Pumpkins, the quirky orange fruit that is synonymous with sweater weather, may as well be the poster child for the autumn season. Every year as temperatures begin to drop everything "pumpkin" begins to pop up. Whether it is in pies on bakery shelves, as decorations on front stoops, or as a popular coffee shop flavoring, pumpkins seem to be everywhere come fall.
If you need some fresh new ideas of what to do with all that extra pumpkin you may have lying around this season, there are only so many pumpkin pies one can make, read ahead. From pumpkin marinara sauce to pumpkin chicken chili, and beyond, here are 12 fun ways to use pumpkin in your next fall meal. Plus, bookmark our45+ Best Soups and Chilis to Make With a Rotisserie Chicken.
Pumpkin Marinara
This pumpkin marinara is a great recipe to try out when you want to break out of the traditional tomato sauce mold. Made using ingredients such as tomato paste, canned pumpkin, and minced garlic, this fragrant sauce tastes great spread over pizza dough or tossed into spaghetti.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin Marinara.
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Pumpkin Potato Mash
Mashed potatoes, the ultimate comfort food, get an exciting twist when canned pumpkin and light sour cream are introduced into the mix. This indulgent dish, which can be easily prepared in approximately half an hour, works great as a Thanksgiving side.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin Potato Mash.
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Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie Bites
Fall is known for its pumpkin pies, but why not go against the grain and do a little something different with your canned pumpkin and bake some brownies? Decadent, fudgy, and only 54 calories each, these pumpkin brownie bites are the perfect way to end any meal.
Get our recipe for Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie Bites.
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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Slow cooker chili pairs well with chilly fall evenings and cozy couch nights. This recipe, which features a combination of garbanzo beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and chopped red sweet pepper, is given an autumn update when canned pumpkin is introduced.
Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili.
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Sweet Pumpkin Ravioli
If you are a fan of traditional ricotta-filled ravioli then you have to give these sweet pumpkin ones a try. Made using pumpkin puree, whole milk ricotta, and a blend of different spices, such as ginger and nutmeg, this sweet and savory dish puts a twist on an old classic. Hint: This recipe uses premade wrappers, instead of making dough from scratch, which can help cut back significantly on prep time.
Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you are looking for a dessert for this Thanksgiving season that is both delicious and unexpected then you should try out this pumpkin cheesecake recipe. Made using a crunchy gingersnap cookie crust, a pumpkin spice swirl, and salted caramel sauce, this cheesecake knocks it out of the ballpark.
Get the recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
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Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Tortilla Soup
This smooth pumpkin chicken tortilla soup is a great dish to add to your dinner recipe rotation. Made using Zoup! chicken broth, pumpkin puree, black beans, and plain Greek yogurt, this comforting dish can also easily be made vegan and gluten-free with just a few simple substitutions.
Get the recipe from Kim's Cravings.
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Roast Pumpkin Spinach and Feta Salad
Common fall vegetables, such as kale and beets, are no strangers to salads—so why not roast some pumpkin and throw it onto a bed of greens, as well? This undeniably refreshing salad, which is made using baby spinach, crumbled feta, and chunks of perfectly prepared pumpkin, is lightly dressed with a tangy honey balsamic dressing that you can make right at home.
Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
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Vegan Pumpkin Mac 'N Cheese
This velvety macaroni and cheese recipe proves that you don't need heaps of cheese and butter to create a delicious dish. This plant-based rendition of the iconic comfort food gets its cheesy flavor when cooked penne is tossed in a mixture of nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, and almond milk.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
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Chipotle Pumpkin Soup
The sweethearts of fall produce—pumpkins and apples—team up to create a smoky chipotle soup that overflows with flavor. Prepared using pumpkin puree, coconut milk, chipotle powder, and paprika, this delicious soup is served in adorable hollowed-out acorn squash bowls.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake
This pumpkin sheet cake is perfect if you need a cake to help celebrate a fall birthday or would like to prepare a mouthwatering, easy-to-make dessert for the holiday season. Chock full of ground nutmeg and brown sugar and slathered in a cinnamon cream cheese frosting, this recipe can feed up to 12 people.
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
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Vegan Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast
If you are someone who opts for a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning, be sure to try out this vegan pumpkin quinoa breakfast bowl. Filled with pumpkin puree, coconut milk, ground ginger, pumpkin spice, and maple syrup, this recipe proves that quinoa can be enjoyed beyond savory dishes.
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Get more of our delicious and cozy fall recipes:
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