Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (October 3 – 9)

The weather’s getting colder and the days are getting shorter. To no one’s surprise, we’re craving coziness at every turn. Luckily, there’s no shortage of hearty recipes to sink your teeth into this fall. Read on for seven dinners to cook this week that are the definition of comfort food (and fetch your favorite chunky sweater out of hibernation while you’re at it).

Savory shallots, garlicky mushrooms, tender noodles and a beefy, creamy sauce that will soothe you to the core—all that’s missing is a glass of red. Oh, and most of the ingredients cook in a single pot, in case you need more convincing.

Vegetarian tacos are nothing to scoff at, and these handheld delights are proof. Store-bought guacamole and quick-searing halloumi cheese put them only 20 minutes out of reach.

Sheet pan loaded tots, but make ’em autumnal. Sweet potato wedges take over for frozen spuds, while seasonal toppings, like dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, hit you right in the fall feels.

This skillet wonder will satisfy even the pickiest eaters at your dinner table. Ground Italian sausage keeps the dish filling, but the real star is the trio of cheeses: ricotta, Gouda and mozz.

Does it get more comforting than a gooey, herby, buttery grilled cheese encased in fancy bacon? We think not. (Actually, you could pair it with a bowl of tomato soup…)

Spaghetti, you’ll have to sit this one out. Don’t let polenta intimidate you: Contrary to popular belief, you *won’t* need to stir this one nonstop for hours on end, but rather whisk it occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Crockpot season has officially arrived, and we couldn’t be more psyched. Simply dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker, leave it on low for seven hours, stir in the cream and devour. 

For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.

_{Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.}