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‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin! Pumpkin has a wonderful, earthy, sweet flavor that works across a rainbow of dishes. Read on for a cornucopia of Fabulous Fall Pumpkin recipes! From smoothies to desserts, pasta to casseroles, there’s something for everyone.
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There’s a vast collection of pumpkin recipes online, and we’re all happier for it. Right? And if pumpkin is one of the seasonal highlights of fall for you, these creative, unique, and, most importantly, delicious pumpkin recipes will help you make the most of the supply of fresh pumpkin! The good thing about pumpkins is that they effortlessly add heft, creaminess, and a subtle sweetness to dishes. And it plays well with so many warming spices, too. So fire up your taste buds and read on for my fave easy pumpkin recipes.
Why You Should Make More Pumpkin Recipes
- Nutrient-rich. Pumpkins are packed with nutrition. They’re rich in essential vitamins like A, C, and potassium and filled with fiber. Including more healthy pumpkin recipes in your fall lineup can help create a more balanced overall diet.
- Enjoy seasonal flavors. Pumpkin captures the warm, comforting flavors of autumn. What better way to fully embrace the seasonal spirit than by using this winter quash in your kitchen?
- Versatile ingredient. Pumpkin is remarkably versatile and can be used in sweet and savory dishes. From soups to salads to pies and muffins, there’s a wide range of recipes where pumpkin shines.
- Pumpkin is simply delicious. Its rich, earthy taste and natural sweetness add a wonderful depth of flavor to dishes, making them satisfying and full of flavor. But I admit, I’m partial to baking pumpkin recipes.
Tips for Cooking with Pumpkin in Recipes
- Steer clear of big pumpkins when selecting fresh ones. Look for small “sugar” or “pie” pumpkins for cooking and baking. These pumpkins are sweeter and have a smoother texture, which is less fibrous. You want your squash to have a dull surface; if it’s shiny, that means the pumpkin is not ripe.
- Don’t throw out the seeds. They make a delicious snack and a wonderful garnish for autumn soups and salads. Learn how to roast pumpkin seeds and properly store them so they last you all season long.
- Use canned pumpkin puree whenever needed. It retains that wonderful texture and subtle sweetness, and for some recipes, like pumpkin pie, I prefer it since it has less moisture than the fresh variety. But if you have trouble finding canned pumpkin in your local grocery store, why not give homemade pumpkin puree a try?
- Roast the squash first to enhance its flavor if used in soups. Roasting a pumpkin elevates any soup to dinner party status!
- Bulk up curries and stews with pumpkin. The mild flavor of pumpkin means it soaks up all those aromatic flavors and spices easily, making it a perfect base for those hearty dishes.
- Add sweetness to baking recipes with grated pumpkin. It gives a beautifully subtle sweetness to cakes and baked goods. If your grated pumpkin is a little too wet, give it a squeeze before using it and monitor it during baking – the added moisture may mean it needs a bit longer in the oven.
My Best Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin is the epitome of fall flavor, and if you’re looking for easy pumpkin recipes from sun up to sun down, I’ve got you covered. This collection of pumpkin recipes has it all.
Basic Pumpkin Recipes
All easy pumpkin recipes start with the basic how-to’s. This goes beyond how to carve a pumpkin and dives into making the most of this winter squash, from making homemade puree to roasting those seeds for delicious snacking.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
Breakfast Ideas with Pumpkin
Whether you enjoy an oatmeal bar on your way to work or sit down to a hearty bowl of muesli, these easy pumpkin recipes will keep you satisfied and energized well until lunchtime.
No Bake Pumpkin Balls
Pumpkin Pancakes
Muesli with Pumpkin Seeds
Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Pumpkin Banana Muffins
Healthy Pumpkin Bars Recipe (with Oatmeal)
Homemade Pumpkin Waffles (Pumpkin Spice Waffles)
Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Copycat Recipe
Pumpkin Beverage Recipes
When you add pumpkin to drinks, something magical happens. It adds that rich, luscious texture and a boost of vitamins you can’t get from anything else.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin Milkshake
The Best Pumpkin Spinach Smoothie
Homemade Lighter Pumpkin Frappuccino – Sally’s Baking Addiction
Delicious Pumpkin Appetizers
Kick off your fall dinner with these tasty hors d’ouvres. They are the most perfect way to warm up your taste buds and bring some pumpkin flavor to your table before the actual meal. And if you’re looking for tasty dippers, you will love homemade pita bread, pita chips, or just a platter of veggie sticks.
Savory Pumpkin Dip | Gimme Some Oven
Easy Spicy Pumpkin Hummus (5 Minutes)
Pumpkin Fritters
Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini
Pumpkin Recipes for Dinner
Whether you’re looking for vegetarian pumpkin recipes or want something hearty and full of protein, these healthy pumpkin recipes are here to save you from the dreaded 5 o’clock dinner panic. They’re quick and easy to make, satisfying, and delicious. Make these pumpkin recipes for dinner and enjoy this seasonal gourd to the fullest.
Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Pumpkin Chicken Soup – Seasons and Suppers
Healthy, Creamy Pumpkin Ginger Soup – Skinnytaste
Pumpkin Cream Soup with Roasted Hazelnut Gremolata
5 Ingredient Thai Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Cauliflower Gratin – Well and Full
Pumpkin Chili
Vegetarian Pumpkin Recipes
If there’s one thing pumpkin does best, it is that it can add a hearty, nutritious, and creamy texture to most vegetarian recipes. Whether you’re looking for a cozy main dish or a comforting side dish, these vegetarian pumpkin recipes promise to bring lots of warm, pumpkin-y flavors to the table.
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Pasta with Crispy Sage
Pumpkin Risotto
Vegetarian Spinach Pumpkin Lasagna | Ambitious Kitchen
Pumpkin Pasta with Toasted Walnuts and Spinach
Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup
Vegan Pumpkin Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Did I mention how versatile pumpkin is? It can go from adding heftiness to soups and casseroles to adding incredibly rich and smooth texture to desserts. Whether you’re making a traditional pumpkin pie or trying something new, pumpkin’s natural sweetness and velvety consistency make it an ideal ingredient in sweet treats. And I promise you, these pumpkin dessert recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth craving and bring a taste of fall in every bite.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Bars
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Frequently Asked Questions
These two terms are often used interchangeably, though their textures may differ. Homemade pumpkin puree tends to have more water content and the texture may run slightly thinner than the storebought canned variety. In contrast, canned pumpkin puree typically has a denser and more thicker texture due to the processing and canning.
No! Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar, spices, and sometimes thickeners. You would typically use that for pumpkin pies and other desserts. Pumpkin puree, on the other hand, is cooked and mashed pumpkin, usually with no added ingredients other than pumpkin itself. Pumpkin puree is what you want to add to pumpkin recipes for dinner or other savory dishes like soups and pastas.
Pumpkin has a naturally sweet and earthy flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients and spices. For baking pumpkin recipes, maple, vanilla, apples, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon are great accompaniments. Savory pumpkin recipes may include ginger, sage, thyme, coconut, and pecans or walnuts for a crunch.
This collection of fall pumpkin recipes has something for everyone! From mouthwatering pumpkin recipes vegetarians will love to wholesome and healthy pumpkin recipes for the whole family. And don’t forget to finish the meal with some of the most delightful pumpkin dessert recipes. So be sure to stock up on some of the best sugar pumpkins from your local pumpkin patch to last you all season long. Don’t let another fall season pass you by without these easy pumpkin recipes.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Recipes to Make this Fall, Best Apple Recipes, Healthy Holiday Appetizers, and Nourishing Soup Recipes.
If you try any of these Pumpkin Recipes or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, leave a comment below! We would love to hear about your experience making the recipes. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it on Instagram so we can repost on my stories!