The Best Fall Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach artichoke dip is one of those cozy, crowd-pleasing appetizers that shows up at every great party — but this version has a little twist that makes all the difference. I add just ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, which sounds tiny, but it brings the whole dip to life. It doesn’t make it spicy. It simply adds warmth, depth, and that subtle “what is that?!” flavour that keeps people coming back for more. This spinach artichoke dip is hot, creamy, cheesy, and baked until the top turns golden and bubbly. It’s velvety inside with pockets of fresh spinach, tender artichokes, and three cheeses...

Pumpkin Pie Bars

A close-up of a pumpkin pie bar with a thick pumpkin filling on a shortbread crust, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe These Pumpkin Pie Bars have all the cozy flavor of classic pumpkin pie, baked on a buttery shortbread crust instead of pastry. The filling is creamy, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and my secret pinch of black pepper for extra depth. Slice them into neat pumpkin squares and top with whipped cream for the perfect fall dessert. Shortbread Crust1 ½ cups all-purpose flour⅓ cup granulated white sugar½ teaspoon salt¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter, (cold and sliced)1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractPumpkin Filling1 15-ounce can (1 ¾ cups) pure pumpkin purée ((not...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are soft, spiced, and filled with a rich cream cheese center, just like the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins—but even better homemade! Topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds, they bake up with tall, bakery-style domes and cozy fall flavour in every bite. Dry Ingredients1¾ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon of baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1½ teaspoons of cinnamon1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spiceWet Ingredients3/4 cup granulated white sugar3/4 light brown sugar1½ cups pure pumpkin puree1 tablespoon...

Green Curry Chicken and Rice (Easy One-Pot Dinner)

One-pot green curry chicken and rice topped with lime wedges and fresh cilantro in a Dutch oven.

This green curry chicken and rice has everything I want in a weeknight dinner: it’s quick to prep, cozy, and packed with bold flavor. The best part? It all comes together in one pot. The jasmine rice simmers right in the coconut green curry sauce, making this one-pot green curry chicken and rice extra flavorful as it cooks. What you get is tender chicken, fluffy rice, and fresh veggies all wrapped in a creamy curry that tastes like takeout — only easier and healthier. What makes this recipe special is that the rice isn’t served on the side, it’s part of the curry itself. That means every...

Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas

I love a good quesadilla, but standing over a skillet flipping them one by one while everyone else is already eating? Not exactly my idea of a good time. That’s why these Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas are such a game-changer. They bake all at once, slice beautifully, and the best part? I get to sit down and enjoy them with everyone else. It might just be the easiest, most crowd-pleasing appetizer I’ve ever made. These chicken quesadillas are crispy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and made to feed a crowd—no stovetop required. This isn’t your average Tuesday-night quesadilla situation. It’s...

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Fully glazed brown sugar ham sliced and served with orange slices and rosemary on a white platter.

Looking for the perfect holiday ham that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests? This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is everything you need and more. It’s sweet, savory, juicy, and has the yummiest sticky glaze with hints of garlic, orange, and warm spices. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this ham will be the star of the table. And yes—it's so much better than the store-bought glaze packets. Once you try this homemade brown sugar glaze, you’ll never go back! And if you're feeling a little intimidated by cooking a whole...

Best Beef Chili Recipe

A bowl of hearty beef chili topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, served with toasted baguette slices.

Are you on the hunt for the best beef chili recipe? Look no further! This hearty, flavorful chili is my go-to comfort food, and I’m sure it’ll quickly become yours too. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chili on a chilly night (I couldn’t resist). Packed with tender beef, my secret ingredient smoky bacon, beans, and a special blend of spices with a hint of brown sugar, it’s the perfect combo of rich flavors. In our home, we find it hard to stop eating—I've even had to explain to my husband that we can’t have this for dinner every night! If he had to pick just one dinner for the...

The Best Pasta alla Vodka

Pot of Pasta alla Vodka topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil

There’s something about a big bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka that just speaks to my soul—especially when the sauce is rich, garlicky, and clings to every bite of rigatoni. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little fancy but is surprisingly simple to make at home. The tomato paste gives it depth, the cream makes it silky, and the vodka? That’s the secret to pulling all the flavors together into one irresistibly smooth sauce. I’m sharing my secrets for making authentic, restaurant-worthy Pasta alla Vodka right at home. For this easy pasta recipe I toss the onion in a food...

The Best Au Gratin Potatoes (Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe)

Golden baked au gratin potatoes made with Yukon Gold potatoes and melted Gruyère cheese in a white casserole dish.

When it comes to cheesy comfort food, Au Gratin Potatoes (or as some call them, Scalloped Potatoes) are always a winner. This recipe layers tender Yukon Golds with a creamy spiced sauce and perfectly melted Gruyère cheese for a side dish that’s rich, cozy, and just a little fancy. It’s perfect for holidays, family dinners, or anytime you want something that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. What are Au Gratin Potatoes? Au Gratin Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich, creamy sauce with layers of melted cheese until golden and bubbly. While traditional scalloped potatoes...

Creamy French Onion Chicken

If you’re searching for an easy one-skillet dinner that feels fancy but is totally doable this Creamy French Onion Chicken has your name all over it. Juicy, golden-seared chicken breasts simmer in a silky sauce made with caramelized onions, garlic, fresh thyme, and cream—simple ingredients that taste SO good! Serve it on a chilly fall or winter night and let it bring a bit of French-inspired comfort to your table. This easy Creamy French Onion Chicken recipe was such a hit, it was featured as the Recipe of the Week in my Winnipeg Sun column—a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for both...

Best Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Recipe

Do you love lasagna? I’ve tried it all from homemade, at my favorite Italian spots, and even the frozen kind from the grocery store. Each one of those experiences has given me the joy of eating comfort food which is just so flavorful and rich. But I love lasagna so much that I tend to overdo it! Is that just me, or can anyone else relate? So, when I discovered the idea of using spaghetti squash to make lasagna, I was excited to try it out. I’m here to prove that comfort food can be both cheesy and healthy! That’s exactly why I created one of my all-time favorites: Spaghetti Squash...

The Best Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

You're going to love this pumpkin cake as much as I do! It's a super moist, single-layer pumpkin cake with the creamiest cream cheese frosting—perfect for fall gatherings like Thanksgiving or a cozy weekend at home. The pumpkin makes the cake irresistibly soft and gives it that gorgeous orange glow. And then there’s the frosting—oh, that frosting that’s so irresistible I could eat it straight from the spoon! I’ve made this cake four times this month, and trust me, it’s that good. This recipe is foolproof, easy to whip up, and packed with real pumpkin flavor without being overwhelmed by...