6 Easy Ways to Cook with Pumpkin This Fall
Pumpkin is one of those ingredients that deserves more attention than it gets after pie season arrives. Its mild flavor and creamy texture make it surprisingly useful in savory dishes, breakfast recipes, sauces, and even dips. If you have a can of pumpkin puree sitting in your pantry, these ideas offer some fresh ways to use it without making another dessert.
Give Mac and Cheese a Pumpkin Upgrade
Pumpkin puree can add a creamy texture and subtle earthy sweetness to homemade mac and cheese. Stir a small amount into your favorite cheese sauce along with seasonings such as garlic, mustard, black pepper, or smoked paprika. The pumpkin doesn’t need to dominate the dish; instead, it blends into the cheese sauce and adds a seasonal twist to a familiar dinner. It’s an easy way to use up leftover pumpkin puree without making an entirely new recipe.
Turn Pumpkin Into a Savory Hummus
Pumpkin puree makes an unexpected but delicious addition to homemade hummus. Blend it with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and savory spices for a dip with a creamy texture and subtle pumpkin flavor. Serve it with pita, crackers, sliced vegetables, or use it as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. It is also a simple option when you want something different from the usual hummus flavors.
Add Pumpkin to a Pot of Chili
Pumpkin may sound unusual in chili, but it works surprisingly well with the smoky and spicy flavors already found in the dish. Stir pumpkin puree into a traditional beef, turkey, or vegetarian chili along with tomatoes, beans, peppers, and your favorite chili spices. The puree helps give the chili a thicker texture while adding a mild earthy flavor rather than making it taste like dessert. Even the USDA’s MyPlate features a pumpkin chili recipe that combines pumpkin with turkey, tomatoes, and kidney beans.
Make Pumpkin Pancakes for Breakfast
Adding pumpkin puree to pancake batter is an easy way to turn an ordinary breakfast into something seasonal. Pumpkin pairs naturally with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and other warm spices, while the puree helps keep the pancakes tender. Serve them with maple syrup, chopped pecans, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt. This is also a practical way to use a partial can of pumpkin after making another recipe.
Make a Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Pumpkin puree can become the base for a surprisingly creamy pasta sauce without requiring a complicated recipe. Combine it with ingredients such as garlic, Parmesan, broth, and a little cream or milk, then season with black pepper and herbs. The result is a savory sauce that works especially well with pasta shapes that can hold onto a thicker sauce. Add cooked sausage, chicken, spinach, or roasted vegetables if you want to turn it into a heartier meal.
Blend Pumpkin Into a Breakfast Smoothie
Pumpkin puree can also find a place in your blender. Combine it with banana, Greek yogurt or your preferred milk, cinnamon, and a little maple syrup for a creamy breakfast smoothie with plenty of seasonal flavor. For a more filling option, add nut butter, chia seeds, or your favorite protein powder. It has the familiar flavors of pumpkin pie, but you can enjoy it as a quick breakfast or snack instead of saving pumpkin for dessert.
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Disclosure Policy
