15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (2024)

Though you may wait until mid-October to put out your Jack-o'-Lantern, you don't have to wait as long to put pumpkin to work in your kitchen—the fruit actually begins to ripen in September. Local farmers will continue to offer succulent, fleshy pumpkins throughout autumn, and since they hold up so well, you can often find them at local markets well into winter.

The best pumpkins for cooking are very different from those you would choose to decorate. The ubiquitous field pumpkin—which is the most common variety used in carving—has watery, stringy flesh and isn't recommended for eating. Whether you're choosing to bake a classic pumpkin pie or simmer a large pot of pumpkin soup, you'll want to ask for sugar pumpkins or cheese pumpkins at the market. They're just as widely available, but they're much better suited to cooking and baking thanks to their dense, sweet flesh.

In their original form, pumpkins can keep for up to a month in a cool spot in your kitchen. If you want to continue cooking and baking fresh pumpkin recipes closer to the holidays, keep the pumpkin whole and store it in a cool cellar. That way it can retain its freshness for up to three months. Once you've cut into a pumpkin, however, the pieces should be wrapped tightly and refrigerated; you have up to five days to use both the flesh and seeds.

28 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes, Including Everything from Pies to Cheesecake

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Roasted Pumpkin With Shallots and Sage

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (1)

Sweet, tender sugar pumpkin is roasted with olive oil, sage, and shallots for an easy side dish on its own or tossed with rice, couscous, or pasta. In place of sage, you could use another robust herb, such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano.

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Mashed Potatoes With Pumpkin and Greens

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (2)

Give mashed potatoes a colorful, healthy upgrade by adding pumpkin and chard to the mix.

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Pumpkin and Pecorino Gratin

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (3)

Sugar-pumpkin purée is seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then baked under a crown of crunchy breadcrumbs and Romano cheese. This casserole makes a magnificent side dish with roast chicken or pork or a fabulous vegetarian entrée.

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Sugar Pumpkin Pasta With Garlic and Walnuts

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (4)

So very fall! This whole-wheat pasta dish is hearty, not heavy, and full of flavor thanks to cubes of roasted sugar pumpkin, plenty of garlic, toasted walnuts, and a touch of umami from anchovies. Sure, you can skip the anchovies if you must, but we think you'll find they add so much flavor to the finished dish.

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Pumpkin Pie

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (5)

We're sneaking a pie in to this collection of fresh pumpkin recipes because it's made with fresh—not canned—pumpkin and it's just so good. This pie has more delicious depth of flavor thanks to the roasted fresh pumpkin and just the right amount of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Make extra purée and freeze it so you can enjoy pumpkin desserts throughout the season.

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20 Seasonal Recipes That Start With Canned Pumpkin Puree

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Roasted Pumpkin

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (6)

Our recipe for basic roasted pumpkin is simple and very versatile. You can eat the sweet, fibrous flesh straight out of the shell with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, or you can get creative and use the roasted pumpkin flesh for purée or scope out the flesh and use it for Mashed Pumpkin with Cumin and Maple.

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Roasted Squash, Apple, and Cipollini Onion Salad

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (7)

Though the recipe title says "squash," this recipe can and should be made with sugar pumpkin. It's a hearty winter salad with mellow roasted vegetables and apples contrasting with the peppery watercress.

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Roasted Pumpkin Soup

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (8)

Fresh pumpkin is roasted with onion and shiitake mushrooms, then puréed to make a creamy (but cream-free!) soup. An immersion blender makes quick work of this simple, hearty meal.

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Coconut, Fish, and Pumpkin Stew

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (9)

This lively one-pot dinner features coconut milk, cod, pumpkin (or calabaza), baby spinach, and a touch of chile for a filling and healthy meal.

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White Bean and Sausage Stew in Pumpkin Bowls

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (10)

All dressed up for a fabulous fall dinner party, this hearty stew is baked in sugar pumpkins. A combination of navy beans, turkey sausage, mushrooms, carrots, leeks, potatoes, and peas makes a delicious, filling meal.

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Rigatoni With Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (11)

This easy, satisfying pasta dish is full of tender roast pumpkin and tangy goat cheese. For an even quicker dinner, roast the pumpkin ahead of time and heat it up just before tossing with the rigatoni.

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Beef, Pumpkin, and Shiitake Soup

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (12)

Starring sugar pie pumpkin or calabaza, this slowly simmered soupy stew is easy to make. It takes just 15 minutes of prep. When the beef chuck or neck bones are fork-tender, you add the vegetables that won't need long to cook. Fresh basil and a splash of fish sauce are not to be skipped for serving—the latter adds an exceptional hint of umami flavor.

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Pumpkin Soup With Wild Rice and Apples

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (13)

You can't go wrong with a tasty meal that doubles as décor. Mini pumpkins are filled with creamy pumpkin soup, then topped with chewy wild rice, crunchy almonds, and juicy apples. To serve this recipe as an entrée, add a protein (like roasted chicken or turkey) and more rice per pumpkin.

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Pumpkin Dip

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (14)

Give your next dip a fall-forward twist with this savory pumpkin version. Enjoy it with chopped vegetables, butter crackers, or crusty bread for a mouthwatering appetizer or snack.

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Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad

15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (15)

Leafy green salad gets a seasonal upgrade with maple-sweetened roasted pumpkin. Crumbled feta cheese offers a tangy and creamy element, but you can use goat cheese or bleu cheese as well.

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15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (2024)

FAQs

What kind of pumpkin is best for soup? ›

Queensland Blue Pumpkins

They're incredibly hardy and relatively easy to grow – thriving on compost and providing a high yield when given enough sunlight and space. The QLD blue is perfect in baked dishes and also lends itself really well to boiling, making it great for mashes and soups.

How to make pumpkin soup Jamie Oliver? ›

Place the pumpkin, shallots, ginger and some oil in a large saucepan and sauté until soft. Add the stock, coconut milk and chilli powder. Season, then bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes. Blitz in a food processor then serve with the fresh herbs, lime juice and a splash of coconut milk.

What can pumpkin replace in baking? ›

Use pumpkin in your favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipe –you can even sub it in for ingredients like eggs, oil, and butter.

What does pumpkin soup do to your body? ›

Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What's more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.

Is pumpkin soup good for blood pressure? ›

Lowers blood pressure: A pumpkin's orange color is a sign that it's packed with potassium, which helps lower blood pressure, strengthen the bones, and reduce your risk of stroke and kidney stones.

What thickens pumpkin soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is my pumpkin soup bitter? ›

Cucurbits can contain cucurbitacin, a toxic compound that gives off a bitter taste. The bitterness is bred out of domesticated cucurbits. But sometimes insects moving from one field to another cross-pollinate a cultivated plant with a wild or ornamental one.

What vegetable is closest to a pumpkin? ›

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potatoes

Butternut squash and our favorite orange spuds (sweet potatoes) can save the day when needing a quick alternative to pumpkin. These ingredients, in these amounts, are interchangeable in most recipes to achieve the same texture and most similar flavor.

Can I use pumpkin instead of eggs? ›

Aside from giving your baked goods a seasonal touch, pumpkin puree is excellent for replacing eggs. Use 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree for each egg, says Traci Weintraub, chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, a restaurant in Los Angeles.

What fruit is similar to pumpkin? ›

Butternut Squash

If you like pumpkin but want to try something different, butternut squash is the perfect fruit for you. Similar to pumpkin but slightly sweeter, butternut squash is high in fiber and potassium and known to help reduce blood pressure.

Is pumpkin soup good for your stomach? ›

For those watching their calorie intake, pumpkin is a fantastic choice. It's low in calories but still provides essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, which support digestive health and your immune system. Its high fiber content also helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating.

What is a pumpkin soup? ›

Pumpkin soup is a usually 'bound' (thick) soup made from a purée of pumpkin. It is made by combining the meat of a blended pumpkin with broth or stock. It can be served hot or cold, and is a common Thanksgiving dish in the United States.

Is pumpkin soup good for a bad stomach? ›

A wonderful option for anyone battling an upset stomach, Yellow Pumpkin Soup is easy to digest, gentle on the stomach, and soothing. Low in calories and high in soluble fiber, Yellow Pumpkin Soup can help keep you and your stomach satiated and may help ease your upset stomach too.

What kind of pumpkin is best for cooking? ›

1. Choose The Right Kind. For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round.

What is the best canned pumpkin to use? ›

The Best Overall: Libby's 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin

There is a reason that Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin has been the go-to brand for so many people for so long.

What is the difference between butternut and pumpkin? ›

Texture-wise, butternut squash tends to be less stringy than pumpkin, making it a more popular choice for soups and purees, and those who are more sensitive to texture. Still, both can be used in heartier dishes like chilis and curries.

What kind of pumpkins are used for canned pumpkin? ›

Dickinson pumpkins, also known as Dickinson squash, are the pumpkins used to make the majority of canned pumpkin we eat today. But Dickinson pumpkins are tan pumpkins with uniform, smooth skin that are much larger than the average field pumpkin. They're also sometimes called squash, not pumpkins.

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