Wondering what to do with that can of pumpkin purée sitting in your pantry? These 10 pumpkin recipes are cozy, easy, and perfect for every fall mood—from sweet treats to comforting mains.
Table of Contents
- 10 Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
- Tips for Baking & Cooking with Pumpkin
- Final Thoughts
- Connect with Me
There’s something magical that happens when the calendar flips to September: suddenly we’re all reaching for sweaters, lighting a candle that smells vaguely like a forest, and—naturally—stocking up on all things pumpkin.
As a food and lifestyle expert (and someone who believes that cooking should be both beautiful and practical), I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite pumpkin recipes that I love making as soon as the leaves start to turn. Whether you’re craving a cozy pumpkin bread recipe, a warm and satisfying creamy pumpkin pasta, or a fun twist on dessert (hello, pumpkin crème brûlée), this list has you covered.
These recipes are all made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients (mostly pantry staples—yes, canned pumpkin is your BFF), and most are designed to be make-ahead-friendly, freezer-friendly, or totally fuss-free. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, high-protein meals, or just something sweet and spiced to enjoy with a coffee, there’s something here you’ll love.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
10 Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
1. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
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Soft, chewy, and packed with cozy fall flavors, these pumpkin oatmeal cookies are like the lovechild of oatmeal cookie and pumpkin pie. Made with rolled oats and warm pie spice, they’re a wholesome-ish treat you’ll want on repeat all season. Bonus: they freeze beautifully.
2. Easy Pumpkin and Lentil Soup
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This cozy bowl is the perfect way to sneak in extra protein without sacrificing any of that creamy, comforting pumpkin goodness. A great vegetarian-friendly meal that’s ideal for batch cooking. Just add crusty bread and you’ve got dinner.
3. Pumpkin Spice Bread
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If you only bake one thing this fall, let it be this. This quick bread is moist, warmly spiced, and makes your kitchen smell like a bakery. Made with canned pumpkin, it’s the ultimate slice, toast, slather with butter situation.
4. Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée
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A fall twist on the classic French dessert. This version swaps in pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice for a dreamy flavor combo. Fancy enough to impress, easy enough to make ahead. And yes, you can use your broiler if you don’t have a torch!
5. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
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Two words: pillowy soft. These pumpkin cookies are coated in cinnamon sugar for that classic snickerdoodle vibe, but with a fall-forward twist. They’re a guaranteed crowd-ple7. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
6. Healthy Banana Pumpkin Bread
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When you can’t choose between banana bread and pumpkin bread, you don’t have to. This recipe is a mashup of both, sweetened naturally with ripe bananas and perfect for breakfast or snack time.
7. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
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Made with pantry staples like pumpkin purée, garlic, and cream, this creamy pumpkin pasta is rich, cozy, and done in under 20 minutes. It’s a go-to weeknight meal that feels restaurant-worthy—try it with fettuccine, rigatoni, or even gnocchi!
8. Pumpkin & Sausage Pasta Bake
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This is fall comfort food at its best: creamy pumpkin, spicy sausage, cheese, pasta—all baked together in one dish. Make it ahead for busy nights or serve it up when you want a cozy meal to impress. It’s a hit every single time.
9. Pumpkin Walnut & Chocolate Chip Muffins
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Moist, chocolatey, and topped with crunchy walnuts, these muffins are perfect for quick breakfasts or afternoon snacks. The combo of pumpkin chocolate chip never fails, and the texture is bakery-level good.
10. Pumpkin Walnut and Cranberry Cake
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This cake has a soft, spiced crumb, bursts of tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts in every bite. It’s not too sweet, making it the perfect companion for your afternoon cup of tea or coffee. Top it with a dusting of powdered sugar for a picture-perfect finish.
Tips for Baking & Cooking with Pumpkin
Whether you’re using canned pumpkin or making your own pumpkin purée, here are a few tips:
- Always double-check that you’re using pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Pumpkin pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—keep some pumpkin pie spice on hand.
- Most pumpkin recipes can be frozen once baked—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- For savory dishes, balance the sweetness of pumpkin with herbs like sage, thyme, or even a splash of balsamic.
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin season doesn’t have to be all about pies (although no shade to a good pumpkin pie). These recipes show how versatile, affordable, and delicious pumpkin can be—whether you’re baking up sweet treats or creating comforting fall dinners.
As a recipe developer and lifestyle expert who’s always thinking about how to make seasonal cooking simple and special, I hope this roundup inspires you to fully embrace fall—one spoonful of pumpkin at a time.
Happy baking, happy cooking, and happy cozy season.
Connect with Me
For more delicious and easy recipes, follow me on Instagram and join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
