Weekly Menu Plan For October 6th

Enjoy 35 fall-inspired recipes with hearty mains, fresh salads, soups, breads, and sweet treats to make weeknight dinners easy.

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October has a way of drawing us back into the kitchen. The days may still hold a hint of summer, but evenings are cool enough to make a warm meal especially welcome. This is the time of year when I start thinking about Sunday suppers, comfort food, and recipes that fill the house with a wonderful aroma while they cook.

Instead of fussing, I like to keep meals simple but satisfying. A good roast, chicken with lots of flavor, or a beautiful salad with seasonal ingredients can make an ordinary weeknight feel special. And of course, there is always room for a sweet treat or two.

So come join me in the kitchen. Here’s what’s On The Menu this week…

I always loved the idea of butternut squash soup, but not so much the reality… until I tried this recipe. And then I gave it my own little tweak. Instead of bacon, I now use half a tube of Bob Evan’s sage sausage. I brown it right in the Dutch oven before adding the apples and chicken broth, and it gives the soup such a wonderful depth of flavor.

So if you have only ever liked the thought of butternut squash soup, give my version a try. I think you just might fall in love with it.

And if you are feeling a little adventurous, go ahead and add the bacon back in as a garnish or some pumpkin seeds. What a treat!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Butter Topped Beer Bread

Sliced Apples and Pears

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This is such a glorious company-worthy dish to eat on a weeknight! And to make this a little more WW-friendly, I’ll use half and half instead of heavy cream. I’ll be using just 2 2TBS of sauce over my portion of salmon, even though I could literally drink the sauce!

I can’t wait to make this main dish recipe from Christina at Eat Well 101!

Pears are in season now, and they are not only healthy and scrumptious, but they also work in many savory dishes! Roasting pears, like in the recipe, brings out their sweetness! YUM! Did you know that pears are a member of the rose family?

Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon

Roasted Pears with Balsamic Vinegar and Honey over a bed of Arugula

Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

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Queso Chicken is one of my favorite go-to recipes for chicken. It keeps the chicken moist and full of all those delicious Tex-Mex flavors I love. Every bite is so satisfying. I think it will be especially good served over Mexican street corn. I am still finding local sweet corn at Meck’s, my favorite farm market. If you can’t find fresh corn where you are, use frozen.

And because homemade is always better, I’m making flour tortillas to accompany it. Soft, warm tortillas are perfect for scooping up all that cheesy, flavorful goodness.

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I really enjoy the site Julia’s Album because the recipes never disappoint. Whenever I make one, it turns out so flavorful and reliable, which is exactly what I love in a recipe. I happened to have some frozen shrimp in the freezer and was looking for a shrimp and pasta dish when I came across this one. It was just what I had in mind.

The combination of shrimp and pasta is always a winner, and this recipe looks especially delicious with its rich sauce and simple ingredients. It is the kind of meal that feels special enough for company but is easy enough to pull together on a weeknight. Thank you, Julia, for another keeper.

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I am really hungry for Tex-Mex. Here’s another recipe with this tasty flavor profile!

Wouldn’t you love to make dinner in 20 minutes? Well, this Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup only takes 20 minutes to prepare! And what a great dish for an evening in with Bobby watching a movie or playing Scrabble!

Thank you, Ashley from Wishes And Dishes! I’m serving this with a delicious doctor-the-box cornbread recipe.

20 Minute Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Sweet Cream Corn Cornbread

Our family has always loved homemade pizza. It is just so much better than the kind delivered to your door or pulled from a box in the freezer. The crust turns out crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and full of that yeasty fresh-baked flavor. And the toppings are endless, which makes it fun to get creative.

Homemade pizza dough does take a little planning, but the flavor is worth every bit of effort. You can mix it up the night before and let it rise slowly, or keep a batch in the freezer for those evenings when you need dinner in a hurry. Once you try making your own dough, you will never want to go back.

This week, we are keeping it simple and delicious with a mushroom marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a topping of peppery arugula salad. It is fresh, flavorful, and makes pizza night feel like such a treat. Just thinking about it makes me hungry already.

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I am making one of my very favorite holiday recipes today. We are having family over for dinner, and this brisket has been a beloved Christmas tradition in our home for decades. And no, we are not celebrating Christmas just yet.

What makes this recipe so special is that it is a true make-ahead dinner. The flavors get even better as it rests, and it is such a relief to have the main course ready to go when guests arrive. Best of all, everyone at the table absolutely loves it.

Why not give it a try now? You will see how simple and delicious it is, and I have a feeling this Holiday Beef Brisket just might end up on your Christmas table too.

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If you make one thing on the menu this week, the Pumpkin Coffee Cake should be it. It is so moist and spice-forward! My family loves it!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Pumpkin Glaze

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Get 5 of our family’s favorite fall desserts I make all season long.

Doesn’t Creamy Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta sound amazing?

Fall is the perfect time to make my favorite Loaded Potato Soup!

Here’s another beautiful fall pasta recipe… Pumpkin Baked Zita With Sage Sausage.

Fall Quinoa Spinach Salad is the perfect side dish!

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Oatmeal is one of my favorite things to eat in the morning. It’s an oldie but goodie recipe.

These Roast Pumpkin, Sage, Feta, and Cauliflower Tartlets look beautiful!

Creamy and comforting, roasted parsnip and pear blender soup is perfect for chilly nights.

Pumpkin spice coffee creamer turns any ordinary brew into a cozy, seasonal treat.

For a lighter dessert, try baked pears with walnuts. They are simple, elegant, and satisfying.

French onion chicken brings bold, savory flavor to the table with minimal effort.

Rich and buttery, southern pecan bars with a shortbread crust are hard to resist.

Roasted garlic parmesan cauliflower makes a savory, cheesy side dish that pairs well with almost anything.

The smell of rosemary and sea salt rustic bread baking is as good as the taste.

Serve creamy Dijon garlic potatoes dauphinoise for an elegant and indulgent side dish.

Apple Cider Glazed Chicken will make an easy weeknight meal!

This Raw Apple Cake is one of our all-time favorites for fall.

Ready to try Pumpkin Hummus?

I hope this week’s menu inspires you to cook with what’s in season and enjoy the simple goodness of early fall!

More Recipes To Enjoy

Fall Soup Recipes- Warm up your autumn days with these 7 delicious and comforting fall soup recipes that are perfect for cozy meals at home.

Favorite Fall Recipes – Enjoy the best of fall cooking with favorite seasonal recipes that are full of comfort and flavor, perfect to enjoy all season long.

Easy Dinner Recipe Roundup– Get 45 quick and delicious recipes in our easy dinners roundup. From one-pan wonders to 30-minute meals, simplify your cooking while savoring mouthwatering flavors.

Happy cooking, friends…