10 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall That Go Beyond Pie

Enjoy the best flavors of autumn—from soup to pie.

beef pumpkin shiitake soup
Credit:

Christopher Testani

Fresh pumpkins offer a world of culinary possibilities beyond their decorative appeal, providing delicious autumn flavors for a variety of dishes from soups to pies. Unlike the field pumpkins used for carving, sugar and cheese pumpkins have dense, sweet flesh that makes them ideal for cooking and baking. To preserve their freshness, whole pumpkins can be stored in a cool spot for up to a month—or in a cellar for up to three months—while cut pieces should be refrigerated and used within five days. Dive into these fresh pumpkin recipes to explore seasonal favorites and enjoy the rich taste of fall.

Choose sugar pumpkins or cheese pumpkins for cooking due to their dense, sweet flesh. Avoid field pumpkins, commonly used for carving, as they have watery, stringy flesh not recommended for eating.

01 of 10

Mashed Potatoes With Pumpkin and Greens

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Credit: Mike Krautter

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

02 of 10

Pumpkin and Pecorino Gratin

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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.

03 of 10

Pumpkin Pie

pumpkin pie
Credit: Anna Williams

We're sneaking a pie into this collection of fresh pumpkin recipes because it's made with fresh—not canned—pumpkin and is just so good. This pie has a 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.

04 of 10

Roasted Pumpkin

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Credit: Raymond Hom

Our recipe for basic roasted pumpkin is simple and 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 for other recipes.

05 of 10

Roasted Squash, Apple, and Cipollini Onion Salad

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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.

06 of 10

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

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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.

07 of 10

Coconut, Fish, and Pumpkin Stew

Caribbean Fish-and-Pumpkin Stew recipe
Credit: Lennart Weibull

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.

08 of 10

White Bean and Sausage Stew in Pumpkin Bowls

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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.

09 of 10

Beef, Pumpkin, and Shiitake Soup

beef pumpkin and shiitake soup served with fresh basil
Credit: Christopher Testani

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.

10 of 10

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

spiced pumpkin seeds
Credit: Raymond Hom

Wondering what to do with those pumpkin seeds leftover from your recipes? While you can use store-bought pepitas, try baking or roasting the seeds from fresh pumpkin and season them to your liking, just like we did here with cinnamon, cayenne, cumin, and honey.

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