southern Pimento Cheese Grits
Made with quick-cooking grits and rich, gooey pimento cheese, Southern Pimento Cheese Grits are as easy as they are delicious. Whether serving them up for a holiday gathering or a laid-back weekend meal, these creamy grits bring the perfect touch of Southern comfort to your table.
Instant Pot Garlic and Herb Rice
Garlic and Herb Rice is full of amazing flavor and is a terrific side dish that can be served any time of year.
Baking Essentials
Fall and baking go hand in hand! Be sure to stock up on flour, sugar, oil, chocolate chips, and nuts, so you’re always ready to bake those seasonal favorites like muffins, cookies, and pies. The smell of something sweet baking in the oven is a sure way to make your kitchen feel like fall.
Million Dollar Pound Cake
Million Dollar Pound Cake is buttery, soft, has rich flavors of vanilla and almond, and is a dessert that's worthy of its name! This classic recipe not only looks impressive but also tastes amazing and, believe it or not, is very simple to make with just 7 ingredients.
Easy Homemade Granola
This Easy Homemade Granola is perfect for a simple, satisfying breakfast recipe! Packed with wholesome ingredients like certified gluten-free oats, crunchy nuts, and a touch of natural sweetness, this granola is delicious and incredibly nutritious.
Glazed Orange Muffins
Glazed Orange Muffins are a sweet way to brighten your day! Made with fresh orange juice and zest, they're tender and soft with just the right amount of sweetness. These scratch-made muffins are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Grandma’s Apple Crisp
This old-fashioned recipe for Grandma's Apple Crisp is loaded with tender apples and a buttery topping that is crispy and sweet. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a heavenly comfort food dessert.
Zucchini Cheese Quick Bread
Warm, savory Zucchini Cheese Bread is super delicious and so easy to make. This no-yeast, quick bread is loaded with cheddar cheese and tender zucchini with just the right amount of garlic. Slather on some butter or just enjoy it plain. Either way, you'll be smitten with this simple recipe!
Herbs and Spices
The right spices can elevate any dish, especially when it comes to comfort food. Stock your pantry with fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for baking, and savory herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage to season your casseroles and soups.
Homemade House Seasoning Recipe
My Homemade House Seasoning Recipe uses 4 simple ingredients in just the right proportions to bring out the best flavors of your home-cooked dishes!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
If you’re looking for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken thighs without all the fuss of frying, this Air-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe is the one for you! With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll get perfectly crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy chicken, all in under 30 minutes!
DIY Pumpkin Spice Blend
Fluffy rice, caramelized mushrooms, onions, and garlic combine to make this savory One-Pot Mushroom Rice recipe!Â
Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake
This Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake is the easiest fall dessert you'll make! Ready in one bowl with just eight ingredients, it's the perfect cozy treat for pumpkin lovers.
Canned Goods
Canned goods are a lifesaver when you need to get dinner on the table fast. Keep canned tomatoes, beans, vegetables, and even some canned pumpkin or milk on hand—they’re essential for whipping up quick soups, stews, and casseroles.
Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans
Slow-Cooked, sweet and savory baked beans with brown sugar and bacon is a side dish recipe that's pure perfection! For any cookout, barbecue, or summer party, these Easy Crock Pot Baked beans will be a hit.
Southern Caviar – Black Eyed Pea Appetizer
Made with black-eyed peas, corn, and a zesty dressing, Southern Caviar (or Black Eyed Pea Appetizer) is quick and super easy to make! This spicy and crunchy recipe is a versatile Southern staple that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or on top of grilled seafood or chicken.
Bloody Mary Chili Recipe
If you're a Bloody Mary fan, then you're going to LOVE this chili! With all the bold flavors of that popular drink, it's a hearty bowl of goodness that's loaded with beef, beans, and warm spicy flavors.
Slow Cooker Ham & White Bean Soup
Tender, white beans, ham, and veggies, cooked in a rich broth with herbs make a soup that's hearty and satisfying. It's a great, no-stress meal on its own, especially when the slow cooker does all the work for you! This is how to stretch your food budget without sacrificing taste!
Black Bean Corn Salsa Recipe
This colorful and fresh Black Bean And Corn Salsa is creamy, and crunchy with a subtle spicy kick! Made with 6 simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes, this salsa makes a great appetizer on its own, but don't stop there. Serve it as a side dish, or pile it on tacos, salads, eggs, or just about anything!
As you stock your pantry with these essentials, don’t forget to sprinkle in a few treats and special ingredients that make fall extra fun. Maybe a jar of apple butter for quick breakfasts, some caramel sauce for drizzling over desserts, or a few cans of pumpkin puree for those spontaneous weekend baking projects. Little touches like these can make an ordinary day memorable and make you feel like a fall kitchen pro.
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