Fall really is the belle of the ball as far as seasons go. The transition from summer to winter makes for a kaleidoscope of colour, resulting in breathtaking vistas all over Canada. What’s more, fall is a wonderful season for culinary enthusiasts, as new veggies come into season and our cravings evolve from light and zesty salads to hearty and comforting meals. Pasta provides the perfect base to usher in the flavours of the fall harvest. That’s why Olivieri® is here to inspire your fall cooking with mouthwatering pasta recipes that make the most of autumn’s flavourful bounty.
Seasonal Canadian Fall Vegetables
Fall brings flavour in abundance. A host of delicious vegetables come into season around this time of year, shaping the way we cook during the months ahead. Here’s a quick taste of some of the ingredients autumn has to offer:
Root Vegetables
- Carrots
- Beets
- Turnips
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
Squash & Gourds
- Butternut squash
- Acorn squash
- Spaghetti squash
- Delicata squash
- Pumpkin
Greens
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage (green, red, Savoy, Napa)
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
- Celery root (celeriac)
- Fennel
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
Creamy Pasta with Butternut Squash
Squash is perhaps the vegetable most synonymous with fall. Soft in texture and sweet to taste, it’s a versatile and comforting root vegetable you can prepare in a variety of ways, always with spectacular results. This Butternut Squash Ravioli Chicken and Kale is made with our Olivieri® Artisan Butternut Squash and Creamy Mascarpone. Served with a creamy rosé sauce, it’s a seasonal meal in minutes.
Prefer a meat-free option? No problem! We’ve got just the dish for you: our Butternut Squash Ravioli Brown Butter and Sage.
Gnocchi Buddha Bowl with a Fall Twist
Buddha Bowl recipes are all the rage, and with good reason. These versatile rice bowls are easy to adapt, catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. If you’re looking to get creative and seasonal at the same time, try our Skillet Gnocchi Buddha Bowl. Boasting an array of delicious seasonal veggies—carrots, squash, cabbage—this 5-minute meal is the perfect dish to prepare at the end of a busy day.
Embracing Broccoli and Leafy Greens in Fall Cooking
Fall is the perfect season to boost your meals with extra greens. Kale, broccoli, and spinach all come into season, bringing earthy flavours to your cooking. The transition from summer to autumn is marked by time-honoured cooking traditions, as families begin to crave heartier meals. Luckily, Olivieri® is here to inspire you with a host of hearty and delicious recipes to usher in fall.
First up is a classic Italian recipe for Mama’s Tortellini Soup. Made with Olivieri® 3 Formaggi Tortellini, it’s a comforting soup recipe loaded with spinach leaves and parsley for an extra herbaceous kick.
Looking for a comforting, kid-friendly dish with extra veggies? Try this Skillet Mac and Cheese Bacon Gnocchi with Broccoli. Combining our Olivieri® Cheddar Bacon Skillet Gnocchi with chunky and refreshing broccoli florets, it’s a craveworthy meal that’s guaranteed to be a crowdpleaser come mealtime.
Another ingredient that always goes down well any time of year is Canadian bacon. Crispy and savoury, bacon elevates any dish it’s included in. What’s more, it pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of seasonal vegetables during fall, as this Cheese Gnocchi with Bacon and Brussels Sprouts amply demonstrates.
Cooking Methods for Fall
Fall cooking is all about warmth, comfort, and seasonal flavours. As the weather cools, kitchens shift from light summer fare to heartier dishes that showcase autumn’s harvest. Here are some of the best cooking methods to embrace fall cooking:
- Roasting: Brings out natural sweetness in root vegetables and squash.
- Braising: Perfect for tougher meats and hearty greens.
- Soups & Stews: Warming, filling, and easy to batch cook.
- Baking: From apple crisps to pumpkin bread, fall desserts shine.
Fall Feasts to Look Forward to
Fall in Canada is a special season — the leaves change, the air gets crisp, and gatherings tend to feel cozy, hearty, and community-focused. Here are some ways people celebrate and what you can plan around:
- Thanksgiving (October): The biggest fall gathering, often centred on turkey, stuffing, root vegetables, and pumpkin pie.
- Harvest Festivals: Many towns host fairs with apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and farmers’ markets.
- Halloween (October 31st): From family-friendly trick-or-treating to adult costume parties.
- Remembrance Day (November 11th): A quieter, reflective gathering in communities.
Bring Fall Cooking to Life
That wraps up our guide to fall cooking with pasta recipes. We hope your cooking shines with the same lustre as this most elegant of seasons. For more expert cooking tips and creative recipes, make sure to stop by our kitchen.