Best autumn recipes: comfort food and seasonal delights

As the weather cools down, it’s time to embrace autumn’s finest produce with these comforting recipes. From indulgent baked goods to warming soups and hearty bowls of goodness, taste the flavours of the season.

Giselle Bueti and Stephanie Sekulovska

Autumn recipes for nourishing, comforting seasonal meals that will do you good.

2 min read

22 hours ago

The Weekend Australian Magazine

As the crisp autumn air settles in, there’s no better way to indulge in the change of season than by preparing hearty, soul-warming meals. It’s the perfect time for slow-cooked favourites, one-pot wonders, and indulgent bakes that invite the rich, earthy flavours of autumn into your home. This season, we celebrate the humble pumpkin, sweet potato, and cauliflower, alongside comforting soups and delicious desserts that bring a touch of nostalgia to the table.

Whether you’re craving a golden pasta bake that’s the ultimate comfort dish or looking for a sweet treat to close out a cosy meal, these recipes are sure to satisfy. Get ready to embrace autumn’s bounty with our most popular recipes of the year. Let’s dig in!

What’s in season this autumn?

As the leaves fall, autumn ushers in a rich harvest of seasonal vegetables that elevate every dish. Here’s a quick guide to what’s in season:

Pumpkin: Rich, versatile, and perfect for both savoury and sweet dishes.
Radish: Adds a touch of peppery crunch to salads and sides.
Sweet potato: Naturally sweet and ideal for roasting or stews.
Cauliflower: A robust vegetable that transforms beautifully in soups or as a roasted side.
Broccoli: A fibre-packed addition to almost any dish, whether raw, steamed, or sauteed.

6 Heartwarming Autumn Recipes to Try

Whole roasted pumpkin

All dressed up this earthy roasted pumpkin, with its nutty skin and sweet, velvety flesh, is ready to take its place as the star of the show.

There’s no mistaking that pumpkin reigns supreme in autumn kitchens. Its sweet, nutty flavour works wonders in soups, pies, and even in a whole roasted dish. Try it in this delicious whole roasted pumpkin recipe, where the pumpkin’s natural sweetness is enhanced with a drizzle of honey and olive oil. A simple yet divine way to bring autumn to your plate.

Get the recipe for Lennox Hastie’s whole roasted pumpkin.

Pumpkin pasta bake

Topped with mozzarella and drizzled with burnt butter, sage and capers, this dish promises to give you all the feels this autumn.

A golden pasta bake that’s the perfect seasonal dish. Topped with mozzarella and drizzled with burnt butter, sage and capers, this dish promises to give you all the feels this autumn.

Get the recipe for Elizabeth Hewson’s pumpkin pasta bake.

Chicken and sweet corn soup

Autumn family food at its finest.

A warm bowl of soup is a quintessential autumn dish. Nothing beats the comfort of a bowl of chicken and sweet corn soup that takes you back to your childhood.

Get the recipe for Sarah Pound’s chickens and sweet corn soup.

Pumpkin and brown sugar cake

Elizabeth Hewson's autumn cake has a surprise twist.

This autumn cake has a surprise twist. The addition of spice enhances that warm, earthy sweetness from the pumpkin, and the brown sugar adds a lovely caramel richness.

Get the recipe for Elizabeth Hewson’s Pumpkin and brown sugar cake.

Chicken Saltimbocca

Traditionally, saltimbocca is made with veal, and as with many classic Italian dishes, it comes with its fair share of debate over its origins.

A delicious chicken dish your Nonna would be proud of. This dish holds a special place for Elizabeth Hewson. It was one of the first dishes she made upon moving to Italy for a year, more than 10 years ago. It quickly became a staple in her kitchen.

Get the recipe for Elizabeth Hewson’s Chicken saltimbocca.

Apple and Marmalade crumble

Warming and seasonal, this is one of Elizabeth Hewson’s favourite desserts.

The secret ingredient that makes this apple crumble is one of Elizabeth Hewson’s best dishes. The apples cook in marmalade, creating an aromatic orange-scented caramel that bubbles up between the buttery crumble.

Get the recipe for Elizabeth Hewson’s apple and marmalade crumble.

Want more seasonal inspiration? Check out these vegetarian dishes for a fresh autumn take or explore our quick and healthy weeknight dinners for busy days when time is tight. Ready to create something delicious? Visit theaustralian.com.au/life/food-drink for more recipes that celebrate autumn’s rich flavours.