There’s something about the start of fall that makes me want to spend more time in the kitchen. Once the temperatures start dropping, I’m ready for cozy dinners, warm soups and meals that make the whole house smell good. But as much as I love fall comfort food, I don’t want dinner to become another place where I’m overspending.
The good news is that some of the best fall meals are also some of the easiest and most affordable to make. Soups, chili, casseroles, pasta dishes and slow-cooker meals can all turn simple ingredients into something filling and comforting. And because many of these meals make plenty of food, you can stretch dinner into lunch the next day, too.
Start With What You Already Have
Before heading to the grocery store, take a quick look through your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. You might already have the makings of dinner without realizing it.
A can of beans, some broth and a few vegetables can become a hearty soup. Ground beef can turn into chili, tacos or a pasta dish. Potatoes can stretch a meal with chicken or sausage, and leftover vegetables can easily be added to a casserole or soup. Building your meals around what you already have is an easy way to use up food and avoid buying ingredients you don't really need.
Make Meals That Stretch
One of my favorite things about fall cooking is that you don't necessarily need an expensive cut of meat or a long list of ingredients to make a satisfying meal. Ingredients like beans, rice, pasta, potatoes and ground meat can go a long way when they're combined with vegetables, seasonings and a good sauce or broth.
Think about meals like chili, taco soup, chicken and rice, baked pasta, chicken pot pie, beef stew or a simple casserole. These are the kinds of meals that can feed several people and often leave you with leftovers. Budget-friendly recipe collections also tend to rely on these same staples because they can make a full meal without requiring a long list of specialty ingredients.
Embrace the Leftovers
If you're already cooking, why not make enough for another meal? Fall comfort foods are especially good for leftovers, and having lunch ready to go can save you from spending money on takeout during a busy workday.
Soups, chili, casseroles and pasta usually reheat well, and some can even be frozen for another night. I also like the idea of treating leftovers as a starting point rather than eating the exact same meal several days in a row. Leftover chicken can become a sandwich or soup, while leftover taco meat can become nachos, quesadillas or a taco bowl.
Don't Be Afraid of the Slow Cooker
Fall is also the perfect time to let your slow cooker do some of the work for you. A few simple ingredients can simmer throughout the day, and you can come home to dinner that's basically ready to go. Current fall cooking ideas are full of slow-cooker soups, stews and other “dump-and-go” meals designed to make busy weeknights easier.
This can also help with those nights when you're tempted to order takeout simply because you don't feel like cooking. Spending a few minutes in the morning getting dinner started can make a big difference when you're tired and hungry at the end of the day.
Make It Cozy Without Making It Expensive
For me, that's really what fall cooking is all about. You don't need an elaborate meal or expensive ingredients to make dinner feel special. Put a pot of chili on the stove, make a big pan of baked pasta or throw together a simple soup, then add some warm bread and you've got a pretty great fall dinner.
And if you're looking for even more inspiration, this season is full of recipes built around cozy soups, stews and casseroles — many of which are designed to be simple enough for a weeknight.
Fall is one of my favorite times of year to slow down a little, get back into a dinner routine and enjoy some of those classic comfort foods. With a little planning and a grocery list built around ingredients you can use more than once, you can enjoy all the cozy meals you want without letting your grocery budget get out of hand.
