Pumpkin recipes are my favorite things to make during the fall season. Whether they’re sweet or savory, a dessert or a cocktail, these easy pumpkin recipes are so fun, so easy, and so delicious. I’m so excited for pumpkin season!
Fall is here! October and November are the time for pumpkin recipes! Everyone seems to get pumpkin crazy this time of year, including myself.
Whether you’re sipping on a pumpkin spice latte, spending weekends at the pumpkin patch, or preparing the perfect pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving, I know you’ve got pumpkin on the brain too.
Table of Contents
Easy Pumpkin Recipes
I’ve shared so many easy pumpkin recipes and ideas here on the blog over the years because I just can’t get enough of it. I love pumpkin dessert recipes for a sweet treat, savory pumpkin recipes for a warm and delicious dinner, and pumpkin flavored drinks for all of the fall parties.
With all of the recipes I’m sharing with you here, you could make a new recipe almost every day for the next month! (If you take up that challenge, I salute you!)
So get into the fall holiday spirit already, start planning for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and start making all of these ASAP!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These pumpkin recipes are both sweet and savory, and include fancy desserts, baked goods, savory dishes, cocktails, and everything in between. So stock up on some basic kitchen tools (if you don’t have them already), to make sure you have what you need.
(Links are affiliate links)
- Stand-up Mixer
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
- Baking Sheet
- Cooling Rack
- Pie Plate
- Kitchen Utensils Set
- Dutch Oven
- Food Processor
Ingredients List
These are some of the typical ingredients you can expect to be using in the pumpkin recipes below.
- Pumpkin Puree (canned, or see recipe below to make your own)
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Pie Filling
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Pumpkin Whipped Cream
- Walnuts or other nuts
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
You’re going to need pumpkin puree for a lot of these easy pumpkin recipes. You can always buy a can of pumpkin puree from the store, but you can start with fresh pumpkins too. It’s so fun to pick up an actual pumpkin from the farmer’s market and then USE it to cook.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Ingredients
- 1 Pumpkin get a small "sweet" pumpkin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F & line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the stem from the pumpkin by slicing off the top portion, then cut the pumpkin in half from top to bottom.
- Scoop out the seeds and stringy parts of the pumpkin flesh.
- Sprinkle the pumpkin flesh with salt, then lay each half (flesh side down) onto the baking tray.
- Roast the pumpkin for about 30-45 minutes until tender.
- Leave the pumpkin on the baking sheet, and place that on a cooling rack to cool for 1 hour.
- Remove the pumpkin flesh from the skin and place it in a food processor, and puree until the mixture is completely smooth.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
What can I cook with fresh pumpkin?
Most people are used to baking pumpkin recipes by using a pre-made pumpkin puree. So how do you cook with an actual pumpkin?
The good news is that you can take a fresh pumpkin and make your own puree to use in all of your dishes. Just choose smaller, “sugar” pumpkin varieties that are intended for eating, rather than the large pumpkins you get at the pumpkin patch. While you can eat those big ole’ pumpkins, they’re usually not as sweet and flavorful.
Check the recipe card above to find out how to make pumpkin puree.
Or you can cut your pumpkin in half and bake it the same way you would bake other winter squash varieties (like butternut squash).
Is pumpkin healthy?
Yes! Eating pumpkin has a lot of health benefits. It might get lost in some of the sugar-filled desserts, but pumpkin is actually really good for you, with nutritional benefits similar to other types of squash.
- It’s high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene.
- Pumpkin is also nutrient-rich while being low in calories, so fresh roasted pumpkin would be a great thing to eat to aid in weight loss.
Now I know we’re all eating the sweet pumpkin recipes around here, so the healthy benefits are a little different than eating straight up pumpkin. But let’s just focus on the healthy part, okay?
What goes with pumpkin?
Pumpkin recipes tend to fall on two very different sides of the flavor coin: they’re either sweet desserts and drinks, or they’re savory dishes.
On the sweet side, pumpkin pairs well with chocolate, caramel, cream, cranberries, cinnamon, pecans, maple syrup, and all kinds of stuff.
On the more savory side, pumpkin dishes are the perfect place to add in things like sage, cilantro, rosemary, bacon, butternut squash, and cheese.
You can really do a lot more than you think with pumpkin!
What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?
While many people assume pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are interchangeable, they are not!
- Canned pumpkin, which is typically just pumpkin puree, is exactly that. Pumpkin is mashed up and pureed without seasoning or spices added to it, so it’s just pure pumpkin (and pure pumpkin flavor).
- Pumpkin pie filling already has spices in it, so it’s ready to use to make pumpkin pie and other desserts. It’s sweetened and has things like cinnamon, allspice, and more in it.
So be sure you pay attention to which one you’re picking up at the grocery store, because it can make a big difference in your recipe. A quick check of the ingredients will make it clear what you’re getting.
How do I roast pumpkin seeds?
If you’re digging out your pumpkins to make those jack o’lanterns, don’t throw out the seeds. You can roast pumpkin seeds for a tasty and healthy snack!
They’re easy to make, and you can change up the flavor too. Keep it simple by baking them in olive oil and sea salt, or make a sweeter version by baking them in sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
How to roast pumpkin seeds:
- Toss and coat them in your chosen seasonings
- Lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Check this post to get a sweeter recipe.
Easy Pumpkin Recipes
And now for all the easy recipes you came for! We’ve got sweet pumpkin and savory pumpkin. Desserts, drinks, and dinner. Here are all the pumpkin recipes you should make this fall season!
I hope you love all of these delicious pumpkin recipes as much as I do. I’ll be remaking my favorites, and of course coming up with new recipes too. I’d love for you to share your favorites with me as well!
love these recipes
Thank you, Jennifer!!
Truly impressed with your collection ! Thank you !
This looks amazing! I will definately give it a try!
I hope I will manage as I am not a great cook!
Such a wonderful collection of recipes!!
Thanks so much Ami!
What a fantastic list! That bread pudding…oh my!
Oh I know..it looks SOO amazing!
Thanks so much for including my Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites and Pumpkin Brûlées! This has to be one of my favorite round-up themes of all time. I can’t get enough of pumpkin season, and for me, it actually extends all the way throughout the entire year! ;)
Of course! I love your recipe ideas and photos! Gorgeous.