Our Best Fresh Pumpkin Recipes
Updated: Nov. 23, 2023
From pumpkin pie to an indulgent plate of pumpkin ravioli, these fresh pumpkin recipes will make you forget all about those cans of pumpkin puree!
Fresh Pumpkin Pie
In my opinion, there’s no contest as to which homemade pumpkin pie is best. No matter how good your canned filling is, it will never match pumpkin pie from scratch. —Christy Harp, Massillon, Ohio
Roasted Fall Vegetables
I love serving this tender veggie side dish as part of a comforting dinner on a chilly night. The cayenne pepper lends zippy flavor that’s not overpowering. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins
With only 30 minutes of prep time and the oven doing all the heavy lifting, this protein-rich fresh pumpkin recipe is ideal for dinner on a busy weeknight. Don’t forget to save the guts to make roasted pumpkin seeds.
Fresh Pumpkin Soup
This appealing soup harvests the fall flavors of just-picked pumpkins and tart apples and is sure to warm you up on a crisp autumn day. I top the creamy puree with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds. —Jane Shapton, Irvine, CaliforniaCooked on low for over eight hours, this fresh pumpkin soup recipe by Jane Shapton of Irvine, California, is creamy, tart, and nothing short of comfort in a bowl. Finish the dish with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg just before serving. You can also learn how to make this pumpkin soup vegan-friendly with a few tweaks.
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Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
I had previously 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, PennsylvaniaReplacing corn for roasted pumpkin turns these fully loaded nachos into the perfect fall appetizer. All out of pumpkin? Recipe creator Lesle Harwood of Douglassville, Pennsylvania, recommends making this fresh pumpkin recipe using butternut squash instead.
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Potato Pumpkin Mash
No more plain white mashed potatoes for us! I swirl fresh pumpkin into potatoes for a little extra holiday color. — Michelle Medley, Dallas, TexasElevate your mashed potatoes with pureed pumpkin this Thanksgiving! Not only does this easy fresh pumpkin recipe by Michelle Medley of Dallas, Texas, add a pop of color to the table, but swirling together mashed vegetables results in an Instagram-worthy dish.
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Buttermilk Pumpkin Waffles
My girlfriend loves pumpkin, so I enjoy making these fluffy pumpkin waffles for her on cool Sunday mornings. —Charles Insler, Silver Spring, MarylandReady in 25 minutes, these buttermilk pumpkin waffles have to be one of the easiest fresh pumpkin recipes to make for breakfast. Whipped up too large a batch? Freeze waffles between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container and pop them in a toaster to reheat.
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Chicken with Sugar Pumpkins & Apricots
When we have family gatherings, we give the slow cooker kitchen duty. This yummy chicken with pumpkin and apricots has the warm flavors of Morocco. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels 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, PennsylvaniaThis warm fall salad by Pam Correll of Brockport, Pennsylvania, is all about balance—soft, roasted bits of pumpkin pair exceptionally well with the crunchy, nutty flavor of the Brussels sprouts. A dash of balsamic vinegar adds sweetness and rounds out this unique recipe.
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Savory Pumpkin Ravioli
This pumpkin ravioli recipe may sound complicated, but if you organize yourself, it really isn't. The result will be pure pumpkin heaven. I like to sprinkle the ravioli with Parmesan as well. You can also add salt and pepper to taste to the rich, sage sauce. —Christopher Presutti, Jacksonville, Florida
Scented Rice in Baked Pumpkin
This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suit your taste—it’s impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri
Pumpkin and Plantain Mash
Beautiful and simple to prepare, this pumpkin-and-plantain mash is perfectly flavored with roasted garlic and caramelized shallots. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine
Sausage-Stuffed Pumpkins
Baking a meal in a pumpkin is such a fun fall idea! To serve the dish, cut the pumpkin into wedges, giving each person both pumpkin and stuffing. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
