Best Pumpkin Recipes & Fresh Pumpkin Ideas | Cooking Light

1210 Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Photo: Randy Mayor

Our best pumpkin recipes include pumpkin dips, pumpkin pie puddings, pumpkin pie cakes, pumpkin ravioli, and more, proving that you can enjoy amazing pumpkin flavor for every course of your fall feast.

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Whole Stuffed Roasted Pumpkin

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Whole Stuffed Roasted Pumpkin

In this recipe, pumpkin plays a triple role: cooking vessel, serving bowl, and part of the meal itself. Choose a Long Island Cheese pumpkin for its creamy flesh or a Cinderella pumpkin. The hearty stew simmers inside the pumpkin while the flesh cooks and softens. Berbere, a peppery Ethiopian spice blend, richly seasons the pumpkin and stew. Find it at specialty markets or online at penzeys.com.

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Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes

Ginger, cinnamon, and allspice make a welcomed appearance in these golden cakes, and whole-grain corn flour gives them a cakier texture and added fiber. Serve with warmed apples and fresh cream for a comforting morning meal.

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Muffin-Tin Pumpkin-and-Pear Stratas

Photo: Greg Dupree

View Recipe: Muffin-Tin Pumpkin-and-Pear Stratas

Here's a nifty way to make individual casserole portions. Nectar-sweet pears, earthy pumpkin, and tart cranberries are a wonderfully balanced combination of fall flavors. Bosc or Anjou pears will also work here, as long as they're ripe. Your bare hands do the best job of mixing the bread into the egg.

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Pumpkin Spice Fudge

Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Fudge

We turned the classic pumpkin pie (and the trendiest of fall spice blends) into a tasty confection. Fudge doesn't require the tempering, rolling, and shaping of other made-from-scratch candies. If you don't have a candy thermometer, do the cold water test: Drop a small amount of the cooked sugar mixture in cold water. If it forms a soft ball, the mixture is ready for pouring into the prepared pan.

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Pumpkin-Spice Muffins

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Spice Muffins

The onset of autumn is worth celebrating, so why not make a huge batch of mulled apple cider and serve it with these spiced pumpkin muffins? The pumpkin adds gorgeous color, flavor, and moisture as well as fiber, vitamin A, and potassium.

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Pumpkin-Praline Pie

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Praline Pie

If you can’t decide between pecan and pumpkin pie, this dessert will give you a taste of both in one slice. A quick brown sugar–pecan streusel tops the pie after it bakes; the topping will set into a crunchy layer as the pie cools. Be sure to use a standard 9-inch pie plate rather than a deep-dish one to ensure an evenly baked crust.

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White Bean and Pumpkin Hummus With Pita Chips

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: White Bean and Pumpkin Hummus With Pita Chips

If you think you've seen pumpkin spice in every food, think again. This lightly sweet and smoky take on hummus is the perfect snack or a fitting starter for any autumn gathering. Without being overly sweet, this festive dip is the perfect addition to your next Halloween or fall-inspired spread.

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Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Sara Tane

View Recipe: Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Greek yogurt and cream cheese come together to create that same, luscious texture of your favorite store-bought frozen yogurt. With a seasonal pumpkin flare, this low calorie dessert is just the treat that you'll want to cozy up to on a crisp fall night. Top with nuts, cinnamon, and dark chocolate for an extra kick that blends beautifully with the flavors of pumpkin spice. If you are not planning on serving immediately, keep it in the fridge and then throw it in the freezer 1 to 2 hours before you are ready to serve it.

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Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

Katherine Flynn

View Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

These bite-sized snacks pack in everything you love about pumpkin spice with natural warm flavors and fresh pumpkin puree. Don't stress making a pumpkin pie and save on the calories with these energy bites. Enjoy these as a grab-and-go breakfast or snack all throughout fall.

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Roasted Pumpkin Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Pie

By roasting the pumpkin whole, you avoid cutting it open and scooping out the seeds and membrane. If you'd like, serve pie with a dollop of lightly sweetened 2% reduced-fat yogurt.

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Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Bundt

The earliest ways of preparing pumpkin were savory, but sweetened recipes, like the first pumpkin pies—baked in the pumpkin shell rather than in a pie crust. We've come a long way since then. In this recipe, we mix pumpkin with bittersweet chocolate for a flavor that is decidedly fall and perfect for seasonal entertaining. (We think it's great for breakfast too!)

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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Photo: Johnny Miller

View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

A few easy additions to store-bought ice cream create a custom flavor that simply tastes like Thanksgiving.

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Classic Pumpkin Pie

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Classic Pumpkin Pie

Refrigerated pie dough makes this classic pumpkin pie recipe simple to prepare. Bake the pie on a baking sheet in the lower third of the oven to encourage a crisp crust.

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3-Ingredient Pumpkin Pancakes

Photo: Rebecca Longshore

View Recipe: 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Pancakes

'Tis the season to whip up pumpkin-spiced everything including these delicious pancakes. With just 3 ingredients and a sprinkle of spice for flavor, you'll have an aromatic fall treat that's ready in a flash!

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Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

Sara Tane

View Recipe: Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

Call us basic, but warm, foamy pumpkin spice latte is just the beverage that we're craving during the fall months. Here, we made a pumpkin spice simple syrup that you can make with easy, at-home ingredients and none of those preservatives that you'll find in your PSL from Starbucks. Strong brewed coffee and whisked milk allow you to mimic the flavors of a latte without any of the heavy-duty cafe equipment. Make a batch of the seasonal syrup and add it to your cup of joe in the morning throughout the week, or make all the lattes at once for a cozy morning with friends.

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Sugar Pumpkin Custards With Graham Crumble

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Sugar Pumpkin Custards With Graham Crumble

These sweet custards are the perfect ending for an autumn dinner party.

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Pumpkin Soup Three Ways

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Chipotle-Spiced Pumpkin Soup

Even without the added cream, pumpkin soup takes on a velvety texture after it's simmered and pureed. Make sure all the ingredients are very tender so they'll blend together smoothly. We start with a base recipe, then tweak it to create 2 more soups, each with a different flavor makeup. Simple toppings like salty-sweet pepitas or chorizo make them a little more special. For a fun, no-fuss garnish, top any of the soups with 2 tablespoons popped popcorn. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper, if desired.

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Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These autumn-themed bars incorporate potato starch, a neutral-flavored, gluten-free starch that mixes well with other gluten-free flours. Toast the pecan halves to add extra toasty nuttiness.

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Fettuccine With Pumpkin Sauce

Photo: Jason Wallis

View Recipe: Fettuccine With Pumpkin Sauce

Pair this seasonal dish with a quick fall salad: Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon honey in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 sliced apple, and 2 tablespoons pumpkinseeds; toss.

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Red Lentil-Pumpkin Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Red Lentil-Pumpkin Soup

The hearty crunch of pumpkinseed adds wonderful contrast and texture to this rich, creamy soup. And when paired with a slice of sourdough bread, it’s a complete, filling meal in just under 30 minutes.

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Mini Avocado Toasts With Pumpkin Seeds

Photo: Rachel Johnson

View Recipe: Mini Avocado Toasts With Pumpkin Seeds

Avocado toast will never go out of style. Paired with salty, crunchy pumpkin seeds, you'll be in snack heaven after one bite. These adorable toasts all make for the perfect entertaining snack, and they're super simple to put together. Make sure to keep a close eye if you're toasting the pumpkin seeds, as they can easily burn.

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Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole

This oven-baked side couples the earthiness of poblanos with the sweetness of red bell peppers. Combine those with rich pumpkin and you have a new fall-weather classic you'll make time and again.

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Roasted Kabocha and Kale Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Roasted Kabocha and Kale Salad

Kobocha squash, also known as Japanese pumpkin, is the sweeter cousin of the pumpkin. The vivid orange flesh of this winter squash is tender and rich, with a flavor reminiscent of a sweet potato. While the shell is very hard when raw, it becomes very tender when cooked, making peeling optional. It's wonderful here, dressed with olive oil, coriander seeds, pepper, and salt.

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Orange, Pumpkin Seed, and Smoked Almond Granola

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Orange, Pumpkin Seed, and Smoked Almond Granola

Make a double batch and divide it in two. Serve with yogurt, and you have a super easy breakfast for Sunday. Even better, Monday morning breakfast is good to go.

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Variation 2: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Celebrate the best of fall flavor with this creamy pumpkin pie. This version of the classic Thanksgiving pie is a fluffier, less dense version of the original, so it's perfect for serving at holiday gatherings when you want a crowd-pleaser.

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Pumpkin Pie Shake

Howard Puckett

View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Shake

This quick and easy dessert may remind you of another holiday classic. Allison writes, “My family thought they were drinking pumpkin pie. We will make it again.”

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Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

Perfect for a dinner party, this dish can be made in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready. Reviewer Kara suggests using rice paper wrappers. “They’re considerably larger [than wonton wrappers]. I can't tell you how much time this saves. It only takes me about 15 minutes to make this dish, which is one of the reasons I love it.”

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Pumpkin-Walnut Focaccia With Gruyere

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Walnut Focaccia With Gruyere

This Italian classic reaches new heights with the addition of nutty Gruyére and sweet pumpkin. Not an experienced baker? Take comfort from the words of fellow novice terribly73: “This is the first time I have made a bread from scratch, and it turned out perfectly. It’s delicious plain with just a little butter. Perfect!”

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Pumpkin Pie Cake

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake

Tired of pumpking pie every year? Shake things up and opt for this snazzy cake. Reviewer Rachel Elma reports, “Outstanding! Super moist, great flavor, and looks so pretty when done. This will be a holiday season regular for my home.”

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Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread

Readers loved this bread and found it perfect for gift-giving or making ahead. (It keeps for two months in the freezer; wrap it in plastic wrap first.) "This is the most amazing bread ever," says hkristinr "I've made it countless times now and given it as gifts, especially to my pregnant friends, and they LOVE it. Well, EVERYONE loves it!!!"

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Vanilla-Bourbon Pumpkin Tart

Photo: Ellen Silverman

View Recipe: Vanilla-Bourbon Pumpkin Tart

Graham crackers and pecans encrust the spirited, spiced filling. Dollop each serving with sweetened whipped cream.

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Ginger Pumpkin Pie With Toasted Coconut

Photo: Charles Masters

View Recipe: Ginger Pumpkin Pie With Toasted Coconut

Ginger and coconut add warm, flavorful accents to this fall classic. If you'd like a dollop of something creamy, top with fat-free whipped topping.

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Pumpkin-Almond Cheesecake

Photo: Levi Brown

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Almond Cheesecake

A deliciously dense almond cake rests underneath the cheesy spiced pumpkin layer. Almond brittle adds a spectacular finishing touch.

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Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Photo: Jonny Valiant

View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Pudding

We took the best part of the classic fall pie and stuck it in a glass for a perfectly-portioned treat. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped walnuts.

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Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Vegetable shortening gives this piecrust—which we've deemed our best ever—a delicious, flaky texture. Be sure to read the nutrition labels and buy a brand with no trans fats though.

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Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte

Photo: Ellen Silverman

View Recipe: Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte

Here’s the secret: You can make this pumpkin torte well ahead and freeze it. The sauce is jarred. The cook will be celebrated.

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Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Bread

Photo: Beau Gustafson

View Recipe: Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Bread

This much-loved recipe was the subject of a recipe makeover that earned rave reviews. With a few low-fat baking tricks, our healthy pumpkin bread recipe shaved 33 percent of the calories and more than half the fat from the original recipe.

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Creamy Pumpkin-Red Pepper Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin-Red Pepper Soup

The soup can be topped with a variety of things: We love Parmigiano-Reggiano and rosemary, but savory sprinkles like chopped smoked almonds or toasted pecans would be lovely. This tastes even better the next day...or the day after.

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43 Perfect Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

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Whole Stuffed Roasted Pumpkin

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Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes

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Muffin-Tin Pumpkin-and-Pear Stratas

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Pumpkin Spice Fudge

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Pumpkin-Spice Muffins

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Pumpkin-Praline Pie

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White Bean and Pumpkin Hummus With Pita Chips

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Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

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Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

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Roasted Pumpkin Pie

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Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Bundt

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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

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Classic Pumpkin Pie

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3-Ingredient Pumpkin Pancakes

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Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

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Sugar Pumpkin Custards With Graham Crumble

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Pumpkin Soup Three Ways

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Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

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Fettuccine With Pumpkin Sauce

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Red Lentil-Pumpkin Soup

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Mini Avocado Toasts With Pumpkin Seeds

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Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole

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Roasted Kabocha and Kale Salad

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Orange, Pumpkin Seed, and Smoked Almond Granola

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Variation 2: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

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Pumpkin Pie Shake

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