17 Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Spice Up the Season (2024)

With fall finally upon us and Halloween costume ideas abounding left and right, it’s time for those official icons of fall to reappear on our doorsteps. But pumpkins aren’t just meant to be carved into jack-o’-lanterns — they’re also a perfect base for plenty of delicious recipes. And if you think they’re only good for sweet things like breads and PSLs, think again. There’s a whole world of savory delights out there just waiting for you to dig into and enjoy.

1. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi: A big plate of gnocchi is a perfect indulgence all on its own, but the addition of pumpkin, pancetta and seared radicchio takes this recipe right over the top (and onto our forks). (via The Bojon Gourmet)

2. Simple Pumpkin Soup: This seasonal classic gets a healthy update with the addition of a yummy garlic-sesame-kale topping. Mmm hmm. (via Minimalist Baker)

3. Classic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Who doesn’t love the scent of pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven? This three-ingredient recipe is easy as pie — no pun intended — and brings back sweet childhood memories with every crunch. (via A Beautiful Mess)

4. Roasted Garlic Sage Pesto Pumpkin Soup With Spicy Fried Pumpkin Seeds: This crowd-pleaser is meant for wowing guests at a pitch-perfect dinner party with a roaring fire and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown playing on a makeshift movie screen in the backyard. (via Half Baked Harvest)

5. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate comfort food gets even more comfy when you add a seasonal ingredient like pumpkin with hints of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. We’ll take an extra scoop, thanks. (via Steamy Kitchen)

6. Pumpkin Grilled Cheese: You haven’t truly enjoyed the ultimate remedy for the cold-weather blues until you’ve built it with gruyere and fresh pumpkin. Just try to deny its ooey-gooey goodness. We dare you. (via Macheesmo)

7. Savory Pumpkin & Sage Muffins: Imagine waking up to the perfect breakfast bite in the form of a warm, fresh muffin with an herbal twist. Now you can, thanks to this sage-topped recipe filled with whole wheat goodness that will help you start the day off right. (via Love Food Eat)

8. Pumpkin Quinoa Patties: Pack an extra protein punch in your breakfast patties or dinner sides by pairing pumpkin and quinoa with accents like goat cheese and cayenne pepper. The seasoning pulls it all together with a zesty finish. (via Wendy Polisi)

9. Chickpea + Coconut Korma Curry With Pumpkin: Few things are more soothing on a cold, wet day than a big pot of curry. This recipe marries that coconut milk flavor with bright lime and savory spices, bringing out some serious roasted pumpkin deliciousness. (via Cook Republic)

10. Pumpkin Fritters With Rosemary and Cheese: Rule #1 of living with culinary abandon: Never turn down a fritter. Add the elegance of rosemary, the seasonal delight of pumpkin and some salty Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and you’ve got yourself a little fried piece of heaven. (via What About Second Breakfast?)

11. Pumpkin Feta Tart: Whoever said tarts have to contain berries obviously never tried this crumbly beautiful mess of textures and tastes. If you happen to give it a whirl, save us an extra slice. (via My Kitchen Affair)

12. Golden Trio Chipotle Soup: Pumpkin, sweet potato and butternut squash are basically the holy trinity of fall, so why not combine them into a heavenly vegan soup with tofu to boot? (via Healthy Happy Life)

13. Savory Pumpkin Cornbread Waffles: Cornbread waffles are intriguing enough to start off with, but add pumpkin into the mix and toss a fried egg on top and you’ve got yourself a dish that defies a breakfast, lunch or dinner classification. Eat it whenever you want, no maple syrup necessary. (via Minimalist Baker)

14. Pumpkin Ravioli With Hazelnut Brown Butter Sauce: It’s a known fact that brown butter sauce can make anything taste amazing. Put it together with a flavorful fall pasta and delectable hazelnuts and it’s bound to make you say “mmm.” (via Will Cook for Friends)

15. Creamy Maple Bacon Pumpkin Risotto: Just look at those four ingredients: maple, bacon, pumpkin and risotto. If that’s not a party in your mouth, we don’t know what is. (via Pineapple & Coconut)

16. Pumpkin Pasta With Parmesan and Sage: This easy-to-fix pasta dish is perfect for busy autumn nights when the sun goes down early and you’re still finishing up work. As a bonus, you can make it vegan just by skipping the parmesan. Easy peasy! (via Bake Your Day)

17. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese: We can’t talk about cold-weather recipes without mentioning good old-fashioned mac and cheese. It’s made with pumpkin, onions, spices and breadcrumbs,…aaaand, we’ve officially reached comfort-food nirvana. (via Well Plated)

Which of these are you trying out first? Dish in the comments below!

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Amy Lynch

Amy is a freelance writer and editor, telling the stories of progressive people and projects that move the world forward. Her work has appeared on The Hairpin, Refinery29, Citygram and more, and she's developed content for the likes of Alternative Apparel, Milkshake and Silvercar. She lives, works and plays with her fiancé and their dog, Bogey, in the weird, wild heart of Austin, Texas.

17 Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Spice Up the Season (2024)

FAQs

What savory spices go with pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin is notorious for pairing well with warm winter spices – as found in a variety of Moroccan-inspired cuisines. Try incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cumin and chilli with your pumpkin dishes for flavour-packed feasts.

Is pumpkin good for blood pressure? ›

To help decrease your blood pressure, try eating pumpkin, which contains potassium that helps to control blood pressure. Potassium also helps with bone health and decreases your risk for diabetes. Around 10% of your daily potassium is found in just a half-cup serving of canned pumpkin.

What brings out the flavor of pumpkin? ›

Cook It on the Stove

Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.

What can I add to pumpkin to make it taste better? ›

If you really want to go all out, you can even grate whole cinnamon sticks, ginger knobs, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice berries. It's definitely more work, but the intense spice flavors work wonders to enhance the dull flavor of canned pumpkin.

What are good savory spices? ›

ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons ground ginger.
  • 3 tablespoons dried oregano.
  • 1 tablespoon ground cloves.
  • 4 tablespoons onion powder.
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
  • 12 teaspoon chili powder (may use more)
  • 1 12 - 2 teaspoons nutmeg, fresh grated.
  • 2 tablespoons dried sage, finely crushed.

When should we not eat pumpkin? ›

While it's sometimes associated with seasonal lattes and desserts, pumpkin can be a simple addition to sweet and savory cuisines. Pumpkin is considered a safe food for most healthy adults, but check with a healthcare provider if you have a history of food allergies, are pregnant, or are taking certain medications.

What organ is pumpkin good for? ›

Supports heart health

Pumpkin is recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet that may help lower your risk of heart disease. It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.

Is pumpkin good or bad for kidneys? ›

Although pumpkin is a higher potassium food, in moderation it can be beneficial for your overall health. Pumpkin is packed with nutritional benefits that are great for the renal diet including fiber, Vitamin C and beta-carotene. So go ahead, enjoy this fall delights in moderation today!

Is A pumpkin A Vegetable or a fruit? ›

A pumpkin, from a botanist's perspective, is a fruit because it's a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bullbs, flowers, and tubers.

What is the fruit that tastes like pumpkin? ›

Although it originated in Southern Mexico, the mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) is beloved in tropical areas across the world, especially in the Caribbean. Eaten fresh, the orange-fleshed fruit has a taste that some compare to a brown sugar-covered sweet potato, with notes of pumpkin, caramel and cantaloupe.

What flavor cancels out cinnamon? ›

If the cinnamon flavor is too sweet, add a contrasting strong spice, such as chili powder, lemon pepper, garlic powder or paprika. If the cinnamon is on the spicy side, add white or brown sugar and a sweet spice, such as nutmeg.

What is the most delicious pumpkin? ›

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.

Can dogs eat pumpkin? ›

The short answer is yes, dogs can eat pumpkin. In fact, if prepared correctly, pumpkin can be a beneficial addition to your pet's diet. It's naturally rich in fiber as well as vitamins A, C, and E and minerals like potassium and iron.

What does milk do for pumpkins? ›

Milk has calcium in it, pumpkins like calcium as it allows them to uptake various nutrients.

What flavor compliments pumpkin? ›

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

What does pumpkin spice pair well with? ›

Pumpkin-spiced cream makes a great topping for gluten-free desserts, oatmeal, chia pudding, fresh fruit or smoothie bowls.

What adds savory flavor? ›

Umami is that savory flavor we enjoy so much, and MSG is the purest form of umami. We know that monosodium glutamate, or MSG, makes food taste amazing.

What is pumpkin spice season? ›

Every year around early September is the unofficial start of “pumpkin season.” You know, the time when brands trot out pumpkin-flavored everything, from desserts to hummus to yogurt to coffee to, I kid you not – pumpkin scented trash bags.

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