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October Dinner Ideas

By Chef Michael Rossi

The light goes early in October, and dinner starts feeling like dinner again. Squash, apples, pears and the first hearty greens come in, and the oven earns its spot back.

Slower food, but not slower weeknights. These are real dinners from SEASON plans, written for 5:30 on a Tuesday.

Thanksgiving turkey with the sidesThursday, November 26Thanksgiving, Handled.Ten dishes, one shopping trip, a clock for Thursday.See the plan →
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Dinners worth cooking right now

Butternut Squash Soup - Orange · Maple · Cheddar-Gruyere Grilled Cheese
Butternut Squash Soup
Orange · Maple · Cheddar-Gruyere Grilled Cheese
Classic · One Pot, 40 Minutes
Pork Pozole Verde - Hominy · Tomatillo · Radish
Pork Pozole Verde
Hominy · Tomatillo · Radish
Classic · Slow Cooker, 6 Hours
Chili & Cornbread - Pinto & Kidney · Bulgur · Chipotle
Chili & Cornbread
Pinto & Kidney · Bulgur · Chipotle
Plant-Based · One Pot, 45 Minutes
Farro Harvest Bowl - Farro · Roasted Squash · Apple · Pecan
Farro Harvest Bowl
Farro · Roasted Squash · Apple · Pecan
Plant-Based · Grain Bowl, 35 Minutes
Tuscan Salmon - Cannellini · Lacinato Kale · Lemon
Tuscan Salmon
Cannellini · Lacinato Kale · Lemon
Classic · Skillet, 25 Minutes
Ratatouille over Polenta - Eggplant · Zucchini · Creamy Polenta
Ratatouille over Polenta
Eggplant · Zucchini · Creamy Polenta
Plant-Based · Skillet, 45 Minutes
Miso-Maple Cod Bowl - Miso · Maple · Edamame
Miso-Maple Cod Bowl
Miso · Maple · Edamame
Classic · Sheet Pan, 25 Minutes
Pear & Pomegranate Salad - Pear · Pomegranate · Toasted Walnut
Pear & Pomegranate Salad
Pear · Pomegranate · Toasted Walnut
Plant-Based · No-Cook, 15 Minutes

Whole weeks from this stretch of the year

A dinner from October 12 - 18, 2026
October 12 - 18, 2026
Ten dinners, one shopping list
A dinner from October 5 - 11, 2026
October 5 - 11, 2026
Ten dinners, one shopping list
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