On The Menu Week Of October 13th

Need a little help planning dinner this week? I’ve put together 7 delicious menus and 36 tried-and-true recipes to make mealtime easy and enjoyable. You’ll find main dishes, sides, soups, salads, breads, and desserts along with helpful tips to make every meal feel special.

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Oh, how I love the fall! The air is finally turning crisp here, and that little chill has me reaching for my favorite cozy sweaters and pulling out my favorite recipes. This is the season when my kitchen truly comes to life.

There’s just something about fall that makes me want to cook comforting meals that fill our home with the most delicious aromas. Slow-simmered soups, hearty stews, bubbling casseroles, and of course, all things pumpkin spice. It’s the kind of cooking that warms you from the inside out and makes every meal feel like a little celebration of the season.

This week is no exception. I’ve planned a full week of seasonal favorites that are simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. Here’s what’s On the Menu for the week of October 13th…

The weather has taken a decidedly colder turn here at StoneGable, and I’m fully leaning into all things warm and cozy. When the temperatures drop, there’s nothing more comforting than a big pot of homemade soup bubbling away on the stove, filling the kitchen with savory goodness.

To make things easier, I prepped the meatballs ahead of time so this meal will come together quickly, perfect for a hectic Monday when you still want something hearty and satisfying on the table.

Rigatoni Meatball Soup is a family favorite around here. It’s simple to make, full of flavor, and just right for these chilly fall days.

Rigatoni Meatball Soup

No Knead Homemade Artisan Bread

Italian Chopped Salad

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I was instantly intrigued by the idea of getting crispy, fall-off-the-bone chicken straight from the slow cooker, so of course I had to try it. What a fascinating and delicious-looking recipe from Sabrina at Dinner Then Dessert. I can’t wait to see how it turns out and share the results with you!

To make it even better, I’m adding a layer of carrots and celery to the bottom of the slow cooker and placing the chicken right on top. I just love the way vegetables soak up all that savory flavor when they cook this way.

Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

Nani’s Sauteed Rice

Carrots

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This week’s “not-chicken-or-beef” recipe is a cozy classic: smothered pork chops, made with real ingredients and big on flavor. This beautiful dish from The Real Food Dietitians is everything I love in a weeknight dinner—simple, hearty, and nourishing.

I’m also trying something new with the pork itself. So much of what’s available in stores these days feels bland and lacking in flavor, likely from years of breeding out the natural fat. I’m on the hunt for locally sourced pork with rich, real flavor, the kind that brings back memories of Sunday dinners.

This recipe is just the thing to let those quality ingredients shine. I can’t wait to try it and taste the difference!

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Salmon cakes are a nostalgic favorite from my childhood, and I’ve been making them for decades.

But these are not the salmon cakes I grew up on. I’ve added layers of fresh flavor and given them a modern twist by cooking them in the Air Fryer. They turn out perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside—absolutely delicious!

No Air Fryer? No problem. You can easily bake or pan-fry them instead.

And don’t skip the homemade tartar sauce. It’s quick to make and so full of flavor, you’ll never want the store-bought kind again!

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Friday dinners are usually easy and fun around here, the perfect way to wind down after a busy week. Bobby and I love spending Friday nights together watching a good movie or getting a little competitive with a rousing game of Scrabble or Bananagrams. It’s become one of our favorite weekly traditions.

For dinner, I like to keep things simple but still delicious. I’ve made these baked tacos from The Cookie Rookie before, and they’re always a hit. They’re crispy, cheesy, and so satisfying, plus they come together quickly, which leaves more time for relaxing and enjoying the evening.

This week, I think I’ll make them with seasoned ground beef, tucked into crunchy shells and baked to perfection. A fun, easy dinner that sets the tone for a cozy night in!

Baked Tacos with Fixins

Homemade Slow Cooker Refried Beans

I just love the site Julia’s Album. It’s one of those special places I turn to again and again for recipes that are full of flavor and always turn out beautifully. Julia has such a gift for creating dishes that feel both elegant and approachable, and I’ve never made one I didn’t enjoy.

This week, I was looking for a cozy pasta recipe that would use up some frozen shrimp I had on hand, and wouldn’t you know, Julia had just the thing. One look at this creamy shrimp and pasta dish and I was completely hooked. It looks rich and comforting, with the perfect balance of flavors for a delicious weeknight meal or even a special weekend dinner.

Thank you, Julia, for sharing your talents and always inspiring me in the kitchen. I cannot wait to try this!

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There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, homemade chicken pot pie, and Ann from On Sutton Place has created a version that’s as easy as it is delicious. These individual pot pies are topped with golden, flaky puff pastry and filled with a creamy, flavorful chicken and veggie filling that feels like a hug in a bowl.

It’s the perfect cozy dinner for a chilly evening, and the puff pastry makes them feel just a little extra special without any fuss. I can’t wait to try this comforting classic from Ann’s kitchen!

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If you’re looking for an easy and elegant dessert that’s full of flavor, this Beautiful Bacardi Rum Cake is a must-try. It starts with a simple cake mix, but the end result is anything but ordinary. Moist, rich, and finished with a buttery rum glaze that soaks into every bite, it’s a true showstopper.

Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or just because, this is one of those tried-and-true recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

Bacardi Rum Cake

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Hearty ham and bean soup is warm, filling, and perfect for leftover ham.

Puff wrapped apples with caramel make a cozy, crowd-pleasing fall dessert.

Soft and chewy, brown sugar pecan cookies are full of rich, nutty flavor.

Maple Dijon sausage and fall vegetable sheet pan is a complete, no-fuss meal.

Creamy pumpkin gnocchi is rich, velvety, and ready in minutes.

A fall harvest pasta salad brings together roasted veggies, pasta, and seasonal flavor.

Granny’s apple scalloped potatoes are cheesy, creamy, and irresistibly comforting.

Deluxe cornbread stuffing takes your holiday table to the next level.

Brown butter mushroom pasta is simple, earthy, and deeply satisfying.

Roasted pumpkin quiche with caramelized onions, gorgonzola, and sage is bold and savory.

Toss together a harvest salad with cherry vinaigrette for a sweet and tangy side.

No-knead pumpkin harvest bread is rustic, soft, and full of seasonal warmth.

Sausage-stuffed acorn squash is hearty, flavorful, and makes a beautiful fall main.

Start your morning right with a crescent baked breakfast ring that is flaky and savory.

French chicken à la Normandy is creamy, comforting, and full of apples and onions.

Baked brie with caramelized onions is rich, melty, and perfect for entertaining.

Pasta bake with pumpkin tomato sauce is cozy, cheesy, and fall-inspired.

An autumn salad with pears and gorgonzola balances sweet, crisp, and creamy flavors.

Glazed pecan shortbread cookies are buttery, crisp, and perfect for gifting.

Everything bagel pumpkin-shaped cheeseball is festive, fun, and full of flavor.

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…