12 of Our BEST Fresh Pumpkin Recipes (2024)

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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!

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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

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2/15

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

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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.

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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, California

Cooked 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 thispumpkin soup vegan-friendly with a few tweaks.

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5/15

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, Pennsylvania

Replacing 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, Texas

Elevate 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, Maryland

Ready 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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8/15

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

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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, Pennsylvania

This 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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10/15

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

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Pumpkin Mousse in a Pumpkin

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Pumpkin Patch Pie

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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

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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

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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

Christabel is a freelance writer and illustrator who specializes in all things food and travel. As a restaurant expert, she always knows the best place to grab a bite wherever she is in the world. Growing up in Dubai as a third-culture kid and then moving to the United States has given her the ability to effortlessly and empathetically write about many cultures and cuisines. She brings that firsthand experience to her food writing at Taste of Home, specializing in sharing recipes, techniques and great dishes from around the world. Her writing has also been published in Allrecipes, EatingWell, Lonely Planet and many more.