While I make it a point to soak up every ounce of daylight in the summer, come fall, I quickly transition into a homebody. Sure, nature is beautiful, but I can watch the leaves change color from the window in my living room where it’s warm and cozy. Along with the chillier weather, fall’s shorter days also contribute to me spending more time at home, where I naturally gravitate to the kitchen.
Instead of quickly cooking up a bowl of pasta or a slab of protein for dinner, I’m more inclined to spend a few extra minutes preparing a well rounded meal that includes an actual side dish. A meal with more than one dish? What a concept! The side dishes we’re featuring here highlight the bounty of hearty produce available during the fall—we’ve got your carrots, mushrooms, and, of course, cauliflower and broccoli. Plus, they are incredibly easy to put together. The recipes below, such as Caesar roasted broccoli, air-fried Brussels sprouts, and sweet and spicy roasted carrots, can be quickly assembled and then cooked mostly hands off in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop while you prepare your main course. These easy fall side dishes are just what you need to complete your meal and enjoy a little extra time—but just a little, we promise—in your kitchen.
