September Suppers: 6 Recipes For The First Chilly Evenings

Ah, September. There are still balmy days to be had (weather gods-willing), but despite that, the atmosphere is, inevitably, changing, not least thanks to the fast-contracting daylight hours and the shifting light. That spells many changes in our daily lives – not least of which is that supper suddenly needs a rethink. Tomatoes on toast and something leafy no longer quite hit the spot; the oven goes on and, after months of heatwaves and thus swerving anything that might reasonably be described as hearty, we find ourselves actively craving it again.



We’re not ready for full winter stodge just yet. Instead, think golden squash, earthy mushrooms, beans and bubbling pots, tempered with lemon, herbs and plenty of late-season greens. From a 25-minute gnocchi to Nigella’s gloriously comforting chicken and orzo, these are the dishes seeing us deliciously into autumn.

Mushroom Farfalle

Jamie Oliver


If there’s one ingredient that signals the arrival of early autumn, it’s mushrooms. Jamie’s speedy farfalle combines chestnut mushrooms and porcini with garlic, thyme and a little truffle oil, served alongside a crunchy apple, hazelnut and blue cheese salad. Best of all, it’s on the table in just 15 minutes – exactly the sort of low-effort comfort food we want when the evenings first start drawing in.
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Nigella

Chicken In A Pot With Lemon And Orzo


A whole chicken, carrots and leeks slowly cook together with garlic, lemon, tarragon and a little chilli before orzo is stirred straight into the pot to swell in all those lovely juices. The result is something between roast chicken and a wonderfully brothy risotto – deeply comforting, but the lemon and herbs keep everything suitably bright for these transitional days. Even better, it all arrives at the table in one handsome pot.
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Delicious Magazine

Chicken, Sausage And Squash Stew


The appearance of the first butternut squashes is one of the compensations for summer drawing to a close. Here, chunks of squash are simmered with chicken thighs, browned sausages, shallots, rosemary and white wine until everything becomes rich and yielding. Bring the casserole straight to the table with crusty bread for mopping and you have a supper that makes darker evenings feel appealing.
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Olive Magazine

Toulouse Sausage And Butter Bean Casserole


All the slow-cooked satisfaction of a proper casserole without spending the afternoon tending one – in short, the dream. Spicy sausages, bacon, leeks and creamy butter beans bubble together with white wine, chicken stock and a pinch of chilli, and the whole thing is ready in just 40 minutes. An excellent one to have up your sleeve when the temperature drops on a weeknight and you feel the need for comfort.
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Good Food

Honey Mustard Salmon, Potato And Long-Stem Broccoli Traybake


This simple traybake brings salmon, new potatoes and long-stem broccoli together under a sticky honey and wholegrain mustard glaze – warming and substantial without delivering us prematurely into winter territory. Better still, it requires just 15 minutes of prep and one roasting tray. September supper, sorted.
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Delicious Magazine

Mushroom And Chestnut Filo Pie


And so, inevitably, to pie. But this is an early-autumn rather than depths-of-December affair: crisp, crumpled filo gives way to a creamy filling of mixed mushrooms, leeks, garlic, thyme and chestnuts, sharpened with a little lemon and white wine. It’s vegetarian, takes just 30 minutes to make and provides that all-important first golden pastry moment of the season.
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FAQs: September Suppers

What foods are in season in September?

September is one of the great crossover months for British produce. Summer tomatoes, courgettes and runner beans are still around, while early autumn brings apples, pears, plums, squash, leeks and an increasing abundance of mushrooms. It’s the perfect moment to start cooking more warming dishes without abandoning fresher flavours altogether.

What should I cook on a chilly autumn evening?

One-pots, traybakes, pasta, pies and hearty soups all come into their own as the temperature drops. In early autumn, look for recipes that combine warming ingredients such as squash, mushrooms, beans and sausages with brighter flavours including lemon, fresh herbs and seasonal greens.

What are some easy September midweek meals?

Traybakes and one-pot dishes are particularly useful at this time of year. Gnocchi is another speedy option – Jamie Oliver’s creamy leek version takes just 25 minutes – while quick casseroles made with tinned beans can deliver slow-cooked comfort without requiring hours at the stove.