Pumpkin, in all its glory, has become so popular in American food culture that it goes hand in hand with autumn. We see it in beer, tea, coffee, and more foods than we can shake a pumpkin stalk at. Here are 26 pumpkin recipes—sweet to savory—that are so drool-worthy you might want to make them all.
1. Pumpkin-Brie Quesadillas
By combining pure pumpkin, chili powder, fresh sage, cayenne, and brie together, you take a plain quesadilla to a whole new level. And, this quesadilla is simple to make. See for yourself how perfectly these ingredients go together.
2. The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Via Averie Cooks
These rolls are soft, light, and fluffy with just enough pumpkin flavor so it’s not overwhelming. Buttermilk is key to keeping the dough tender. Mixing the brown sugar mixture into the softened butter cuts a step and guarantees even distribution as you roll the dough.
Tip: Use plain, unwaxed dental floss to slice the rolls. The floss won’t squish or compact the roll like knives do.
3. Pumpkin Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Via taste and tell
Hooray for vegetables in classic dishes—and cheese. You might be skeptical at first, especially when honey is included, but we assure you, you’ll love the depth the pumpkin brings to this mac and cheese dish with hints of ground mustard, cayenne pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg.
4. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie
Via Taste of Home
This twist on the traditional pumpkin pie has an added layer of cream cheese that pulls everything together—and it’s so quick and simple to make. You may have some extra filling left over, so consider making two pies.
5. Apple Pumpkin Soup
Via Babble
Get started with some pumpkin puree, tart apples, applesauce, and brown sugar. The tart apples mix well with the pumpkin for a flavorful soup. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook. Plan on using an immersion blender, or process batches through a blender.
6. Slow Cooker Pumpkin, Chickpea, and Red Lentil Curry
Via Kitchen Treaty
This creamy, filling, and rich dish could become a staple in your house. It’s easy to assemble and easier to cook with a Crock-Pot. The main ingredients are pumpkin puree, chickpeas, lentils, vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 5 to 6 hours.
7. No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
This simple treat is so easy to make and requires cream cheese, pumpkin puree, a sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Top it off with some minced pecans, sweetener, and cinnamon. If your mix isn’t firm enough, put it in ice cube trays and leave in the freezer for a half hour.
8. Moist Pumpkin Bread
Everyone needs to have a classic pumpkin bread recipe in their collection, and this one does not disappoint. Ingredients like pumpkin puree, oil, and sugar help keep the bread moist. The trick is to take it out of the baking pan, let it cool for 5 minutes, then wrap it in aluminum foil and let cool completely.
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9. Pumpkin Granola
You wouldn’t know how much healthier this granola is with the pumpkin, applesauce, and maple syrup binding the oats together—no butter or oil needed. You’ll get large clumpy chunks that taste good, smell good, and the kids will love it too.
10. Pumpkin, Spinach and Walnut Spaghetti
Via lazy cat kitchen
Go big and bold. After cooking the pumpkin for about 45 minutes, you’ll zip through this delicious recipe in no time; expect to be done in 15 minutes. The walnuts and lemon on top are brilliant additions.
11. Pumpkin Fudge
Via Brown eyed Baker
This is the fudge equivalent to pumpkin pie. It’s easy, foolproof, and insanely delicious with the addition of canned pumpkin, marshmallow cream, white chocolate chips, and evaporated milk.
12. Baked Parmesan Pumpkin Fries
Slice a small pie pumpkin into 1/4″ fries and soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Pat them dry and add a hint of cornstarch to help absorb the moisture. The starch also keeps them crisp. Top these fries off with cheese, parsley, and sea salt for an insanely delicious taste.
13. Pumpkin Rice Pudding
Via food network
A dessert recipe without sugar might sound bland, but that’s not the case at all with this pumpkin rice pudding treat. The spices and flavor of the pumpkin really come through. Plus, the pumpkin gives the rice a rich creamy texture. Bake ingredients for about 45 minutes then transfer to a bowl before cooling in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.
14. Savory Pumpkin Pizza
The stars of this pumpkin pizza are the pumpkin and the Havarti cheese. The combination of onion, garlic, sugar, thyme, and shallot makes this pizza crazy good. Ready-to-bake dough is a nice, easy touch.
15. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Via The Kitchn
Who knew adding pumpkin and vanilla to coffee could taste so good—even rivaling Starbucks? For this recipe it’s important to heat the pumpkin and spices together. Don’t be scared by the addition of 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract either. It only adds to the coffee’s deliciousness.
16. Pumpkin Ginger Waffles
Via Country Living
Adding pumpkin puree to the batter is a game changer, and the crystallized ginger makes this recipe pop. The rest of the ingredients are what you usually use to make waffles. Use a half a cup of batter for each one.
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17. Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus
Via pinch of yum
The addition of maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and fresh rosemary makes this hummus alternative the darling dip of autumn. It’s healthy, hearty, and tasty—and it’s the perfect snack while watching football. Serve with warm naan bread.
Tip: Simmer the garlic cloves in olive oil for 15-20 minutes over low/medium heat for a bonus garlic-infused olive oil.
18. Pumpkin Old Fashioned
Via Fairmont
Treat yo’self. This tasty alcohol beverage is made with bourbon, grand marnier, homemade pumpkin spice syrup, and a couple dashes of Angostura bitters. This is easy to make and a great way to relax after a long autumn day.
19. Cheddar Pumpkin Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
A guaranteed hit in any house, this simple sandwich is filling, cheesy, crispy and full of fiber and vitamins A and C. The recipe calls for cheddar and Swiss cheese, but we think any cheese works great. Use pure pumpkin—not puree.
Tip: Pair with some delicious tomato soup.
20. Pumpkin Lasagna
Via Real Simple
Here’s an outstanding fall recipe with rich flavor, and it’s easy to put together. Just remember to use pure pumpkin and not pumpkin puree. The nutmeg and sage really add to this dish. The Swiss chard is optional.
21. Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
Here’s the liquid form of a pumpkin pie but a whole lot healthier. It will take you less than 10 minutes to blend this delicious smoothie together with pumpkin puree, a banana, some vanilla protein powder, and almond milk.
22. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes
Via Steamy Kitchen
We think adding pumpkin to mashed potatoes is pure brilliance. What makes this tasty recipe extra good is a secret ingredient: miso paste. It might sound strange, but it adds richness and savoriness to the dish. Oh. Did we mention there’s maple syrup in this recipe, too? Bliss.
23. The BEST Pumpkin Bread with Brown Butter Maple Icing
You might think you already have the best pumpkin bread recipe on hand, but you haven’t tried this one yet. When making the BEST pumpkin bread, make sure to add milk to thin out a too-thick glaze. One word for this bread: moist.
24. Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
Via Once Upon a Chef
Even your pickiest eater will love these flavorful and moist pumpkin cornbread muffins, thanks to the added honey, pumpkin puree, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Plan on adding this one to your ‘keep forever’ recipe pile.
25. Pumpkin Rice
Via Saveur
This recipe is a twist on a Caribbean style dish. With ingredients like rice, garlic, green pepper, onion, and a calabaza—which is a large winter squash that looks like a pumpkin—you can make this meal in under 30 minutes.
26. Spicy Pumpkin and Collards
Via food network
Fill a sugar pumpkin with sautéed collard greens, onion, tomato, chili peppers, and scallions. Stir in cheese and breadcrumbs and bake until brown and crumbly. Plan on cooking this dish for about 2 hours.
BONUS: Irresistible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
Via The Krazy Coupon Lady
These babies are easy-to-make, don’t require a complicated crust, and are rich in autumn deliciousness. It just doesn’t feel like fall without these.
