Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl

Introduction

The Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl is the ultimate celebration of fall flavors and textures, bringing together earthy roasted vegetables, hearty whole grains, and a vibrant, tangy dressing. It’s a flexible, satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and comforting—perfect for crisp autumn evenings, meal prep, or an impressive potluck main. The recipe layers both nutrition and flavor, making it a go-to for seasonal eating and healthy lunch or dinner options.

Why You’ll Love This Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl

The true appeal of the Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl lies in its versatility and bold seasonal flavors. Roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples mingle with chewy farro or quinoa, finished with creamy goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and a simple maple-Dijon vinaigrette. Each bite is a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, nutty, and tangy, and the ingredients can easily be mixed and matched based on what you have on hand. It’s vibrant, filling, and just as stunning on a weeknight table as at a festive fall gathering.

Building the Perfect Grain Bowl Base

Select your favorite hearty grain—farro, quinoa, or brown rice all work beautifully. Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions, using a little vegetable broth for added flavor if desired. This sturdy base anchors the bowl’s texture and absorbs flavor from the vinaigrette.

Roasting Autumn Veggies to Perfection

Toss chunks of sweet potatoes and halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Roast until caramelized for that signature toasty-sweet flavor. Roasting apples for the last 10 minutes mellows their tartness and enhances their natural sugar—think apple pie meets savory dinner.

Bringing it All Together

Pile your grains into a bowl, then top with the roasted vegetables and apples. Crumble goat or feta cheese over the warm bowl, and add toasted pecans for crunch. A drizzle of the maple-Dijon vinaigrette ties it all together, while a handful of fresh greens (arugula or baby spinach) brightens each bite.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Autumn Harvest Grain Bowls

Serve your grain bowls as a hearty vegetarian main or round them out with a portion of roast chicken or salmon. For even more texture, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries. These bowls hold up beautifully for meal prep—simply assemble and store the vinaigrette, cheese, and nuts separately until just before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 hearty bowls. Each bowl (before cheese and nuts) averages around 400-450 calories, packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, and plant-based protein. It’s a satisfying choice for balanced weekly meals or vibrant dinner parties.

Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl (Recap)

Combining roasted veggies, wholesome grains, and creamy cheese, this Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl is the essence of fall in every bite. Customizable for dietary needs and meal prep, it’s a flavorful, colorful dish you’ll return to all season long.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to generate an organized, store-sectioned shopping list with all ingredients—making your grocery trips quicker and meal planning stress-free.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cook farro (or grain of choice) according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
3. On the prepared baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes.
4. Add chopped apples to the baking sheet, toss, and roast for an additional 10 minutes until all are tender and caramelized.
5. Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Assemble bowls: Divide grains among four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and apples, baby greens, toasted pecans, and crumbled goat cheese or feta.
7. Drizzle maple-Dijon vinaigrette over the bowls just before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Weekly Meal Planning

The Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl is ideal for healthy weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal plan to keep organized and generate consolidated shopping lists for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies ingredients across recipes—never over- or under-buy.
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery section for faster, easier errands.
• Avoids forgotten items and duplicate purchases for stress-free cooking.
• Makes meal prepping efficient and ensures balanced, seasonal eating.

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, schedule your week to see overlapping ingredients. For example, if this bowl and another recipe use arugula, your shopping list will combine those amounts—saving time, money, and waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes