Pumpkins are an autumnal favourite for a reason. Not only can they bring a pop of colour to even the dreariest day, but with their sweet flavour and velvety texture, they work well in both savoury dishes and desserts.
Plus, pumpkins are healthy; they’re low in calories and packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals. The seeds are a great source of plant-based fat too. As a result, research has suggested that adding pumpkin to your diet may boost immunity and support heart and eye health.
So, whether pumpkin is a tried and tested ingredient in your kitchen or you’re looking to experiment with something new this autumn, here are nine delicious pumpkin recipes.
Note: Different pumpkin varieties vary in flavour, so you might find it useful to read this pumpkin guide from Pumpkin Bumpkins before getting started in the kitchen.
You can buy pumpkins from supermarkets, grow your own, or it can be a fun seasonal activity to go pumpkin picking at your local pumpkin patch.
1. Pumpkin overnight oats
Overnight oats are an increasingly popular breakfast option; they’re quick to prepare, easy to customise, and can be eaten on the go. Most versions use ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate, and berries, but for an autumnal twist, why not add pumpkin?
This pumpkin pie overnight oats recipe from Ambitious Kitchen takes just five minutes to make and can help get your morning off to a good start. It’s thick, creamy, and packed with protein, so you’ll hopefully feel full until lunch.
One of the best things about this recipe is the addition of chia seeds. As well as thickening the mixture, chia seeds are high in protein and have been linked to improved heart, bone, and digestive health.
You can also add any other ingredients you like to your oats – walnuts, pecan nuts, and cranberries all complement pumpkin nicely.
Check out our article, 8 ways to enjoy oats for breakfast, for more inspiration.
2. Creamy pumpkin pasta
Pumpkin pasta is the perfect dish for a comforting weeknight dinner. This recipe from An Italian In My Kitchen is deliciously indulgent; lashings of cream and parmesan cheese mean it looks and tastes luxurious, yet it takes just 20 minutes to prepare. And, don’t worry if you’re vegan or dairy-free, as it tastes just as nice with plant-based milk and cheese.
If you’d like to boost the protein content, you might like to add meat or veggie sausages. Or, sprinkle some hemp seeds, flaxseeds, or chopped walnuts on top. Not only will this add some crunch, but these ingredients are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are effective at fighting inflammation and disease.
While this recipe uses fettuccine, you can easily substitute this for your favourite pasta shape – penne, gnocchi, and tagliatelle all work well. Alternatively, for something even more decadent, you could make a pumpkin lasagne.
3. Pumpkin cheesecake
Earlier this year, cheesecake was crowned Britain’s favourite dessert! So, next time you have guests over and are looking for a real crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make, you could whip up a pumpkin cheesecake.
There are countless versions of pumpkin cheesecake and some are fancier than others. Nigella Lawson’s pumpkin cheesecake has a silky, creamy texture, a delicate orange finish, and is super simple to make. She uses crushed digestive biscuits as the base and cinnamon to add a spicy warmth throughout.
For a vegan or dairy-free version, try this recipe from Glutarama. Or, if you don’t want to end up with a whole cheesecake, you might prefer to make mini ones like these from Sainsbury’s Magazine or these vegan ones from The Little Blog of Vegan.
4. Roasted pumpkin salad
One of the easiest ways to cook with pumpkin is to add it to a salad. Salads are sometimes considered a bit dull, but this roast pumpkin, spinach, and feta salad from RecipeTin Eats will hopefully tantalise your tastebuds.
Tangy feta compliments a sweet balsamic dressing, while soft cubes of roasted pumpkin pair well with spinach and crunchy pine nuts, making for a moreish lunch, light dinner, or tasty side salad. It’s also a convenient way to use up any leftover pumpkin. And, best of all, it’s fresh and vibrant – ideal for those grey autumnal days.
If this salad doesn’t take your fancy, there are countless others to try – including this pumpkin, quinoa, and pomegranate salad from George Eats and this pumpkin, beetroot, and lemon tahini version from Occasionally Eggs.
5. Pumpkin biryani
If you love the aromatic flavours of South Asian cuisine, a pumpkin biryani might be right up your street.
A biryani is a type of curry where rice, vegetables, and meat are cooked separately, then layered together and steamed slowly at low heat. This allows the fluffy rice and tender vegetables to absorb the spices and juices, bringing a punchy explosion of flavour to each bite.
So, why not try this pumpkin biryani from Samsung Food? Soft pumpkin chunks, browned onions, peas, and succulent chicken are nestled amongst a generous helping of basmati rice.
Or, for a real showstopper, you could make this pumpkin biryani from BBC Good Food. Not only is it delicious, but no part of the pumpkin goes to waste as the biryani is cooked and served in the hollowed-out pumpkin shells. While it takes a little longer to prepare, it can make a special meal for hungry guests.
6. Pumpkin spice latte
For many of us, sipping on a spicy yet sweet pumpkin spice latte is an autumn essential. So why not make your own?
This pumpkin spice latte recipe from BBC Good Food is simple to follow and only requires six ingredients. First, mix puréed pumpkin with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Add coffee and warm milk, then dust with cinnamon to finish. If nothing else does, a mug of this is sure to get you feeling autumnal – all while getting your caffeine fix.
Pumpkin spice lattes feel delightfully cosy and, depending on how sweet you make them, are almost a dessert in a cup – perfect for a midweek pick-me-up! Recipes often suggest adding cream to finish, though you can leave this off if you’d prefer.
For more coffee inspiration, check out our article; 10 ways to upgrade your morning coffee routine.
7. Pumpkin soup
On a cool, autumnal day, it’s hard to imagine anything more satisfying than a steaming bowl of soup. Whether you use fresh, canned, or roasted pumpkin, your soup will be thick and hearty – it’s guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out.
The pumpkin’s natural sweetness complements the more intense, savoury flavours of onion and garlic. For a subtly spicy kick, you can also add turmeric, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Another great thing about pumpkin soup is that it can be frozen for up to three months. This means that any leftovers can be saved for a day when you don’t have the time or energy to cook, but are craving something warming.
To make pumpkin soup, check out this recipe from RecipeTin Eats. For an indulgent finish, serve with a drizzle of cream and some toasted pumpkin seeds. Croutons also make a nice addition!
Our article, 12 of the best soup recipes for health and comfort, has plenty more inspiration.
8. Pumpkin chilli
Chilli is a firm favourite for many of us during the cooler months. It’s rich, robust, and can be made as spicy or as mild as you’d like.
This smoky pumpkin chilli recipe from BBC Good Food is delicious and hearty. The soft texture of perfectly roasted pumpkin blends seamlessly with a chunky sauce that’s packed with lentils and beans. As the absorbent pumpkin soaks up the rich, tomatoey sauce, each mouthful is more flavoursome than the last.
A couple of squares of dark chocolate add a deep, umami flavour to the dish. Though, if you don’t have any dark chocolate to hand, just leave it out! And while this version is veggie, you can easily add meat if you’d like – beef or turkey mince work well.
For those lucky enough to have a slow cooker, making chilli is even easier. Why not give this slow cooker pumpkin chilli recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker a go?
Serve with your choice of carb (rice, bread, or a jacket potato are ideal), and for an extra treat, you can enjoy tortilla chips on the side.
9. Pumpkin pie
Finally, we couldn’t have a list of pumpkin recipes without mentioning the classic – pumpkin pie. This iconic American delicacy is synonymous with Thanksgiving and has been popular in the US since the 18th century.
Those with a sweet tooth will love tucking into a slice – or two! Flaky shortcrust pastry holds a subtly spiced filling of puréed pumpkin, cream, sugar, and eggs – every bite is a love letter to autumn. Even better, it’ll look stunning on your dinner table.
This recipe from Inspired Taste is straightforward to follow. Simply roll out your pastry, prepare the filling, pour this into the pie shell, then bake for around 50 minutes. And voila! You’ll have a mouthwateringly moreish dessert that tastes even better when served with whipped cream or ice cream.
You can also easily make a dairy-free version. For example, this recipe from Nora Cooks uses coconut cream for an equally creamy texture.
Final thoughts…
Though you might be missing the summer warmth, there’s lots to be excited about with the arrival of autumn. And, for many of us, the cooler months are a chance to enjoy cooking and eating comforting, seasonal dishes.
Whether you choose to pop some roasted pumpkin in a salad or try making a classic pumpkin pie, we hope this list has proved just how versatile pumpkins are.
For more cooking inspiration, head over to the food and drink section of our website. Here, you’ll find articles like 10 autumn recipes and 9 comforting dessert recipes for a cosy night in.
Have you cooked with pumpkin before? Will you be trying any of these recipes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!