10 Cosy Autumn Food Ideas

Get the heating on, dig out your favourite jumper and curl up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate: cosy season is officially here.

At M&S, we’ve got some autumn non-negotiables to check off your new season ‘to-do’ list. Spend time in the kitchen cooking up a comforting crumble or a cockle-warming soup, indulge in sugar, spice and all things nice (we’re looking at you, Gingerbread and White Chocolate Cookies), and squirrel away some early Christmas gifts from our Foodhall. Plus, win the prize for being the best organised and stock up on store cupboard staples, from chutneys and sauces to kitchen foil, then fill the freezer with get-ahead goodies.

Prepare to get excited for autumn, one delicious bite at a time. ​

3. Sip the ultimate hot chocolate

You can't beat a warming cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day, and our Foodhalls are bursting with everything you need to make your cup off-the-scale delicious. Think velvety Belgian Hot Chocolate Sachets, Giant Marshmallows and Maple Spice Syrup to add layers of flavour.

6. Make some mulled wine

Mulled wine will fill your home with the most incredible spiced aroma – what could be better as the darker evenings draw in? Make it yourself with our Collection Mulled Fruits for Wine or Mulling Spices kit, or pick up a pre-made bottle. Don't miss this year's trending high-street first Rosé Mulled Wine, with notes of citrus and vanilla.

7. Cook up some comfort food

From cockle-warming stews and buttery pies to rich pasta bakes topped with lashings of cheese, autumn is the time to embrace comfort food dishes. Two classic comfort food faves are combined in our French Onion Pasta Bake recipe, made easy thanks to our Collection French Onion Soup. Or try a maple bacon toastie, served with a bowl of our warming Parsnip Soup.

8. Get set for soup season

Soups are cheap, warming and will help you get your daily dose of veggies – extra important at this time of year, when winter colds are everywhere. From creamy celeriac and hazelnut soup to French onion soup with cheesy croutons, broccoli, apple and cheddar or a new twist on classic leek and potato, we've got a soup recipe to suit everyone.

9. Pop it away for the big day

There's no better time to get organised and stock up on get-ahead foodie gifts and festive flavour-boosting ingredients. Not only will it save you stress during the busy months of November and December, it also means you can spread out the cost.

10. Cosy up for a family film night

It's officially the season of staying in, and a snuggly family film night deserves epic snacks. Top our handy ready-made woodfired pizza base with pizza sauce and olives, toss popcorn in our Marmite Caramel Sauce, and serve with some next-level dips (Chicken Kyiv Hot Melting Dip, anyone?).