40 Ways to Cook with Pumpkin for Every Meal
Pumpkin isn’t just for pie or a fall-inspired latte – it’s one of the most versatile ingredients you can cook with. Whether you're looking to whip up a savory dish for breakfast, a snack, or a hearty dinner, pumpkin has a place in every meal.
I love how it can be roasted, pureed, or even incorporated into desserts for that extra seasonal touch. With these 40 ways to cook with pumpkin for every meal, you’ll have no trouble making this ingredient a kitchen staple throughout the year. From fluffy pancakes to creamy pastas and even refreshing smoothies, there’s a recipe for everyone.
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1. Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk pumpkin, egg, milk, and butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Cook on a greased skillet over medium heat until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden.
2. Pumpkin Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
Cook oats in milk on the stovetop. Stir in pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like nuts or dried fruit.
3. Pumpkin Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup almond milk
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy as a healthy breakfast or snack.
4. Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and oil. Combine and fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Pumpkin French Toast
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 slices of bread
Instructions:
Whisk eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, and cinnamon. Dip bread slices in the mixture and cook on a greased skillet until golden brown.
6. Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cups pumpkin puree
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Heat oil in a pot and sauté onion. Add pumpkin puree, broth, and thyme. Simmer for 20 minutes. Blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
7. Pumpkin Risotto
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Heat oil and sauté onion. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes. Gradually add broth, stirring frequently. Once the rice is tender, stir in pumpkin and Parmesan.
8. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Cook macaroni and set aside. In a pot, melt butter and whisk in flour. Slowly add milk, stirring until thickened. Mix in pumpkin puree and cheese. Stir in cooked macaroni.
9. Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can black beans
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp chili powder
Instructions:
Brown beef and onion in a large pot. Add tomatoes, beans, pumpkin puree, and chili powder. Simmer for 30 minutes and serve.
10. Pumpkin Hummus
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve with pita bread or veggies.
11. Pumpkin Pasta
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Cook pasta and set aside. In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic. Stir in pumpkin puree and cream. Toss with pasta and top with Parmesan.
12. Pumpkin Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 slices of cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
Spread pumpkin puree on one slice of bread, add cheese, and top with the other slice. Butter the outside and cook in a skillet until golden brown.
13. Pumpkin Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp curry powder
Instructions:
Heat oil and sauté onion. Add coconut milk, pumpkin puree, and curry powder. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with rice.
14. Pumpkin Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced pumpkin
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Corn tortillas
- Toppings (avocado, salsa, etc.)
Instructions:
Sauté diced pumpkin in olive oil with cumin and chili powder. Fill tortillas with pumpkin mixture and add your favorite toppings.
15. Pumpkin Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 cup cubed pumpkin
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger
Instructions:
Heat oil in a wok, add pumpkin and bell pepper. Stir-fry until tender. Add soy sauce and ginger. Serve over rice or noodles.
16. Pumpkin Quesadilla
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tortilla
Instructions:
Spread pumpkin puree on a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and fold in half. Cook in a skillet until golden on both sides.
17. Pumpkin Gnocchi
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed pumpkin
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
Mix mashed pumpkin, egg, and salt. Gradually add flour until dough forms. Roll into ropes, cut into small pieces, and boil until they float.
18. Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, and wet ingredients in another. Combine and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
19. Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup evaporated milk
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, spices, eggs, and evaporated milk. Pour into the pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes. Cool before serving.
20. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:
In a saucepan, heat milk, pumpkin, sugar, and pumpkin spice until warm. Blend until frothy. Pour over brewed coffee and top with whipped cream if desired.
21. Pumpkin Risotto
Ingredients:
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Sauté onion in a pot until translucent. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes. Gradually add broth, stirring until absorbed. Stir in pumpkin and Parmesan, and season to taste.
22. Pumpkin Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup roasted pumpkin cubes
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions:
In a large bowl, toss greens, roasted pumpkin, feta, and walnuts. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and serve.
23. Pumpkin Coconut Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp curry paste
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
In a pot, combine all ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth, then serve hot.
24. Pumpkin Nachos
Ingredients:
- Tortilla chips
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup black beans
- Jalapeños (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Top with pumpkin puree, cheese, and black beans. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.
25. Pumpkin Chai Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp chai spice
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix all ingredients. Let sit for at least 4 hours or overnight. Stir well and serve chilled.
26. Pumpkin Fritters
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Heat oil in a pan, scoop mixture, and fry until golden on both sides.
27. Pumpkin Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta and stuff with ricotta and pumpkin mixture. Place in a baking dish, cover with marinara, and top with mozzarella. Bake for 25 minutes.
28. Pumpkin Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into small balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
29. Pumpkin Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes until set.
30. Pumpkin Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Pour into serving dishes and cool.
31. Pumpkin Pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 pizza dough
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup goat cheese
- Fresh herbs for topping
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread pumpkin puree on dough, top with cheeses, and herbs. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crust is golden.
32. Pumpkin Empanadas
Ingredients:
- 1 package empanada dough
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Egg wash (1 egg)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix pumpkin, sugar, and cinnamon. Fill each dough circle with the mixture, fold, and seal. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes.
33. Pumpkin Risotto Balls (Arancini)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked risotto
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
Mix risotto and pumpkin, form into balls, dip in egg, then breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
34. Pumpkin Tiramisu
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Ladyfingers
Instructions:
Mix pumpkin and mascarpone. Dip ladyfingers in coffee and layer with pumpkin mixture. Chill for several hours before serving.
35. Pumpkin Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle over your favorite salad.
36. Pumpkin Salsa
Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced pumpkin
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos.
37. Pumpkin Granola
Ingredients:
- 3 cups oats
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup nuts
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients and spread on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
38. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugars, then add pumpkin. Mix in flour and baking soda, then fold in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes.
39. Pumpkin Tofu Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 block firm tofu, cubed
- 1 cup pumpkin cubes
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ginger
Instructions:
Sauté tofu until golden. Add pumpkin and mixed vegetables, stir-frying until tender. Add soy sauce and ginger before serving.
40. Pumpkin Sorbet
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Dissolve sugar in water over heat. Combine with pumpkin and vanilla. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen.
Conclusion
Incorporating pumpkin into your meals can be both delicious and nutritious, and I hope these 40 ways to cook with pumpkin for every meal inspire you to explore its versatility. From savory soups and salads to sweet desserts and beverages, pumpkin adds a unique flavor and vibrant color to any dish.
Whether you’re enjoying a cozy pumpkin risotto or indulging in a rich pumpkin pie, there’s something for everyone to savor. Experiment with different recipes, and let your creativity flow. I can't wait to hear about the delicious pumpkin creations you come up with! Happy cooking, and may your meals be filled with the warmth and comfort that only pumpkin can bring!
