10 Savory Pumpkin Recipes You Have to Try This Fall

Posted: September 27, 2021 1:43 pm

Pumpkin is Not Just for Sweet Treats

‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin. While most people think of pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, and other sweet favorites, this versatile gourd can also be used in a myriad of savory fall recipes. You can also find recipes that use both fresh pumpkin and the canned variety, making it easy to suit your personal preferences and needs. Here are 10 of the best savory pumpkin recipes to try this fall.

Pumpkin and Pesto Crostini

Hosting a dinner party event this fall and want the perfect appetizer to get your meal off to a festive start? Try this innovative pumpkin and pesto crostini recipe. Sliced pumpkin, burrata, and pecans sit atop toasted rye bread. This creation is then topped with a fresh pesto sauce. This crostini makes an elegant passed appetizer or a fun fall-inspired twist on classic bruschetta. You can also substitute butternut squash for the pumpkin or use a mixture of the two.

Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili

Fall and chili go together like peas and carrots. There is nothing quite like a bowl of this vegetarian pumpkin chili to warm up with while you watch your favorite football team in action. The chili boasts pinto beans, kidney beans, peppers, sweet potatoes, and a host of spices. The addition of canned pumpkin creates a creamy texture that delivers a dose of earthiness. This recipe is both gluten-free and vegan, making it a great choice for people with specific dietary needs. Pair this chili with your favorite cornbread recipe and your next meal is set.

Pumpkin Soup

You owe it yourself to whip up a batch of this delicious pumpkin soup. This classic soup recipe has the perfect texture and is full of flavor. You can use either fresh pumpkin or canned puree in this recipe. While the recipe calls for cream, you can also use milk if you are watching your calories. Prepare this recipe as is or kick it up a notch with the addition of the spice of your choice. Good choices include curry powder, ginger, or turmeric. However you choose to prepare it, the dish is full of vitamin A and other nutrients. Be sure to serve it with some crusty bread for dipping.

Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese

For another mouthwatering fall comfort food, try this pumpkin risotto with goat cheese recipe. This dish makes a great meal any time of the week. Or try it as an unconventional Thanksgiving side dish. The recipe calls for arborio rice, canned pumpkin puree, parmesan cheese, goat cheese, and dried cranberries. You can also consider topping it with some chopped pecans for an added crunch. While you have to babysit the risotto a bit to achieve the perfect consistency, it is well worth your time.

Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Looking for a tasty pasta dish with a fall flavor profile? Be sure to put these pumpkin and ricotta stuffed shells at the top of your list. The jumbo pasta shells are filled with a mixture of canned pure pumpkin, whole-milk ricotta cheese, pecorino cheese, garlic, and sage. This is all topped with tomato basil pasta sauce. Feel free to use your own favorite pasta sauce. You could even try a meat sauce if you want a heartier dish. This meal pairs beautifully with a garden salad and garlic bread for a delicious Italian feast that leans on the best tastes of fall with the pumpkin and sage.

Curried Pumpkin and Peas

Spice up your normal meal routine with this curried pumpkin and peas recipe. In addition to fresh pumpkin, this recipe uses red potatoes and peas for a healthy meal. While the recipe calls for chicken broth, you can also use vegetable broth if you want to go vegetarian with this dish. The curry adds a delightful kick to this comforting dish. Serve it all over rice or with thick slices of bread. This dish will warm you up on all levels.

Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie

Add another dimension of flavor to the typical sheperd’s pie with this pumpkin shepherd’s pie twist. The base of the pie includes onion, brussels sprouts, ground turkey, bacon, and cranberry sauce. This goodness is topped with cheesy pumpkin mashed potatoes to create a unique version of this comfort food favorite. This dish uses all of the quintessential flavors of Thanksgiving, signaling that fall is definitely here. You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before popping it into the oven if you need a make-ahead meal for busy nights.

Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad

You will not regret putting the time and effort into this roasted pumpkin quinoa salad. Serve this as a side salad along with a roasted turkey or chicken. Or eat it on its own as the star of your meal. In addition to the roasted pumpkin and quinoa, the salad includes red onion, fresh mint, maple syrup, and more. All of this is topped with dry roasted hazelnuts, pepitas, and pomegranate seeds. Not only does this dish taste like fall, but it looks like fall as well.

Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus

This smoky chipotle pumpkin hummus dip will be a hit at your next girl’s night. This healthy dip combines the flavors of chickpeas, tahini, pure pumpkin puree, chipotle chiles, cumin, and paprika to deliver a savory appetizer. Good dippers for this hummus include carrots, celery, snap peas, crackers, or crostinis. Best of all, you can pull this hummus dip together in minutes. You cannot go wrong with an appetizer that is both healthy and easy to make.

Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Want to find a new way to sneak some veggies into your family’s diet? Try this pumpkin mac and cheese with bacon recipe. This creamy masterpiece includes canned pumpkin, bacon, fontina cheese, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, sage, and more. Kids will not even realize that their favorite macaroni and cheese is packed full of nutritious pumpkin.

You will never look at pumpkin again in the same way once you try all of these savory recipes. Make the most out of this time of year by adding these recipes to your list of new dishes to try in the coming months.

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