Good For More Than Pie: 9 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes To Savor All Autumn Long

From golden, orange, and red leaves to warm cups of apple cider to blanket scarves, autumn is charm itself. Pumpkins are among the most quintessential fall items you can find, found in festive candles, carved up for Halloween, and oh-so-delicious to eat. Here, we’ve gathered up some delectable pumpkin recipe ideas for you to draw inspiration from. You may be surprised to learn that pumpkin can be both sweet and savory; we have options that are both. 

From pumpkin cinnamon rolls that are so good that you can’t have just one to mouthwatering pumpkin gnocchi that keeps you coming back for more, here are some of our favorite pumpkin recipe ideas for dishes and treats that you can make with this festive gourd. 

How Can Pumpkin Be Both Sweet And Savory?

Have you ever had pumpkin by itself, with no spices or any added flavors? It’s pretty bland. Hence the incredibly popular pumpkin spice flavoring: the blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice, that gives pumpkin pie its signature taste. You can also use spices and other ingredients to make pumpkin work for savory dishes. It’s a very versatile fruit (yes, pumpkin is a fruit!) 

Treat Your Sweet Tooth With These Pumpkin Recipe Ideas

When most people think of using pumpkin to cook with or bake with, they tend to think of sweet treats. There’s nothing more fall than pumpkin spice, after all! Here are some of our favorite pumpkin recipe ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies

Give your favorite brownies an autumnal makeover with some pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice! These brownies are remarkably easy to throw together, making them perfect for school or office Halloween parties, or just to have around the house!

Get the recipe here. 

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Squares

Perfectly chewy and just dense enough without being too sweet, this pumpkin recipe perfectly straddles the line between cake and bread. The cream cheese renders frosting nonessential, but you can of course frost the squares if you like. Cinnamon or maple work wonderfully with pumpkin. 

Get the recipe here. 

Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee

While creme brulee may seem like a dessert that’s best left to the masters, our recipe is straightforward, with a festive fall twist! This rich custard combined with pumpkin flavors is oh-so-cozy to have by the fire while your favorite fall show is playing.

Get the recipe here.

Fresh Pumpkin Bread

This is a bit less sweet than the above options and has a more mild flavor than you may typically associate with pumpkin bread, making it perfect for picky eaters or for those who aren’t sure whether or not they like pumpkin. 

Get the recipe here. 

Pumpkin Spice Scones

We love sweet scones combined with fall’s signature flavor. Adjust your favorite scone recipe so that you can add in some pumpkin and pumpkin spice, and you too can enjoy an autumnal take on this traditional treat. 

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls

Ugh, cinnamon rolls are just so mouth-wateringly delicious. Add some pumpkin to the recipe or some pumpkin spice to the frosting to turn this classic into a seasonal treat. 

Here’s a good basic cinnamon roll recipe to get you started. 

Pumpkin Recipes For Those Who Want Something Savory

We love using pumpkin in creative ways! Savory pumpkin recipes may be a bit unexpected, but no less delicious, so long as you flavor them properly. Here are some of our favorite savory pumpkin recipe ideas!

Stuffed Pumpkin Dinner

Beef, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and all the right spices all come together inside this pumpkin for a nutrient-rich dinner that is beyond delicious and beyond fun.

Get the recipe here. 

Pumpkin Pasta

This can be done in so many different ways! You can add some pumpkin to your favorite type of mac and cheese, with some breadcrumbs and bacon on top for a crispy flair. You can do your favorite spicy turkey penne with a pumpkin sauce. You could do an elegant carbonara with cremed pumpkin for a unique orange color and a touch of sweetness to the flavor. 

To take your pasta one step further, try making your own noodles! Here, we have a guide to get you started on your homemade pasta journey. 

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Sometimes, people get gnocchi and pasta confused, so you may wonder why this pumpkin recipe isn’t listed with the pasta ideas. In truth, gnocchi isn’t pasta, it’s actually a type of dumpling. Combing pumpkin gnocchi with kale and a garlic sauce may raise eyebrows, but it’s beyond delectable. 

These are some ideas to get you started! If you ever want to learn more about cooking and how you can incorporate items into your recipes, we here at Kitchen Kneads provide both virtual and in-person cooking classes that you can come to and learn from. While our caramel apple cooking classes this month are sold out, in November, we have a holiday bread class, a fudge and truffles class, and a holiday baking class that you can attend.