20 Seasonal Recipes That Start With Canned Pumpkin Puree (2024)

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie

Pumpkin Pasta

This baked and bubbly pasta dish is hiding a secret: it’s pretty darn healthy! The recipe features leafy green kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced almonds. Canned pumpkin makes the dish creamy without adding any dairy, making this pasta accidentally vegan.

Five-Spice Pumpkin Pie With Phyllo Crust

Switch up your pumpkin pie routine this year with this five-spice version. The Chinese spice blend adds new layers of flavor to the custard filling—it’ll keep your friends and family guessing. Using layers of crisp, buttery phyllo dough is a fun spin on traditional pie crust.

Penne With Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

Canned pumpkin puree and Parmesan cheese make luscious pasta sauce even more creamy and delicious. The pumpkin adds a hint of sweetness to this perfectly al dente pasta, which is topped with crispy bits of fried rosemary.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies With Cream-Cheese Filling

Pumpkin puree contributes to the soft, cakey texture of these whoopie pies. Each individual cake is sandwiched with a silky smooth cream cheese frosting, which cuts the sweetness and adds a burst of flavor to each bite. Don’t be surprised if you make your way through two or more of these pies.

Pumpkin-Chocolate Tiramisu

Pumpkin puree adds a little something special to this espresso-laced Italian dessert. A pumpkin mascarpone hides among layers of chocolate-soaked ladyfinger cookies before being dusted with a combination of cocoa powder and spicy cinnamon. This tiramisu can be eaten the same day it’s made, but we recommend making it the day before so the flavors have time to meld.

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Ice cream is a year-round necessity in our opinion. This homemade ice cream has a true pumpkin flavor and is as delightfully orange as the season demands. We like to serve it by the scoop with a drizzle of caramel and candied pumpkin slices.

Gluten-Free Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Almonds and crispy rice cereal make the crumbly crust for this gluten-free pie. We use canned pumpkin in the custard filling and plenty of warming spices to bring out the sweet squash flavor.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding With Dulce de Leche

This decadent bread pudding is perfect for dessert or a festive holiday brunch. A whole can of pumpkin puree flavors the creamy custard that’s lightly spiced with cinnamon and anise seed. Stale bread really is the way to go—it’ll slowly soak up all of the custard and become soft and light as it bakes. Take it up a notch by drizzling the top with sticky homemade dulce de leche sauce.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Whip up a short stack with just a few tablespoons of leftover pumpkin puree. This standard batter has a hint of spice and makes for the fluffiest pancakes. Stir some cinnamon sugar into softened butter to spread over the top if you want something extra special.

Pumpkin Smoothie

This good-for-you smoothie pairs bananas and ginger with the sweet and savory flavor of canned pumpkin. It’s a sippable treat that you can enjoy with no guilt whatsoever, and it’s perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.

Pumpkin Cornbread

These crumbly cornbread muffins are a great addition to any dinner this time of year, even the Thanksgiving table! Both pumpkin puree and buttermilk keep them moist and tender, while molasses adds a hint of sweetness. Serve them warm with softened butter for spreading.

Pumpkin Spice Cake With Honey Frosting

Each bite of this cake is reminiscent of the beloved pumpkin spice latte. Warming spices and smooth pumpkin create a flavorful cake, and the honey-infused cream cheese frosting is just sweet enough.

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Cookies

The chocolate doesn’t overpower the pumpkin flavor in these cookies. They’re perfect for the Thanksgiving table or a pumpkin carving party—give the little ones a few spoons and let them drizzle chocolate to their heart’s content.

Pumpkin Flan

This pumpkin flan is an autumnal twist on the classic custard dessert. Its pure pumpkin flavor comes through in every spoonful. The flan is as creamy as can be on its own, but a dollop or two of whipped cream won’t hurt anyone.

Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

Pumpkin puree isn’t just for pie and other sweet treats. A generous smear of leftover pumpkin is just the thing to take grilled cheese to the next level—pair it with tangy Dijon mustard, nutty white cheddar cheese, and a few fresh sage leaves.

Pumpkin Cornmeal Doughnuts

Pumpkin and ground cornmeal add two lovely different textures and flavors to these deep-fried treats. Toss them in confectioners’ sugar or cinnamon sugar to drill home the sweet autumnal flavor. These festive doughnuts and doughnut holes are just begging to be dipped into a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

These donuts are one of our favorite fall party tricks: pipe the dough into donut pans and watch them rise just like cupcakes. They are deceptively delicious, despite being baked, and each donut is sprinkled with spiced pepita sugar.

Pumpkin Pie

Canned pumpkin puree is an easy shortcut to take when making pumpkin pie. This filling is spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Make a flaky homemade pie crust or use your favorite store-bought dough.

Pumpkin Spread

Leftover pumpkin puree can be mixed into a maple-sweetened compound butter. Spread it over toasted bread, waffles, pancakes, biscuits, and more.

Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies

Bittersweet chocolate is added to half of the batter, while seasonal pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg are stirred into the other half. Both batters are swirled together in the pan before baking, so each bite you take will have a little bit of each flavor.