40 Easy Pumpkin Recipes Full of Fall Flavor

By Southern Living
Photo: Jim Franco

Pumpkin may be a classic fall vegetable, but with these pumpkin recipes you can enjoy its fabulous flavor year-round. While people usually think of pumpkin pie—and you can enjoy Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever, which is one of our canned pumpkin recipes—these recipes also show you how delicious pumpkin can be in a soup, in bread, as a tart, or in many other scrumptious ways. Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup, Pecan-Pumpkin Bread, and Pumpkin-and-Turnip Green Lasagna are all pumpkin recipes that can bring the deliciousness of pumpkin to the table. Canned pumpkin recipes like Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Avocado Cream make it even easier to have pumpkin for lunch or dinner. So enjoy our best pumpkin recipes and let the sweet—or savory—taste of pumpkin be a part of every season. 

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Our Best Pumpkin Recipes to Try Right Now

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Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

One look at this autumnal casserole and you’ll be ready to dive right in. The crispy topping of breadcrumbs, parsley, and thyme (all coated in butter, of course) takes it over the edge.

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Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Less cake, more muffin—that’s the winning formula we used for this take on one of fall’s finest treats.

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Southern Pumpkin Pie

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Southern Pumpkin Pie by Back in the Day Bakery

This old-fashioned pumpkin pie bye Back in the Day Bakery is the ultimate holiday dessert. Its richly spiced filling and tender yet crisp crust is sure to earn you a round of applause.

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Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These cookies utilize both actual pumpkin and pumpkin spice to achieve the perfect balance of flavor.

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Pumpkin-Coconut Curry

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-Coconut Curry

When you think of fall flavor, we bet curry isn’t at top of mind. Give this autumnal take a try and it soon will be.

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Pumpkin Dump Cake

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Only 10 minutes of active time is needed for this incredibly easy approach to the classic pumpkin cake.

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Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

Creamy goat cheese, a tangy apple cider dressing, and melt-in-your-mouth roasted pumpkin make this salad our seasonal MVP.

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Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This mess-free recipe is made in a springform pan, which is sure to cut your clean-up in half. 

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Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Avocado Cream

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Avocado Cream

If you don't have any buttermilk on hand for the avocado cream sauce, substitute plain yogurt and just a little water.

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Mini Pumpkin Pies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Pies

This bite-sized treat is sure to keep the buffet line moving, even if they loop back around for seconds.

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Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter

Photo: Victor Protasio; Propr Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter

These sweet and savory little clouds pair perfectly with honey butter spread.

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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

 All you need is cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to bake the most sought-after flavor of the season.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Stew with Pumpkin and Wild Rice

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Stew with Pumpkin and Wild Rice

Creamy chicken and wild rice stew gets a big punch of fall flavor thanks to the season’s most beloved gourd: pumpkin.

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Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Showcase the best part about pumpkin pie. This easier-than-average pumpkin pie recipe doesn't skimp on flavor, either. 

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Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter

Don’t worry, you don’t need to make fresh pasta in order to get this dish on the table. Wonton wrappers are our not-so-little secret.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re looking for a thin and crispy cookie, this isn’t it. Thick and cakey? We’ve got you covered.

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Make Ahead: Loosely wrap baked and cooked tiramisu in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Pumpkin-and-Turnip Green Lasagna

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Pumpkin-and-Turnip Green Lasagna

Use no-boil lasagna noodles (we like Barilla brand), which will soak up moisture from the sauce and pumpkin.

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Yep, those are ribbons of caramel in that cream cheese frosting. You just can’t pass this one up.

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Pear-and-Pumpkin Tart

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Pear-and-Pumpkin Tart

Need help peeling and cutting your pumpkin? Most supermarket produce sections offer this service for a small fee.

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Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Of all of our Thanksgiving dessert recipes, this might just be the easiest one yet. For a crisp crust (no more soggy bottom!), use a metal pie pan and prebake your crust with pie weights.

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Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Let fresh-baked brownies chill, uncovered, overnight. For a perfect slice, cut while they're cold. Serve at room temperature.

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Beer-Battered Pumpkin with Dipping Sauce

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Beer-Battered Pumpkin with Dipping Sauce

Fresh pumpkins are great for savory dishes. Pick those labeled "sugar" or "pie."

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Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce 

Use Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread to make this flavorfull fall dessert.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Combine your favorite Thanksgiving desserts into one delicious cheesecake! A sweet Praline Topping sends this dessert over the edge.

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Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread

Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients disappear. (Lumps are normal.) Overmixing causes tough or misshapen loaves.

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Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Make and refrigerate without the topping a day ahead. Whip and add the topping before serving.

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Pumpkin-Acorn Squash Soup

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Pumpkin-Acorn Squash Soup

This savory soup is full of the flavors of fall. Pumpkin and acorn squash are seasoned with honey, thyme, ginger, and nutmeg for a delicious combination that will be hard to resist.

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Pumpkin Roll

Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Roll

Impress your guests with a spiced pumpkin cake roll that's filled with sweet cream cheese. Rolling up the cake is easy with these step-by-step instructions, plus, you can make it ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to serve.

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

It's easy to roast pumpkin seeds for a quick snack or as a topping for salads or soups. Just toss pumpkin seeds with a little olive oil and spices, and roast—it's that easy!

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Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins

Sticky buns and pumpkin bread combine in this amazing muffin recipe. A mixture of toasted pecans, butter, and brown sugar creates the sweet topping. Serve these for breakfast, or skip the "sticky" part and make Pecan-Pumpkin Bread instead.

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Pumpkin Biscotti

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pumpkin Biscotti

These crunchy, aromatic cookies are perfect dipping into your morning coffee.

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Pecan-Pumpkin Bread

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Bread

For a charming fall gift that's more inspired than a bottle of wine, wrap a loaf of our moist Pecan-Pumpkin Bread in a pretty fall-inspired tea towel.

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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Molasses and pumpkin pie spice give this elegant take on pumpkin pie its deep autumnal flavor. Buy one 29-oz. can of pumpkin for the recipe.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

We use a mix of chocolate and cinnamon graham cracker crumbs here to give the crust a dark color with notes of chocolate and a little spice. You can choose one or the other, so long as you use 1½ cups total. We also like to give the canned pumpkin a whirl in the food processor so it's nice and smooth in the creamy filling.

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Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Make these muffins into loaves! Spoon batter into 2 greased 8- x 4-inch loaf pans, and bake 55 minutes.

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Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

With a moist, crumbly crust and a decadent, creamy filling, it's hard to say no to seconds of this pie.

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Marbled Pumpkin Praline Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Recipe: Marbled Pumpkin Praline Cake

This cake is a gorgeous combination of pumpkin batter, cream cheese batter, pecan-praline filling, and spiced whipped cream. You’re welcome.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Begin with a toasted pecan crust, layer with cream cheese and a classic pumpkin filling, and then gild the lily with a creamy meringue.

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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

This pumpkin bread pudding is perfect for a chilly evening. Make one large dish, or serve it in perfectly portioned ramekins for company.

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