Celebrate pumpkin season with this curated collection of more than 35 pumpkin recipes. Inside you’ll find a variety of savory pumpkin dishes—soups, curries, pastas, salads and more—alongside an array of sweet pumpkin desserts, breads and breakfasts. This guide also covers practical tips for choosing, roasting and storing pumpkins, plus ideas for using both fresh pumpkin and canned purée so you can enjoy pumpkin all season long.
Pumpkin is a fall favorite because it’s incredibly adaptable. From creamy pumpkin pastas and hearty curries to moist quick breads and silky custards, pumpkin works in both sweet and savory preparations and pairs beautifully with warm spices, herbs and cheeses.
Many cooks rely on canned pumpkin purée for convenience, but roasting fresh pumpkin brings out a sweeter, nuttier flavor and a luxuriously smooth texture that elevates soups, risottos and desserts. Either option works—use whatever fits your schedule and taste.
This roundup is designed to inspire you to cook and bake with pumpkin in new ways, whether you’re making meal-prep dinners, holiday desserts or simple weekday breakfasts. I’ve grouped the recipes into savory and sweet sections for easy browsing.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin instead of fresh? Yes—canned pumpkin purée is convenient and works well in most baked goods and soups. Fresh-roasted pumpkin has a deeper, fresher flavor and creamier texture, which can make a noticeable difference in dishes like risotto or purée-based sauces.
How should I store pumpkins and purée? Whole pumpkins store best in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Once cut or cooked, keep pumpkin purée refrigerated and use within a few days, or freeze it for longer storage. Roasted pumpkin cubes and purée freeze well and are handy for meal prep.
Are pumpkin seeds useful? Absolutely—cleaned and roasted pumpkin seeds make a crunchy snack, a salad topping or a nutritious addition to granola. They’re rich in protein and healthy fats and are easy to season and roast at home.
Savory Pumpkin Recipes
Below are flavorful savory pumpkin recipes ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep and special gatherings.
Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Make-ahead stuffed shells filled with pumpkin and ricotta—comforting and convenient for busy evenings.
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Pumpkin Chili
A rich, hearty chili with ground turkey, pumpkin and black beans—perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly.
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Roast Pumpkin Feta Salad (With Chorizo)
Roasted pumpkin with tangy feta, spicy chorizo and toasted pine nuts—served warm with a bright vinaigrette.
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries
Crispy, seasoned pumpkin “fries” prepared quickly in the air fryer—an easy side or snack.
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Easy Pumpkin No Knead Bread
A rustic, flavorful loaf that looks impressive but requires minimal effort—great for serving with soups and salads.
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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
A creamy sauce made from pumpkin purée that pairs beautifully with fettuccine, penne or your favorite noodles.
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Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup (1 Pot + Vegan)
A one-pot vegan soup with Thai-inspired flavors—coconut, curry and pumpkin for a flavorful, nourishing bowl.
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Pumpkin Rigatoni with Crispy Sage
Creamy pumpkin rigatoni finished with crispy fried sage for a fast, elegant fall pasta.
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Pumpkin Risotto
Creamy risotto with roasted pumpkin, fresh thyme and optional smoky bacon—comforting and impressive for guests.
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Cheesy Pumpkin Taquitos with Roasted Jalapeño Pepita Crema
Vegetarian taquitos filled with spiced pumpkin and cheese, topped with a smoky pepita crema.
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Roasted Pumpkin (Whole Roasted and Cubes!)
A simple how-to for roasting pumpkin halves or cubes to use in soups, salads, risottos and desserts.
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Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup
A vegan, gluten-free soup that brightens roasted pumpkin with the sweetness of apples and warming spices.
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Crunchy, savory roasted pumpkin seeds—perfect as a snack or salad topper and easy to customize with spices.
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Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken
A creamy red curry with pumpkin, tender chicken and veggies—easy to make and great for freezing.
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Sweet Pumpkin Recipes
Sweet pumpkin treats are ideal for breakfast, coffee breaks and holiday desserts—here are some favorites.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread (Almond + Oat Flour)
A moist bread made with almond and oat flour, minimal oil and no refined sugar—great for gluten-free baking.
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Grain-Free Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars
Paleo-friendly pumpkin bars with an almond crust and maple-sweetened filling—an easy, healthier dessert option.
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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Whole wheat pumpkin bread studded with dark chocolate—cozy, lower in oil and simple to prepare.
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Pumpkin Butter
A sweet-spiced pumpkin spread that’s delicious on toast, pancakes or swirled into yogurt.
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Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist pumpkin cake topped with classic cream cheese frosting—perfect for fall gatherings.
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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Individual cheesecakes with pumpkin and warm spices—creamy, portable and holiday-ready.
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Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding
A simple dairy-free chia pudding made with pumpkin purée and warming spices—ideal for breakfasts and snacks.
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Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
A make-ahead, elegant custard with pumpkin and warm spices—perfect for Thanksgiving and fall dinners.
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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Classic pumpkin spice cupcakes finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting—always a crowd-pleaser.
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Pumpkin Granola with Cranberries
Oats, pepitas, pecans and pumpkin purée come together for a crunchy, fall-flavored granola.
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Pumpkin Mousse (Without Gelatine)
A light, airy pumpkin mousse that captures pumpkin pie flavor in a gentle, make-ahead dessert.
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Pumpkin Oat Flour Muffins
One-bowl muffins made with oat flour and pumpkin purée—soft, flavorful and breakfast-ready.
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Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Minimal-prep, pumpkin-spiced overnight oats that taste like pumpkin pie—gluten-free and vegan options available.
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Fluffy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes
Hearty, fluffy pumpkin pancakes made with whole wheat—great for family breakfasts and freezer-friendly batches.
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Pumpkin Pecan Pie
A flaky crust filled with creamy pumpkin and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel—perfect for holiday tables.
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Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
All the flavor of pumpkin pie in bar form—with a press-in crust and a silky pumpkin filling for quick prep.
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Pumpkin Pie From Scratch
A classic homemade pumpkin pie with a flaky crust and spiced pumpkin filling—an essential Thanksgiving dessert.
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Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Soft, chewy pumpkin spice cookies made with brown butter and rolled in spiced sugar—perfect with coffee.
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Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake
Moist coffee cake with pumpkin and a cinnamon streusel—ideal for brunch or afternoon tea.
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Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Crisp-on-the-outside, fluffy-inside waffles flavored with pumpkin and warm spices—great for meal prep and family breakfasts.
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Sources
- Cleveland Clinic
- Medical News Today
- Old Farmer’s Almanac