8 Pantry Meal Recipes for Cosy Fall Nights
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Fall brings crisp air, golden leaves, and a craving for comfort food. But you don't need fresh market hauls to enjoy it. Pantry staples like canned pumpkin, jarred applesauce, and dried cranberries, paired with warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, let you create cozy seasonal dishes without any complicated steps.
These practical, flavorful recipes are perfect for anyone craving fall flavors without the extra work.
Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup
A can of pumpkin puree is the star here. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic with curry powder, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir in the pumpkin puree and a can of coconut milk. Add vegetable broth for the right consistency and simmer for 15 minutes. The result is a silky, spiced soup that tastes like fall in a bowl.
Spiced Applesauce Muffins
Jarred applesauce adds moisture and natural sweetness to quick breads and muffins. Mix it into a batter of flour, sugar, baking powder, and warming spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Bake until golden brown. These muffins pair perfectly with a hot cup of chai or coffee on a cool morning.
Also read: 5 Easy Fall Soups With Less Than 5 Ingredients
Cranberry Lentil Stew
Canned lentils and dried cranberries create a surprising yet hearty combination. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion with cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaf. Stir in canned lentils, vegetable broth, and a handful of dried cranberries. Simmer until the flavours meld. The tartness of cranberries cuts through the earthy lentils, giving this stew a unique fall twist.
Butternut Squash Risotto
If you have a jar of pureed butternut squash, use it as the base for a creamy risotto. Toast arborio rice in olive oil with garlic, then add warm broth one ladle at a time. When the rice is nearly cooked, stir in the squash puree, nutmeg, and a sprinkle of sage. Finish with vegan butter or cheese for richness.
Chai-Spiced Overnight Oats
For an easy breakfast, mix rolled oats with jarred applesauce, almond milk, and chai spices like cardamom, clove, and cinnamon. Let it sit overnight in the fridge. In the morning, top with chopped nuts or dried fruit. It’s a portable, cosy breakfast that keeps fall flavours alive all week.
Incredibly Moist Pumpkin Bread
A triple-loaf recipe that uses several cups of canned pumpkin, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves, and simple pantry staples. It’s called “incredibly moist” for a reason— people rave about its texture and flavour, especially for brunch or snacks.
Seven Spice Chickpea Stew with Tomatoes & Coconut
This vegan, gluten-free stew uses common pantry staples like canned tomatoes, dried chickpeas, and coconut milk, along with a spice blend (cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, etc.). It comes together in ~40 minutes, and you get that creamy, warming comfort.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans
A classic fall dinner side or even main: mashed or roasted sweet potatoes (canned or fresh or frozen could work), seasoned with warming spices, topped with crunchy pecans (and often brown sugar or maple sugar). It has that satisfying, rich, comforting texture — soft inside, crisp on top.
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