35+ Pumpkin Recipes (+Produce Guide)
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Pumpkin is good for so much more than pie! This pumpkin produce guide covers everything you need to know about choosing, storing and cooking fresh pumpkin, plus 35+ sweet and savory pumpkin recipes to enjoy all season long.
Pumpkin season is one of my favorite parts of fall. While canned pumpkin is incredibly convenient for baking, fresh pumpkin has a naturally sweet flavor and silky texture that makes soups, risotto, chili and other savory recipes even better.
And cooking with fresh pumpkin is easier than you may think. The key is choosing the right variety — those big carving pumpkins aren’t necessarily the ones you want in your kitchen!
In this guide, I’ll cover some of the best pumpkin varieties for cooking and baking, how to choose and store them, and my favorite ways to prepare fresh pumpkin. You’ll also find links to my step-by-step guides for cutting and roasting pumpkin when you need them.
Of course, sometimes you just want to open a can of pumpkin purée and call it a day. I’ve included plenty of recipes for that too. You’ll find over 35 pumpkin recipes below, including cozy soups and dinners, breakfast recipes and plenty of pumpkin desserts.
Whether you’re starting with a whole pumpkin or a can of purée, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to put it to use this fall.
Pumpkin Varieties for Cooking and Baking
Not all pumpkins are created equal when it comes to cooking. Large field pumpkins are great for carving, but smaller varieties generally have sweeter flavor and a smoother, less watery texture.
Pro tip: Skip large carving pumpkins when possible. They’re edible, but the flesh tends to be more watery and less flavorful than varieties grown specifically for cooking.
Some of the best varieties for cooking and baking include:
- Sugar or pie pumpkins: These small orange pumpkins have sweet, smooth flesh that’s ideal for homemade pumpkin purée, soups and baked goods.
- Cinderella pumpkins: These beautiful, deeply ribbed pumpkins have mildly sweet flesh that works well for roasting, soups and purée.
- Red kuri squash: Technically a winter squash, red kuri has rich, sweet flesh with a slightly nutty flavor. It’s wonderful roasted or blended into soups and purées.
- Kabocha squash: Kabocha has dense, naturally sweet flesh and a rich flavor. It’s one of my favorites for roasting, soups and curries.
- Fairytale pumpkins: These deeply ribbed pumpkins have dense, flavorful flesh that can be roasted, puréed or added to savory dishes.
How to Choose and Store Pumpkin
- Look for pumpkins that feel heavy for their size with firm skin that’s free of soft spots, cracks or bruises. The stem should be firmly attached, and avoid picking a pumpkin up by the stem as it can break off.
- Whole pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once cut, wrap the pumpkin tightly or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it.
- Cooked pumpkin and pumpkin purée may also be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.
How to Cook Fresh Pumpkin
Fresh pumpkin can be roasted in halves and puréed for soups, baked goods and other recipes, or it can be peeled and cut into cubes for roasting, curries and more.
- If you’ve never worked with a whole pumpkin before, my how to cut a pumpkin guide walks you through the easiest way to safely break it down.
- Check out my roasted pumpkin recipe to easily incorporate fresh pumpkin in your recipes or make my homemade pumpkin puree.
Fresh Pumpkin vs. Canned Pumpkin
Fresh pumpkin and canned pumpkin purée can often be used interchangeably, but there are a few differences to keep in mind.
- Canned pumpkin is thick and consistent, which makes it especially convenient for baking. Homemade pumpkin purée has a fresher flavor and silky texture, but its moisture content can vary depending on the pumpkin variety.
- If your homemade purée seems watery, strain off some of the excess liquid before using it in baked goods.
- For savory dishes like soup, chili, curry and risotto, I especially love using fresh pumpkin because its flavor really comes through.
- Important: Be sure to use pure canned pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sugar and spices.
Savory Pumpkin Recipes
The recipes below includes several delicious savory pumpkin dinner recipes, snack ideas and more!
Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells are a fantastic make-ahead meal! Be organised for dinner and enjoy this delicious, flavour-packed dish!
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Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin Chili is rich and hearty with ground turkey, pumpkin, black beans and plenty of spice! It's the perfect fall meal prep dinner and it's freezer friendly!
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Amazing Roast Pumpkin Feta Salad (With Chorizo)
Roasted pumpkin, tangy chorizo & feta cheese & toasted pine nuts – with salad and a delicious vinaigrette. This warm Roast Pumpkin Salad With Feta And Chorizo is a perfect balance of flavours!
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Easy Pumpkin No Knead Bread
This delicious Pumpkin No Knead Bread looks like you’ve been slaving in the kitchen for hours but really is so easy to make and a treat to eat!
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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Combine a few ingredients with pumpkin puree to make an easy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce. Serve it over fettuccine, penne, spaghetti or any of your favorite noodles for a creamy and delicious meal!
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Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup (1 Pot + Vegan)
Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup cooks in a single pot and carries deep flavor notes of Thai curry, coconut, and pumpkin. Vegan, gluten free, and easy to make.
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Pumpkin Rigatoni with Crispy Sage (Pumpkin Alfredo)
This creamy pumpkin pasta is a cozy Fall twist on a comfort classic. Perfect for a chilly evening at home or special gatherings with friends.
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Pumpkin Risotto
Pumpkin Risotto is creamy and comforting with sweet roasted pumpkin, fresh thyme and smoky bacon. Use canned pumpkin puree as a timesaver and make it vegetarian with one simple swap!
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Roasted Pumpkin (Whole Roasted and Cubes!)
Roasted Pumpkin is tender, velvety and with a fresh flavor that will elevate any dish from soups, risotto and desserts! This easy tutorial covers how to roast pumpkin halves and cubes!
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How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Learn How to Make Pumpkin Purée with my easy tips! It's velvety smooth with a delicious fresh flavor, and it is freezer-friendly!
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Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup
Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup is velvety smooth with rich roasted flavor and the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It's a cozy, creamy fall soup with a hint of spice that's naturally vegan and perfect for meal prep or holiday entertaining.
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
These Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are crunchy and irresistible! They're great tossed in salads, they make a healthy snack, and they keep for up to 2 weeks!
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Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken
Thai Pumpkin Curry is packed with tender chunks of chicken, pumpkin and veggies in a creamy flavorful coconut red curry sauce! It's an easy weeknight dinner that's great for meal prep and it's freezer friendly!
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Sweet Pumpkin Recipes
There’s nothing like sweet pumpkin recipes to enjoy for a delicious fall breakfast or dessert!
Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread
Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread is a blend of almond flour and oat flour, which gives this bread a moist, amazing texture. It has minimal oil, no refined sugar, and it comes together in one bowl!
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Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
Pumpkin Pie Bars deliver everything you love about pumpkin pie without the effort! It includes a press-in shortbread crust, a luscious pumpkin filling, and it takes just 15 minutes of prep!
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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
This Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe is the ultimate fall dessert! They're creamy and delicious with plenty of pumpkin and the warm flavor of pumpkin spice. This mini dessert is easy to make and it's perfect for the holidays!
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Pumpkin Butter Recipe – Fresh Off The Grid
Rich and velvety homemade pumpkin butter is easy to make and so delicious on toast, pancakes, biscuits, and more. Just 6 ingredients!
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Spiced Chai Pumpkin Pie
This Spiced Chai Pumpkin Pie is a delicious twist on the classic! It's complete with a flaky pie crust and a creamy pumpkin filling packed with the flavors of maple and warm chai spices. It's the perfect Thanksgiving dessert and it can be made entirely in advance!
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Pumpkin Cake (with cream cheese frosting!) – Live Well Bake Often
This pumpkin cake is easy to make, soft, super moist, and topped with an easy homemade cream cheese frosting. The perfect dessert for fall!
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Fluffy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes
Fluffy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes are hearty, wholesome and packed with fall flavor! They're ultra fluffy, so easy to make and are freezer friendly!
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Easy Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding Recipe – Savory Spin
Creamy and so tasty, this 6-ingredient, dairy-free, Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding recipe is an easy one to make.
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Pumpkin Oat Flour Muffins
These Pumpkin Oat Flour Muffins are soft, fluffy and packed with cozy pumpkin spice flavor. Made with oat flour, pumpkin puree and warm spices, they're an easy one-bowl breakfast or snack that's perfect for fall!
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Recipe For Pumpkin Creme Brûlée – Foxes Love Lemons
Pumpkin Creme Brulee is a rich, creamy pumpkin pie alternative w/ warm spices + crackly sugar topping. A make-ahead dessert for Thanksgiving!
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Pumpkin Spice Protein Granola
This Pumpkin Granola with Protein includes real pumpkin puree, plenty of cozy pumpkin spice and protein powder for a protein boost! It's wholesome, delicious and makes a great make ahead fall breakfast!
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Pumpkin Mousse (Without Gelatine) – The Baked Collective
This easy homemade pumpkin mousse is a gorgeous treat after a fall feast! It’s a light, fluffy option when you’re craving pumpkin pie flavour.
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Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Pumpkin Overnight Oats taste like pumpkin pie! They're an easy gluten free, vegan breakfast that takes only 5 minutes of prep and 6 ingredients!
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie includes a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy, decadent pumpkin cheesecake filling and warm pumpkin spice flavor. It's so much easier than classic cheesecake because there's no water bath necessary and it bakes up in a fraction of the time!
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Pumpkin Spice Waffles
These Pumpkin Spice Waffles are the perfect fall breakfast! The waffles are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and are made with whole grain oat flour and plenty of pumpkin spice. They're dairy and gluten-free and great for meal prep!
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Pumpkin Pie From Scratch
Learn how to make pumpkin pie from scratch with only a few simple ingredients!. This homemade pumpkin pie has a flaky pie crust, luscious pumpkin filling and plenty of pumpkin pie spice for the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert.
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Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies are packed with wholesome, real food ingredients and plenty of cozy pumpkin spice flavor!
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