The Best Quick and Easy Savory Pumpkin Recipes (2024)

Pumpkin is such a versatile ingredient and is in abundance during the fall. There's only so much pumpkin pie that we can eat during Thanksgiving, and these quick and easy savory pumpkin recipes are a great way to enjoy this seasonal squash.

These fun and simple recipe ideas will make you fall in love with pumpkins all over again! From breakfast to dinner, appetizers and side dishes, you'll find recipes for comforting and easy weeknight meals or serving something up deliciously special if you are hosting Thanksgiving.

The Best Quick and Easy Savory Pumpkin Recipes (1)

This post was first published in October 2016 and has been updated with more delicious recipes!

This list of savory pumpkin recipes range from healthy to indulgent, and you'll find a lot of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan recipes for those with dietary restrictions.

Get pastas, pizzas, soups and dips to enjoy throughout fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Whether you have a fresh whole pumpkin ready for roasting, or a can of leftover puree, you'll be able to put them to good use with these easy and tasty recipes.

If you are after something a little sweeter, be sure to check out my Pumpkin Spice French Toast and Fireball Whiskey Pumpkin Pie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pumpkins healthy?

Pumpkins are packed with nutrients and are very low in calories and fats and are loaded with vitamin A, beta carotene and antioxidants. They are high in fiber and a can of pumpkin puree comes in under 20g of carbs. They are naturally low in sugar, gluten-free and vegan. If you want more nutritional details, be sure to check out this pumpkin nutritional article.

What does pumpkin taste like?

Similar to other winter squashes, like butternut, pumpkin has a mild flavor with hints of earthy and buttery sweetness. When cooked in stews and soups, they tend to taste a little similar to sweet potatoes, and when roasted they become more nutty and sweet.

When are pumpkins in season?

Pumpkins are harvested in early fall, and they are in stores throughout September to November, making them ideal for Halloween and Thanksgiving menus. Canned pumpkin puree is a great option to use when the season is over.

Pumpkin Varieties

There are over 150 varieties of pumpkin, but these are the most common:

Jack O'Lantern: These are a larger variety and they are most commonly used for carving for Halloween decorations. Their flesh is less flavorful, but still edible. When you carve them, be sure to save the pumpkin seeds for healthy snacking!
Pie Pumpkins: These are smaller and most commonly used in cooking. They have a sweeter and less watery flesh.
Miniature: These are mainly used for fall decoration, but they are edible, and you'll find a great recipe for these below!
Giant: The huge pumpkins are edible, but they are much less flavorful due to their size.

How to choose the ideal pumpkin

Ripe pumpkins should have a smooth and firm skin and they should sound hollow when you tap them. They should be free from blemishes, and if choosing an orange pumpkin, they should be a bright and even color with a green stem.

Pumpkin Puree vs Fresh Whole Pumpkin

These savory pumpkin recipes include options for fresh pumpkin as well as canned pumpkin puree. The canned pumpkin puree you get in stores is very convenient and much quicker to prep, but for these savory recipes, be sure to buy a pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie puree which has sugars and spices added.

You can make your own pumpkin puree by baking and then processing the pumpkin, but be warned, it can be more watery than store bought, so be careful what recipes you use it in.

The Best Quick and Easy Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Blue Cheese and Sage

This quick and easy pasta sauce is a tasty way to make the most of canned pumpkin puree. This creamy pumpkin pasta sauce is flavored with blue cheese and sage for a simple and delicious family weeknight meal.

(Roasted) Baked Pumpkin with Garlic and Sage

Pumpkin slices are roasted with garlic and sage butter for a delicious and indulgent thanksgiving veggie side. Easy to make with little effort needed!

Pumpkin Pizza with blue cheese

This pumpkin pizza is the perfect savory fall treat! Quick and easy to make, it's topped with blue cheese and loaded with tasty and crunchy toppings like walnuts and roasted sprout leaves. This pizza packs a flavour punch!