Sage, rosemary and thyme might be the unofficial herbs of fall, but sage always seems to get the least attention. It brings a deep, earthy flavor that fits November cooking better than most people realize, and it adds a grounded, comforting note to everything from quick weeknight meals to holiday favorites. These recipes give sage the spotlight it deserves with dishes that feel right for the season and easy to fit into real life. Each one shows how much character a few fresh leaves can bring to a pan.

Baked Butternut Squash Risotto

This baked risotto gives you rich fall comfort with barely any stirring. The butternut squash softens into the grains as it cooks, and the brown butter sage sauce ties everything together in a way that fits the cozy November vibe. Toasted pine nuts add crunch, and the oven does most of the work, which makes this great for busy nights when you want something hearty without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Risotto
Stuffing Muffins

These muffins combine sausage, apples, cranberries, sage and pine nuts into individual portions that bake neatly in a muffin tin. They carry all the best parts of classic stuffing with easier serving and reheating. The sage brings in that unmistakable fall aroma that ties them to November meals.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing Muffins
Honey Chicken Apple Salad

This salad mixes chicken, apples and sage with a light honey dressing for a lunch that tastes seasonal without being heavy. It comes together quickly and holds up well if packed ahead. The sage gives it a gentle fall flavor that fits naturally into November cooking.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chicken Apple Salad
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Puréed butternut squash creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta, while caramelized mushrooms and sage add depth. It cooks in a short amount of time and feels right for evenings when you want something comforting but not complicated.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Chocolate Dipped Almond Cashew Butter Cookies

These cookies prove that sage isn’t limited to savory dishes. The nutty cashew-almond base bakes into a chewy center, and the dark chocolate coating adds just the right contrast. Candied sage on top brings a subtle herbal note that feels fresh and seasonal without overpowering the cookie. They make a fun baking project for November and add something different to any fall dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Almond Cashew Butter Cookies
Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole

This casserole uses eggs, turkey sausage, grated apples, sage and Jarlsberg to create a hearty breakfast bake. It holds together well and feeds a group without much prep. The sage works naturally with the apples and sausage to bring in that fall flavor profile you expect in November.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Egg Yolk Ravioli

This ravioli is filled with ricotta that surrounds a whole egg yolk, giving you a rich center once you cut into it. The brown butter sauce and crisp sage leaves bring a deep fall flavor that works perfectly for November cooking. It looks like a project but comes together with simple steps if you follow the pace and give yourself a little counter space.
Get the Recipe: Egg Yolk Ravioli
Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup

This soup blends roasted pumpkin with tart apples for a mix that feels grounded and seasonal. Fresh sage on top brings out the November aroma you expect from a fall dish. It cooks in under an hour and reheats well, which makes it easy to keep on hand for lunches or quick dinners. The toppings add texture without extra work, and the whole pot feels right for cooler days.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup
Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken breasts stay juicy under layers of prosciutto, sage and provolone, and the quick pan sauce brings everything together. It’s a simple way to get big flavor without a long cooking process, and sage fits naturally into the whole dish. This works well for nights when you want dinner to feel a bit special without a complicated prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Saltimbocca
Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Pasta

Roasted butternut squash blends into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta, and the feta brings a tang that balances the sweetness. Sage fits easily into the fall flavor here, giving it that November aroma without extra effort. This is a straightforward weeknight meal that relies on roasting to build depth while you take care of the rest of your evening.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Pasta
Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes use four cheeses plus crisp sage to create a richer side than the standard version. The cheese melts smoothly into the potatoes, and the sage adds that unmistakable seasonal note that feels right in November. They pair well with hearty mains and come together quickly with basic stovetop steps.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Mashed White Sweet Potatoes With Brown Butter

White sweet potatoes get whipped with brown butter infused with sage for a side that feels both familiar and fresh. The caramelized butter brings depth, and the potatoes stay smooth and creamy with very little work. This fits naturally into cooler season meals, whether you serve it on a weeknight or with a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Mashed White Sweet Potatoes With Brown Butter
Pumpkin Biscuits with Sage

These pumpkin biscuits bake up flaky with the help of brown butter and chopped sage. They come together quickly and bring that unmistakable November aroma when they hit the oven. They work well with soups, roasted meats or as something to snack on while the rest of dinner finishes.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Biscuits with Sage
Herb Butter Turkey

This turkey roasts with a sage-focused herb butter that melts into the meat as it cooks. The apple cider adds a light sweetness, and the pan drippings turn into a simple gravy that ties everything together. It cooks evenly without much attention, making it a strong option for smaller gatherings or weekend dinners.
Get the Recipe: Herb Butter Turkey
Boneless Turkey Breast

This turkey breast uses an herb butter mixture with sage to keep it moist and flavorful from start to finish. It cooks faster than a whole bird and fits easily into weeknight timing, especially when you want those November flavors without planning your entire evening around them. It slices cleanly and works well for sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Boneless Turkey Breast
Bacon, Sage and Onion Stuffing

This stuffing uses bacon, onions, and sage to create a savory base that fits seamlessly into fall meals. The bread soaks in the flavors as it bakes, giving you a hearty side that works for both holidays and simple dinners. It reheats well, making leftovers just as good.
Get the Recipe: Bacon, Sage and Onion Stuffing
Ravioli with Browned Butter and Sage

Fresh ravioli tossed in brown butter with crisp sage and walnuts makes a quick meal that tastes layered without a lot of steps. The sage brings that November aroma you expect from a fall pasta dish. It cooks fast, uses pantry staples, and works for both weeknights and casual dinners with friends.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli with Browned Butter and Sage
Classic Vegetable Pot Pie

This pot pie has a creamy vegetable filling tucked under a flaky crust, and sage fits naturally into the aromatic base. It’s a reliable dinner when the weather turns cold because it reheats well and makes the house smell like fall. The recipe uses basic vegetables and comes together in a single baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Classic Vegetable Pot Pie
Ricotta Gnocchi

Ricotta gnocchi cook quickly and stay light while still being filling. They pair well with sage butter, which gives them the November aroma that ties into the theme of the season. This dish comes together in under half an hour, making it great for nights when you want comfort without a long prep.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Gnocchi
Chicken and Sage Pasta

This pasta uses caramelized onions, chicken and sage to build flavor without a complicated process. The breadcrumb topping adds crunch and makes the dish feel more complete. It’s a practical weeknight dinner with a fall profile that fits naturally into November cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Sage Pasta
Blue Cheese Pasta

Blue cheese melts into a creamy sauce and gets balanced by toasted garlic breadcrumbs and sage. The dish is quick to assemble and works for evenings when you want something sturdy and comforting. The sage pulls the whole thing into November territory without overpowering the cheese.
Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese Pasta
Butternut Squash, Parmesan and Sage Tart

This tart layers roasted squash with a Parmesan and sage cream inside a crisp pastry crust. It bakes up beautifully and works as a weekend lunch, dinner side or meatless main. The ingredients reinforce each other with simple steps that make the whole dish manageable even on a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash, Parmesan and Sage Tart
Brown Butter and Sage Polenta

Polenta turns creamy with the help of brown butter and cheese, and sage brings in that classic fall aroma. This dish works as a base for roasted vegetables or meats, or you can serve it on its own as a comforting side. It cooks steadily on the stovetop and has a smooth texture that comes together without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter and Sage Polenta
Sage Prosciutto and Gruyere Chicken Roulade

This roulade rolls chicken breasts with prosciutto, sage and Gruyere for a dish that feels a bit more special without being complicated. The flavors melt together in the oven, giving you a tender center with a crisp exterior. It slices neatly and works well for dinners where you want something flavorful yet manageable.
Get the Recipe: Sage Prosciutto and Gruyere Chicken Roulade
Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce

These potato gnocchi stay soft and pillowy, and the sage butter sauce coats them evenly for a simple fall comfort dish. It requires only a few ingredients and cooks quickly once the gnocchi are formed. This recipe is a reliable standby for November evenings when you want something grounded and cozy.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.








