15 Easy Pumpkin Puree Recipes From Creamy Pasta to Pumpkin Tiramisu
Canned pumpkin puree is a tried-and-true shortcut for pumpkin pie and beyond. Put a can of pumpkin to use with these sweet and savory recipes.
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
When it comes to time-saving ingredients, few things can compete with a can of pumpkin puree. While you can certainly roast your own pumpkin for Classic Pumpkin Pie and other pumpkin dishes, canned puree cuts the prep time considerably and is often even preferred for its consistent texture (no stringy bits!) and flavor. Plus, you can use it to add earthy, slightly sweet flavor to dishes year-round.
Most canned pumpkin puree is made from the flesh of Dickinson pumpkins, also known as Dickinson squash. These tan pumpkins are much larger than field or carving pumpkins (aka the kind used for jack-o-lanterns), and have dense, sweet flesh compared to other varieties. When you're using pumpkin puree in sweet and savory dishes, make sure to buy unsweetened pumpkin puree and not cans labeled as pumpkin pie filling, which is pre-sweetened and includes added spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
These are our favorite ways to use a can of pumpkin puree, from weeknight pastas to effortless desserts.
Coconut Pumpkin Chicken Curry
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
Thanks to canned pumpkin and coconut milk, this fragrant curry comes together in under an hour. Browned skinless chicken thighs and a can of chickpeas make it hearty enough for dinner.
Pumpkin Bread
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne
Bring the scents of fall into your kitchen with this warmly-spiced pumpkin bread, which includes just 25 minutes of hands-on time. It's lightly sweetened with brown sugar, making it perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Diana Chistruga
This rich and flavorful soup relies on a can of pumpkin puree and a generous amount of heavy cream for its luscious texture. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add extra coziness, while cayenne brings in a little heat.
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
These moist cupcakes include canned pumpkin and lots of cozy fall spices in the batter. They're balanced by a tangy cream cheese frosting and crunchy pumpkin seed garnish.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
The creamy and smoky sauce for this pasta dish gets whipped up in just a few minutes with pumpkin puree, butter, toasted rosemary, and bacon. Toss with pasta for an elegant weeknight meal.
Pumpkin Soup with Thai Red Curry Paste and Lemongrass
Thai red curry paste and canned pumpkin puree both add lots of flavor to the base of this fragrant soup. Coconut milk gives it an extra-creamy texture while lemongrass, ginger, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice brighten the flavors of each spoonful.
Pumpkin Praline Bars
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
These simple spiced pumpkin bars from chef Ouita Michel get their dense and cakey texture from canned pumpkin puree. A sweet icing and crunchy praline topping contrast beautifully with the earthy pumpkin cake layer.
Pumpkin-Banana Bread French Toast
Canned pumpkin adds earthy flavor to homemade banana bread, which gets transformed into decadent French toast. Dipped in a spiced custard and cooked in butter, the bread gets irresistibly crispy on the outside.
Pumpkin Tiramisu
A silky pumpkin mascarpone mousse made with canned pumpkin gives this Italian dessert an autumnal spin. It's layered with classic espresso-soaked ladyfingers for a pumpkin spice latte-esque flavor.
Pumpkin Hummus
This effortless dip comes together with canned pumpkin and chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips or crudités.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie
Bakers Emily Elsen and Melissa Elsen recommend canned pumpkin for this pie due to its consistent flavor and texture. The addition of browned butter in the filling gives their pumpkin pie riff a slight butterscotch flavor.
Spicy Cheddar and Pumpkin Orzo with Arugula
Orzo soaks up a creamy and spicy sauce of pumpkin puree, grated cheddar, chili garlic sauce, mustard, and spices for this simple yet impressive dish. It's brightened up with fresh peppery greens just before serving.
Pumpkin Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Canned pumpkin puree is a simple shortcut to earthy pumpkin flavor in the batter for this gorgeous layer cake. Tangy buttercream frosting perfectly complements the warm spices.
Pumpkin Lasagna
No-boil noodles and canned pumpkin make this cozy dish easy enough for a weeknight. Nutty Parmesan, warm sage and nutmeg, and earthy Swiss chard bring it lots of fall flavor.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Swirl
Pumpkin puree adds autumnal flavor to the simple cheesecake batter for these chocolate-crusted bars. A drizzle of caramel takes them over the top.
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