30 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes You’ve Never Tried Before
Updated: Nov. 27, 2022
Get creative in the kitchen with rice stuffed pumpkins, a pumpkin and cauliflower garlic mash, and more fresh pumpkin recipes.
Fresh pumpkin recipes
It’s pumpkin season! Before fall ends you have to make sure to cook at least one pumpkin treat for yourself. Here are some fresh pumpkin recipes from our sister site Taste of Home that you’ve probably never tried before to help you satisfy all of your pumpkin cravings. If you want to pick your own fresh pumpkin, these are the best pumpkin patches in every state.
Garlic pumpkin seeds
“Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin seeds guests will be scooping out at your pumpkin-carving party? This yummy, microwave-easy recipe is the answer! Save some for yourself before they’re gone!” —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas. Read up on the real history behind why we carve pumpkins.
Plus, learn how to make your carved pumpkins last longer.
Cranberry pumpkin muffins
“Tart, juicy cranberries enhance the delicate pumpkin flavor of these muffins. Sometimes I dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a little sweetness.” —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona.
Best curried pumpkin soup
“I whipped this up for my family on Thanksgiving, and everyone was crazy about it! Even my brother, who is one of the pickiest eaters I know, asked for seconds of this curry pumpkin soup.” —Kimberly Knepper, Euless, Texas.
Spicy pumpkin seeds
“We look forward to Fall in anticipation of making these spicy pumpkin seeds. I often put some in a decorated jar to give as a gift.” —Taste of Home.
Chorizo pumpkin pasta
“I’m a busy student, and this spicy-sweet pasta makes a perfect quick dinner. Even better, it works on a bigger scale to feed a bunch of friends.” —Christine Yang, Syracuse, New York. Read up on these things you didn’t know about Costco’s pumpkin pie.
Sausage and rice stuffed pumpkins
“My children often request this dish. It also adds a great “wow” factor to a festive buffet table.” —Andria Peckham, Lowell, Michigan. These foods taste so much better in the fall.
Pumpkin lasagna
“I especially like this comforting fall dish because it’s vegetarian. Even friends who aren’t big fans of pumpkin are surprised by this delectable lasagna. Canned pumpkin and no-cook noodles make it a cinch to prepare.” —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama.
Pumpkin and cauliflower garlic mash
“I wanted healthy alternatives to my family’s favorite recipes. Pumpkin, cauliflower, and thyme make an amazing dish. You’ll never miss those plain old mashed potatoes.” —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois.
Cheese ravioli with pumpkin alfredo sauce
“When I first made this cheese ravioli everyone thought: Pumpkin on pasta? Ew! But once they tasted it, they couldn’t believe how much they liked it! A warm, comforting delicious blend of flavors.” —Cheri Neustifter, Sturtevant, Wisconsin. These are the essential recipes you should know before you turn 35.
Pumpkin-curry chicken over cashew rice
“This is truly a dish that combines international flavors with homespun comfort. The sweet curry aroma alone will warm hearts on gray-sky days. For more veggie goodness, add roasted cauliflower.” —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Sausage-stuffed pumpkins
“Baking a meal in a pumpkin—what a fun fall idea! To serve, cut the pumpkin into wedges, giving each person both pumpkin and stuffing.” —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Roasted pumpkin nachos
“Previously, I had made this dish with black beans and corn off the cob in the summer. Wanting to try it with fresh fall ingredients, I replaced the corn with roasted pumpkin—yum! It’s also good with butternut squash.” —Lesle Harwood, Douglassville, Pennsylvania.
Pasta squiggles with pumpkin sauce
“My family loves this spiral pasta in a tasty pumpkin sauce. Make it for Halloween and call it Creepy-Crawly Noodles!” —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Roasted pumpkin and Brussel sprouts
“While traveling to Taiwan, I had the pleasure of trying a unique vegetable dish that included fresh pumpkin. It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts.” —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania
Savory pumpkin quiche
“This quiche satisfies a seasonal craving I get for all things pumpkin. Fresh mushrooms add flavor, and I try different types like baby portobello and cremini mushrooms.” —Rachel Garcia, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Avoid these baking mistakes you are probably making.
Pumpkin gnocchi in sage butter
“For a delicious autumn spin on an Italian classic, try this hearty, seasonal gnocchi. Sage and garlic butter sauce complements the pumpkin wonderfully.” —Donna Mosca Kahler, Jupiter, Florida
Black bean and pumpkin chili
“This is my kind of chili—thick and hearty. Try sweet potato or butternut squash instead of pumpkin, and serve over quinoa, barley, brown rice, or farro.” —Jean Ecos, Hartland, WI
Pumpkin hummus
“Our home economists give traditional hummus an autumn appeal with the addition of canned pumpkin. Hot pepper sauce lends just the right amount of heat.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
Pumpkin wontons with butterscotch sauce
“As a change from the usual pumpkin pie or cake, we created these deliciously different wontons. The butterscotch sauce would also taste great over ice cream.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Baked pumpkin goat cheese alfredo with bacon
“This is a unique and delicious pasta, perfect for fall. I made this for my girlfriends, and everyone asked for the recipe!” —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Pumpkin seed cheese ball
“Save some of your home-roasted pumpkin seeds to coat this creamy onion spread from our home economists.” —Taste of Home.
Pumpkin-cranberry cake donuts
“Pumpkin and cranberry really say holiday in these moist, spiced-filled doughnuts. They are so good—try not to eat them all in one sitting!” —Carolyn Cope, Allston, Maryland
Pumpkin cranberry cheesecake
“One Thanksgiving, I was eating pumpkin pie and decided to have some cranberry sauce with it. I loved the combination so much, I experimented and came up with a two-tone cheesecake that has a ruby-red layer at the bottom.” —John Abraham, Boca Raton, Florida.
Pumpkin sage beurre noisette cookies
“In a world of pumpkin spice flavor, these fluffy cookies are my top choice. The infusion of fresh sage gives them a surprising savory note. You can use mashed sweet potatoes or yams instead of the pumpkin if you prefer.” —Jill LeMasters, Ravenna, Ohio
Creamy pumpkin polenta
“Sometimes I like to hollow out a pumpkin and serve this creamy, hearty polenta inside it. The salted pumpkin seeds add a fun crunch.” —Debi George, Mansfield, Texas
Pumpkin sloppy joes
“When my oldest granddaughter gave me eight of the 50 pumpkins she grew in her backyard, I didn’t know how I’d use them all up! Then I remembered this recipe from a dear friend—I’m glad I tried it. I froze some of the pumpkin to use in this and other recipes, and also froze some of the sloppy joe mixture to enjoy later.” —Eleanor McReynolds, Scott City, Kansas.
Pumpkin tiramisu
“Tiramisu is a classic dessert that everyone enjoys. For a more fall flavor, try this version, which features a creamy pumpkin filling and sweet spices.” —Holly Billings, Battlefield, Missouri
Peter Peter pumpkin bars
“Sweet tooths will polish off these wonderful bars. They have a delicious orange frosting and can be decorated with candy pumpkins.” —Barb Schlafer, Appleton, Wisconsin
Pumpkin cream of wheat
“This autumn-inspired breakfast tastes like pumpkin pie—without the guilt! Double the recipe if you feel like sharing.” —Amy Bashtovoi, Sidney, Nebraska
Pumpkin scones with berry butter
“These delightful scones are perfect on a cold winter day with a steaming hot cup of coffee. They also make a wonderful hostess gift arranged in a basket.” —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona. Before you start cooking, make sure you know about these cooking mistakes that ruin your food.
