Not sure What to Cook in September? I’ve got you covered! From cozy soups and hearty pastas to quick salads and a few fall-inspired treats!

Harvest Salad in a white bowl with a fork perfect for what to make in September

September Produce

Fruits

  • Apples
  • Figs
  • Grapes
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Pumpkin

Veggies

  • Bell Peppers
  • Beets
  • Broccoli & Cauliflower
  • Carrots
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Green Beans
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Leafy Greens (Kale, Chard, Spinach)
  • Squash & Zucchini
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Tomatoes

Breakfast

Start the day off right with a cozy, satisfying meal perfect for the cooler weather! Think warm bowls of oats topped with apples or pears and quick breads made with zucchini or pumpkin that are easy to make-ahead for those busy mornings.

A baking sheet filled with homemade granola, featuring oats, seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. A metal spatula is scooping some of the healthy pumpkin pecan granola.
Pumpkin Pecan Granola
Pumpkin Pecan Granola loaded with dried cranberries, pecans and pumpkin seeds. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack. So much better than store-bought!
5 from 1 vote
Pumpkin Pecan Granola
A slice of baked oatmeal topped with syrup on a white plate, served next to thinly sliced apples—perfect inspiration if you’re wondering what to cook in September.
Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal
Loaded with all of your favorite fall flavors, this healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal is a wholesome morning treat! Meal prep it for easy breakfasts throughout the week, or feed the whole family for brunch, it's perfect for making ahead to serve a crowd!
5 from 7 votes
Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal Recipe
A muffin tin with seven freshly baked Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins; one muffin is partly removed and topped with a square of butter.
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins. Loaded with shredded carrots, walnuts and coconut oil. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack!
5 from 8 votes
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
A bowl of oatmeal topped with cinnamon-dusted apple chunks, with a spoon resting inside the bowl—comfort food that’s as inviting as discovering a new Salsa Verde recipe.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal made with old-fashioned oats, fresh apples, and maple syrup, this is the perfect Fall breakfast!
4.84 from 12 votes
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
A loaf of Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread is partially sliced on a white cutting board, with chocolate chips on top and a serrated knife beside it. Perfect for those wondering how to make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread, this delicious treat showcases the perfect blend of chocolatey sweetness and moist zucchini in every slice.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. Super moist, soft and loaded with chocolate chips! A great way to use up zucchini from your garden!
4.87 from 45 votes
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread

Lunch

Whether you’re packing school lunches or need something quick to eat between work meetings, September lunches are easy to make fresh and filling using seasonal ingredients! Easy recipes like warm soups, hearty salads and fresh grain bowls make lunchtime both simple and satisfying.

A bowl with quinoa, sliced grilled chicken, chopped tomato, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbles, and a dollop of creamy white sauce—these Greek Chicken Bowls are artfully arranged in sections for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Greek Chicken Bowls
Greek Chicken Bowls are a wholesome and savory meal, featuring juicy Greek chicken, crisp vegetables, olives, feta cheese and a drizzle of tangy tzatziki sauce! These bowls are great to prep ahead of time for an easy lunch or dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Greek Chicken Bowls
A salad with kale, air fryer sweet potatoes, apple slices, pomegranate seeds, blue cheese crumbles, and chopped pecans, served with a fork.
Harvest Salad
This Harvest Salad recipe is a vibrant and nutritious salad featuring crisp greens, roasted vegetables, and autumn fruits including apples and pomegranates. Delicious enough to feed a crowd and beautiful enough to serve as a showstopper on the table!
5 from 1 vote
Harvest Salad Recipe
A hand dips a grilled cheese sandwich into a bowl of homemade tomato soup. Another bowl with croutons is in the background.
Tomato Soup With Cheesy Croutons
Creamy homemade tomato soup recipe with whole wheat cheese and herb breadcrumbs. Topped with fresh basil. Ready in under 35 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
The Best Homemade Tomato Soup
Round zucchini slices topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese, and mini pepperoni are arranged on a white plate, creating delicious Zucchini Pizza Bites that closely resemble mini pizzas.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini Pizza Bites are a delicious and low-carb snack, featuring zucchini slices topped with tomato sauce, gooey cheese and mini pepperoni! They are baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a flavorful and healthy option for all the pizza lovers out there!
5 from 2 votes
Zucchini Pizza Bites
A bowl with white rice, grilled chicken pieces, corn salsa with tomatoes and herbs, and a generous dollop of creamy Avocado Crema.
Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls
Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls are the best blend of sweet and smoky flavors! Tender chicken is glazed with honey chipotle marinade that perfectly complements the fluffy rice with creamy avocado crema and crisp corn salsa!
5 from 2 votes
Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls

Sides

September has some of the best seasonal produce for side dishes! Veggies like corn, green beans, or carrots are the perfect way to round out any fall dinner spread.

A white bowl filled with Garlic Green Beans, perfectly cooked and seasoned with minced garlic and cracked black pepper.
Garlic Green Beans
This is my go to recipe for the BEST Garlic Green Beans! Ready in minutes and loaded with tons of garlic flavor! These sautéed green beans come out perfectly tender and crisp. Perfect any time: weeknight or holidays!
5 from 1 vote
Garlic Green Bean Recipe
roasted cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower
This roasted cauliflower is tossed with garlic and Parmesan cheese, and then baked until golden brown — making it the perfect side dish!
5 from 2 votes
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
A white bowl filled with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, topped with two pats of butter, and a spoon resting inside the bowl.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Learn how to make the BEST soft and fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes! These sweet potatoes are made with butter and cream to make them super rich! I've included two fun variations below to serve these potatoes: A sweet option and a savory option!
5 from 4 votes
Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Creamy corn casserole made with rich creamed corn, topped with crispy bacon bits and chopped chives, being scooped with a wooden spoon.
Creamed Corn Recipe
Skip the can and make delicious, flavorful creamed corn at home with a few pantry staples. Trust me, you'll never go back to the pre-made stuff after you try this recipe! It's perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
4.50 from 2 votes
Creamed Corn Recipe
A white bowl filled with Crispy Ranch Smashed Carrots—roasted carrot sticks coated with herbs and spices, showing a crispy, golden-brown texture.
Crispy Ranch Smashed Carrots
Crispy Ranch Smashed Carrots combine the natural sweetness of carrots with the savory zing of ranch, creating a satisfying addition to any meal! The carrots are boiled until tender, then gently smashed and coated with a flavorful ranch seasoning and parmesan before being roasted to crispy perfection!
3.50 from 2 votes
Crispy Ranch Smashed Carrots

Dinner

As evenings are gradually getting cooler, it’s the perfect time to make meals that take advantage of the last flavors of summer, but that are also hearty and comforting. Recipes like cozy soups and flavorful pastas are easy to make for that transition from summer to fall.

A bowl of Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup with beans, diced carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, pasta, and herbs, topped with grated cheese. A spoon rests in the bowl.
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup is a healthy, hearty Italian soup that is packed full of your favorite vegetables, greens, and a variety of beans.
5 from 1 vote
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells are filled with creamy ricotta and tender spinach, topped with fresh basil, and served over a hearty, chunky tomato meat sauce in a white baking dish.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells. Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with three types of cheeses and topped with pasta sauce!
4.85 from 33 votes
Spinach Stuffed Shells Recipe
A ladle lifts hearty tomato spinach tortellini soup, filled with tomatoes, spinach, and broth, from a red pot. The soup is chunky with vegetables and pasta, and the pot handle is visible.
Tortellini Tomato and Spinach Soup
Super Easy 30 Minute Tortellini Tomato and Spinach Soup. Satisfying, healthy, and comforting. The perfect dinner for a busy weeknight!
5 from 3 votes
Tortellini Tomato Soup
A white pot filled with creamy chicken, rice, and broccoli casserole, mixed together and topped with black pepper. Soft pretzel rolls on the side make the perfect accompaniment. A white serving spoon is partially visible on the right side.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet is a comforting and flavorful one pan meal that combines tender chicken, crispy broccoli, and fluffy rice! This quick and easy dish is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering a wholesome meal with minimal cleanup!
5 from 1 vote
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Skillet
A pan filled with zucchini spaghetti noodles mixed with tomato sauce being lifted with metal tongs.
Zucchini “Pasta” with Tomato Sauce
Gluten Free Zucchini “Pasta” mixed with a quick and easy tomato sauce! A healthy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes.
4.92 from 25 votes
Zucchini Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Treats

What’s September without the smell of warm goodies baking in the oven? Fresh produce like apples, pears, and pumpkin really shine in baked goods this time of year! Whether you make crisps, breads, or bars, these treats are perfect for celebrating fall.

Baked apple halves filled with oat crumble, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, sit in a caramel-like sauce—offering a comforting sweetness that perfectly contrasts bold dishes like Honey Chipotle Wings.
Stuffed Baked Apple Crisp
Stuffed Baked Apple Crisp loaded with a crunchy oat filling and topped with ice cream. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Stuffed Apple Crisp Recipe
pumpkin coffee cake
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake with its crunchy streusel topping and sweet glaze is perfect for breakfast or dessert, and only requires a few staple holiday baking ingredients.
4.83 from 29 votes
Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe
A small round baked dessert, such as Mini Apple Upside Down Cakes, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is served on a white plate with a gold spoon beside it.
Mini Apple Upside Down Cakes
These Mini Apple Upside Down Cakes are the perfect way to celebrate the autumn season! These bite-sized cakes are rich, buttery, and topped with caramelized apples for a dessert that’s both irresistibly delicious and so simple to make!
5 from 2 votes
Mini Apple Upside Down Cakes
A square slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with a dark crust, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, served on a white plate.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars made with a homemade graham cracker and gingersnap crust. Topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It is the perfect dessert for fall!
5 from 2 votes
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
A white plate holds three sugar-coated Apple Cider Donuts and a small donut hole, all covered in a layer of cinnamon sugar.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Melt in your mouth Apple Cider Doughnuts made with fresh apple cider. Easy fall doughnut recipe to make at home!
5 from 2 votes
Apple Cider Doughnuts

More Recipes To Cook In September