Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (2024)

Goodbye summer, hello fall!

By Camille Lowder
Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (1)

It’s hard to pick favorites, but if we had to… September is definitely one of the best months of the year. It helps us say a leisurely goodbye to summer (there’s still some nights warm enough for grilling!), while also inviting in some of the best of the season to come (hi hello, pumpkin spice everything). Join us as we marry the last of summer with fall vibes, ingredients (apples! butternut squash!), and cooking methods (mm, casseroles). We’ve got 40 recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this September—one for every day of the month, and then some.

We’ve included a good mix of entirely new recipes, like our sushi bake, our copycat Steak ‘N Shake Frisco melt, or our , as well as some old classics, like our white chicken chili, our homemade falafel, and our perfect pot roast. Don’t want to say goodbye to summer just yet (or live somewhere where it’s grilling season year-round)? Make our Caprese chicken pasta salad, our butterflied grilled chicken drumsticks, or our to keep the good times going. Alternatively, have you been waiting for fall since May (relatable)? Our pumpkin sage gnocchi, our creamy apple bourbon chicken skillet, or our chili cheese sweet potato casserole are full of all the cozy vibes and flavors you’ve been craving.

We’re also taking inspiration from everything going on in September, like Labor Day, back to school, and the beginning of tailgate season. We’re all for experimenting, but we know that some school nights, you just need a dinner that works. We’ve tested and reworked our , our butter chicken, our pepper steak, and our broccoli cheddar soup to guarantee they’ll be dinner winners you can make again and again this fall.

Whether you’ll be cooking out of the back of your car in a parking lot or staying in your living room to “home-gate” this fall, check out our brown sugar BBQ chicken, our pull-apart cheeseburger sliders, our Big Mac quesadillas, or our chicken tamale pie to keep you feeling a little summery, while still getting you (and hopefully your team!) fired up for fall.

Pepper Steak

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (3)

Broccoli haters—if your favorite steak stir-fry is always ruined by the inclusion of those little trees (sorry, ), then let us introduce you to your new favorite stir-fry.

Get the Pepper Steak recipe.

One-Pot Pepperoncini Chicken & Rice

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (4)

Love our , but craving a little more flavor? In this rendition, deglazing your pan with the pickling liquid from pepperoncini gives creamy rice a zappy hit that leans more sweet than spicy.

Get the .

Creamy Apple Bourbon Chicken Skillet

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (5)

Went apple picking, and now have a glut of fall's best fruit? Make this skillet dinner! The smoky and warm bourbon, zingy mustard, sharp cheddar, and heavy cream allow the apples and chicken to really pop off.

Get the Creamy Apple Bourbon Chicken Skillet recipe.

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Stuffed Banana Peppers

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (6)

Love stuffed peppers, but want to switch things up? Try swapping bell peppers for sweet and mild banana peppers! Hot tip: Look for the straightest ones you can, so they're easier to stuff.

Get the Stuffed Banana Peppers recipe.

Brown Stew Chicken

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (7)

Brown stew chicken might seem like a snooze of a name for a recipe, but don’t be fooled—Jamaica’s signature marvel of a dish offers a galaxy of flavors that explains its massive fan base on the island and among the country’s expats.

Get the Brown Stew Chicken recipe.

Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (8)

Say goodbye to summer in style with this light and satisfying dinner featuring garlicky sautéed shrimp and rice, and a star of a sauce made with some of our favorite sunny, bright flavors: sweet bell peppers, nutty white miso, and earthy turmeric.

Get the .

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Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (9)

We all love good grilling recipes, especially grilled chicken, but as the weather turns to fall, we can't BBQ as often as we like. Luckily, this BBQ chicken is just as wonderful baked in your oven—it's the perfect dinner, no matter the weather!

Get the Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken recipe.

Butternut Squash Curry

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (10)

This curry is a one-pot meal with ALL the carbs, vegetables, and creaminess you crave come September. Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything together in a creamy sauce. Yum!

Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.

Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (11)

With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this easy vegetarian weeknight dinner is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty, perfect for the start of fall.

Get the Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

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Farro Salad

With pecans, Parm, green apples, and leafy arugula, this salad really feels like a full meal—AKA a fall make-ahead dream. It's got ALL the elements you need: sweet, salty, soft, crunchy, fatty, fresh, but feel free to make it your own with your preferred mix-ins too.

Get the Farro Salad recipe.

Mac & Cheese

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In our book, the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe has to be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. This one nails all three and is perfect for any occasion this fall, from family weeknight dinners to holiday spreads.

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Ratatouille Casserole

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (14)

Ratatouille, a classic end of summer dish from the South of France that features our favorite late-season produce, takes on a new form in this beautiful spiraled casserole. Instead of cooking it on the stovetop, enjoy it right out of the oven (or bake it ahead of time to let the flavors mingle even more overnight in the fridge).

Get the Ratatouille Casserole recipe.

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White Chicken Chili

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (15)

Adding white beans makes this heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, and the addition of green chiles, jalapeño, and sour cream add the perfect amount of heat and creaminess to switch up classic chili. Plus, everything comes together in less than an hour!

Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.

Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (16)

Everyone loves little mini cheeseburgers, but have you ever made them? Flipping a dozen (or more) little patties is maddening. Enter: this brilliant little hack. Instead of forming each individual slider, we go pull-apart style. These are great for a weeknight tailgate all September long.

Get the Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.

Chicken Tamale Pie

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (17)

Our simple, flavor-packed cornbread provides the perfect base for the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese in this recipe. If you're looking for the coziest weeknight dinner this September, this has gotta be next on your list.

Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe.

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Vegan Meatloaf

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (18)

This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting meal this September.

Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.

Deep Dish Pizza

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (19)

Back-to-school pizza nights call for something special, and this deep dish version is jut the thing. Put all your favorites under the pizza sauce and dress it up however you like—pepperoni, mushrooms, olives? The sky's the limit.

Get the Deep Dish Pizza recipe.

Copycat Steak 'N Shake Frisco Melt

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (20)

If the Steak 'n Shake classic sandwich—featuring two smash burgers, caramelized onions, and lots of melty cheese—is a staple for you, then our copycat recipe is about to become your new favorite lunch star this September.

Get the Copycat Steak 'N Shake Frisco Melt recipe.

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Pizza Pot Pie

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (21)

Pizza + pot pie?! Honestly, we're surprised we didn't think of this sooner. It's truly the genius mash-up of your dreams.

Get the Pizza Pot Pie recipe.

Sauerbraten

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (22)

This classic German dish is ideal for chilly nights, with rump roast slow-cooked in a warming combination of cider vinegar, cloves, peppercorns, bay leaves, and, believe it or not, crushed gingersnap cookies.

Get the Sauerbraten recipe.

Our Favorite September Weeknight Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What food is popular in September? ›

10 unmissable foods in season in September
  • Grapes. ...
  • Prickly pears. ...
  • Pears. ...
  • Elderberries. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Cornelian cherries. ...
  • Dates. ...
  • Mushrooms.
Aug 31, 2017

What else besides Taco Tuesday? ›

Let this meal bring you together.
  • Other theme ideas: Salad Sunday, Spicy Sunday, Slow-Cooker Sunday.
  • Other theme ideas: Tex-Mex Monday, Meatloaf Monday, Meatball Monday.
  • Other theme ideas: Try-It Tuesday, Tater Tot Tuesday, Tofu Tuesday.
  • Other theme ideas: One-Pot Wednesday, Wacky Wednesday, Wild Rice Wednesday.

What food is in season in September? ›

The September produce guide features apples and pears, concord grapes, figs, kale, okra, plums, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes, and winter squash.

What is typical autumn food? ›

I have apples, winter squash, pumpkin, cinnamon, candy, pies, chiles, cheese, caramel, chocolate, brussels sprouts, figs, pomegranates, a roast, pastas galore, chips, dips and breakfasts… basically my 75 favorite fall foods. If you are one of those lucky ones still sweating your butt off, congratulations!

What meat is best in fall? ›

The Best Meats For Warming Autumn Dishes
  • Whole Duck. Duck is extremely nutritious, rich in flavour and is a great take on the traditional roast dinner. ...
  • Beef Mince. There is nothing like cooking a delicious and comforting food in these colder, darker nights. ...
  • Beef Sirloin Joint. ...
  • Chicken Breast. ...
  • Pork Loin. ...
  • Pheasant Brace.
Sep 1, 2022

What is the most popular night to eat out? ›

The most popular dinner times out are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays — Sundays especially for families with children. What night of the week do perhaps the least number of people eat out in a restaurant? I'd say Tuesday or Wednesday, based on what I've seen. Depends entirely on the location.

What sounds good tonight for dinner? ›

40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight
  • Chicken Pot Pie Pasta. ...
  • 30 Minute General Tso's Chicken. ...
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti. ...
  • Honey Sesame Chicken. ...
  • Chicken Chow Mein. ...
  • Chicken Katsu. ...
  • Air Fryer Chimichangas. ...
  • Baked Firecracker Chicken.
Sep 19, 2022

What foods go with days of the week? ›

  • Monday, Salad day of the week.
  • Tuesday, Herb Rice day of the week.
  • Wednesday, Pasta day of the week.
  • Thursday, Grill day of the week.
  • Friday, Sandwich day of the week.
  • Saturday, 'Fried stuff with cheese' day of the week.
  • Sunday, The Dessert day of the week.
Aug 11, 2020

What food represents Wednesday? ›

Wednesday – Spaghetti

Then local to Boston's North End, PRINCE brand pasta ran advertisem*nts featuring the slogan, "Wednesday is PRINCE spaghetti day." And for many, it was. Try it at home with this recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs.

What food goes with each day of the week? ›

Check it out!
  • Monday. Mashed Potatoes Monday. Mashed Potatoes Monday. ...
  • Tuesday. Tomato Soup Tuesday. Tomato Soup Tuesday. ...
  • Wednesday. Watermelon Wednesday. Watermelon Wednesday. ...
  • Thursday. Tangerine Thursday. Tangerine Thursday. ...
  • Friday. Fruit Friday. Fruit Friday. ...
  • Saturday. Sandwich Saturday. Sandwich Saturday. ...
  • Sunday. Sausage Sunday.
Feb 25, 2020

What is September best known for? ›

September is often associated with fall activities, apple picking, and back-to-school season, but it's also a month full of meaningful holidays and observances that make for a packed calendar.

What month is September known for? ›

There are several awareness months celebrated in September — though the five that often get the most attention include Hispanic Heritage Month, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Library Card Sign-up Month, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and World Alzheimer's Disease Month.

What season is September known for? ›

September in the Northern Hemisphere and March in the Southern Hemisphere are seasonally equivalent. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the meteorological autumn is on 1 September. In the Southern hemisphere, the beginning of the meteorological spring is on 1 September.

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