What to Cook This October

October is here already, somehow! We’ve been soaking up the crisp mornings and warm, sunny days. Our now two-year-old Grace loves to dine outside, so we usually eat in our screened porch. Yesterday morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the park. I’m definitely looking forward to a cozy fall and the holidays, but I might love these glorious days in between seasons the most.

As the weather cools down, let’s mark the time with warm apple crisp, hearty chili, and wholesome pumpkin bread. You’ll find more seasonal recipes to enjoy below, and I have a full line-up of new recipes coming your way this fall!

Apples

Trust me, no one will suspect that these fluffy cinnamon apple muffins are healthy! cookieandkate.com

Healthy Apple Muffins

Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)

“Made them this morning with one Granny Smith and one Macintosh. Your recipe is fantastic! The rose so well, made a beautiful crust and were nice and tender inside. Taste was great!” – Pierre

More apple recipes »

Beets

Raw Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach in bowls

Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach

Gluten free and vegan

“This could be THE best salad I have ever made. I have a vegan friend who I am always trying to find interesting recipes for and she also loved it. I made it exactly as per your recipe apart from adding a mixture of toasted almond flakes and pumpkins seeds.” – Heather

More beet recipes »

Broccoli

Broccoli casserole, made better with roasted broccoli, cheddar cheese, quinoa and whole grain breadcrumbs. - cookieandkate.com

Broccoli, Cheddar & Quinoa Gratin

Gluten free

“This was so good! I’ve been trying to find one dish recipes that can also feed baby and this was perfect! I was almost too lazy to make the breadcrumbs but I’m so glad I did because it was simple and and so worth it! I also used a bit of cauliflower because I had it and it was good in there too. I think I’m going to make this again and bring it to Easter! It’s a perfect healthier version of a classic!” – Stephanie

More broccoli recipes »

Cabbage

This hot pink slaw is totally irresistible, thanks to—surprise—coconut! If you like coconut, you're going to love this nutrient-dense slaw/side salad. cookieandkate.com

Hot Pink Coconut Slaw

Gluten free and vegan

“This was delicious! We devoured it all. Our 3-year-old even said “Num, num!” and she is not usually a huge cabbage fan.” – Amanda

More cabbage recipes »

Carrots

This creamy, Thai-spiced carrot and sweet potato soup comes from Angela Liddon's new cookbook, Oh She Glows Everyday! cookieandkate.com

Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

Gluten free and vegan

“Today was our first cool day for the season. When I stepped outside for my morning walk I knew I would be making this soup for dinner. It was so good. Thanks so much for choosing to share this tasty recipe. I can’t wait to get Angela’s new cookbook.” – Cathy

More carrot recipes »

Cauliflower

cauliflower rice side dish recipe

Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice

Gluten free and vegan

“I’ve never had cauliflower rice before, but a Google search took me to this recipe, which I made tonight. It was absolutely delicious and I have enough leftovers to use as a side dish tomorrow night I highly recommend it!” – Deirdre

More cauliflower recipes »

Corn

Enjoy this Southwestern black bean salad recipe all week long! It's colorful and bursting with nutrients. cookieandkate.com

Fresh Black Bean Salad

Gluten free and vegan

“I made this when we were on vacation this summer, and we had it with tostadas as chips to scoop it up. My ten-year-old son said “best dinner ever!” It was scrumptious. I’ve made it a couple times now, and I love having it on hand in the fridge for snacks or easy meals. Yum! Delish and very fresh testing!” – E

More corn recipes »

Cucumber

mint dressing poured over fattoush salad

Fattoush Salad with Mint Dressing

Easily vegan

“This is SO delicious I absolutely love how all the flavors work together & that mint dressing is incredibly yummy! Thanks Kate & Cookie!” – Colleen

More cucumber recipes »

Eggplant

ratatouille with bread

The Best Ratatouille

Gluten free and vegan (just depends on your accompaniments)

“I was totally blown away by this Ratatouille recipe…so simple with so much flavor! I picked this particular recipe because I have a basil plant that went into overload so I have an abundance of basil and wanted to use it up before the season runs out on us. I totally underestimated the power of “roasting”! Thank you so much!!” – Dessa

More eggplant recipes »

Fennel

A fresh and filling spring salad, featuring arugula, carrots, quinoa and avocado - cookieandkate.com

Spring Carrot, Radish and Quinoa Salad with Herbed Avocado

Gluten free and easily vegan

“I LOVED this salad! Made it twice in one week. I skipped the honey in the dressing and used pumpkin seeds in stead. Great combination of favors and textures. This salad made me a follower of your recipes!” – Lisa

More fennel recipes »

Grapes

Jammy roasted grapes on brie and toast make a simple, seasonal appetizer!

Roasted Grape Crostini with Brie and Fresh Thyme

Just vegetarian

I need you to try these crostini and let me know how you like them!

That’s my only recipe with grapes so far. More to come.

Hardy greens (arugula,
chard, collard greens & spinach)

This amazing Mexican green salad recipe is the perfect healthy side for your favorite Mexican dishes! Get the recipe at cookieandkate.com

Mexican Green Salad with Jalapeño-Cilantro Dressing

Gluten free and easily vegan

“This Mexican salad is absolutely delicious! The dressing is to die for. Even my 26 year old son who is not a big salad eater really enjoyed it and even took some home with him. He especially liked the dressing. I added two cups of cooked quinoa to make it a little more filling as well as some fresh corn I needed to use up. I have been eating it all week for lunch and it is just perfect. I used a rather large jalapeno but removed the seeds etc and the dressing is not too spicy but has a little kick to it.” – Annika

More salad recipes »

Kale

Mediterranean sweet potato farro salad, perfect for weeknight dinners! cookieandkate.com

Mediterranean Roasted Sweet Potato & Farro Salad

Easily vegan

“I made this for supper tonight, and I love it! There might not be leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. My grocery store didn’t have sumac, but I’ll have to get some for next time, because I’m definitely making it again!” – Emilie

More kale recipes »

Melons

watermelon salad recipe with herbed yogurt sauce cucumber and shallot

Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Gluten free and easily vegan

“Wonderful refreshing summer lunch. I used an English cucumber. I was surprised how much I liked the pickled shallots. I’ll make again as long as watermelon is in season.” – Allison

More watermelon recipes » (also cantaloupe and these honeydew margaritas)

Mushrooms

Gluten free quiche recipe

Arugula and Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust

Gluten free

“You just won my meat-eating friends over with this quiche! They’re going to be running over to C+K now for recipes! Thanks again for another hit! It’s so easy to be a “chef” with these fail proof recipes!” – Deepthi

More mushroom recipes »

Pears

pear raspberry crostini

Pear, Raspberry and Goat Cheese Crostini

Just vegetarian

“This morning I was frantically running around the kitchen in desperate search for a healthy lunch to pack. So you saved me! It took me 4 minutes to prep all of this and take it to-go. Now I’m sitting quietly at my desk waiting for lunch time. Is it here yet?” – Sylvia

More pear recipes »

Peppers

This red Thai curry recipe is just as good as your favorite Thai restaurant's! cookieandkate.com

Thai Red Curry with Vegetables

Gluten free and vegan

“The best curry ever!
Fabulous and so quick and easy to make.” – Gillian

More bell pepper recipes » (also jalapeños)

Pumpkin

This creamy pumpkin marinara recipe tastes indulgent, but it's full of vegetables! #vegetarian

Creamy Pumpkin Marinara

Easily gluten free and easily vegan

“I made this last night and it was quick, easy, and delicious! My children (7 & 10) loved it and they can be a tough crowd to please :-)” – Stefanie

More pumpkin recipes »

Potatoes

Amazing crispy roasted breakfast potatoes (also called home fries!) - cookieandkate.com

Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

Gluten-free and vegan

Please roast up these potatoes and comment on the post to let me know how they turn out!

More potato recipes »

Radishes

mega crunchy quinoa salad recipe

Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa

Gluten free and vegan

“Eating this salad right now and I am blown away! So crunchy and the dressing is awesome! Perfect for today’s summer weather.

Thanks for all your awesome recipes!! :)” – Frances

More radish recipes »

Squash (summer & winter varieties)

Roasted butternut squash, apple and wheat berry salad recipe

Hearty Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Salad

Easily gluten free and vegan

“Made this salad last night and it was a huge hit with the crowd! Substituted quinoa for wheat berries because that’s what I had at the time. The best part is eating leftovers for lunch today! Whenever I need some ideas for dinner I check out your recipes and I have loved all of them. Thanks for sharing!” – Gillian

More butternut squash recipes » (also delicata squash, acorn squash, yellow squash and zucchini)

Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes with green rice and black beans. cookieandkate.com

Spicy Sweet Potato and Green Rice Burrito Bowls

Gluten free and vegan

“Loved this! Perfect supper with wind chills below zero. I’ll be making that rice again and again. Can’t wait to taste it tomorrow, I think it will taste even better. Thanks for this great recipe.” – Kathleen

More sweet potato recipes »

More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!

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