17 Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Spice Up the Season (2024)

With fall finally upon us and Halloween costume ideas abounding left and right, it’s time for those official icons of fall to reappear on our doorsteps. But pumpkins aren’t just meant to be carved into jack-o’-lanterns — they’re also a perfect base for plenty of delicious recipes. And if you think they’re only good for sweet things like breads and PSLs, think again. There’s a whole world of savory delights out there just waiting for you to dig into and enjoy.

1. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi: A big plate of gnocchi is a perfect indulgence all on its own, but the addition of pumpkin, pancetta and seared radicchio takes this recipe right over the top (and onto our forks). (via The Bojon Gourmet)

2. Simple Pumpkin Soup: This seasonal classic gets a healthy update with the addition of a yummy garlic-sesame-kale topping. Mmm hmm. (via Minimalist Baker)

3. Classic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Who doesn’t love the scent of pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven? This three-ingredient recipe is easy as pie — no pun intended — and brings back sweet childhood memories with every crunch. (via A Beautiful Mess)

4. Roasted Garlic Sage Pesto Pumpkin Soup With Spicy Fried Pumpkin Seeds: This crowd-pleaser is meant for wowing guests at a pitch-perfect dinner party with a roaring fire and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown playing on a makeshift movie screen in the backyard. (via Half Baked Harvest)

5. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate comfort food gets even more comfy when you add a seasonal ingredient like pumpkin with hints of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. We’ll take an extra scoop, thanks. (via Steamy Kitchen)

6. Pumpkin Grilled Cheese: You haven’t truly enjoyed the ultimate remedy for the cold-weather blues until you’ve built it with gruyere and fresh pumpkin. Just try to deny its ooey-gooey goodness. We dare you. (via Macheesmo)

7. Savory Pumpkin & Sage Muffins: Imagine waking up to the perfect breakfast bite in the form of a warm, fresh muffin with an herbal twist. Now you can, thanks to this sage-topped recipe filled with whole wheat goodness that will help you start the day off right. (via Love Food Eat)

8. Pumpkin Quinoa Patties: Pack an extra protein punch in your breakfast patties or dinner sides by pairing pumpkin and quinoa with accents like goat cheese and cayenne pepper. The seasoning pulls it all together with a zesty finish. (via Wendy Polisi)

9. Chickpea + Coconut Korma Curry With Pumpkin: Few things are more soothing on a cold, wet day than a big pot of curry. This recipe marries that coconut milk flavor with bright lime and savory spices, bringing out some serious roasted pumpkin deliciousness. (via Cook Republic)

10. Pumpkin Fritters With Rosemary and Cheese: Rule #1 of living with culinary abandon: Never turn down a fritter. Add the elegance of rosemary, the seasonal delight of pumpkin and some salty Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and you’ve got yourself a little fried piece of heaven. (via What About Second Breakfast?)

11. Pumpkin Feta Tart: Whoever said tarts have to contain berries obviously never tried this crumbly beautiful mess of textures and tastes. If you happen to give it a whirl, save us an extra slice. (via My Kitchen Affair)

12. Golden Trio Chipotle Soup: Pumpkin, sweet potato and butternut squash are basically the holy trinity of fall, so why not combine them into a heavenly vegan soup with tofu to boot? (via Healthy Happy Life)

13. Savory Pumpkin Cornbread Waffles: Cornbread waffles are intriguing enough to start off with, but add pumpkin into the mix and toss a fried egg on top and you’ve got yourself a dish that defies a breakfast, lunch or dinner classification. Eat it whenever you want, no maple syrup necessary. (via Minimalist Baker)

14. Pumpkin Ravioli With Hazelnut Brown Butter Sauce: It’s a known fact that brown butter sauce can make anything taste amazing. Put it together with a flavorful fall pasta and delectable hazelnuts and it’s bound to make you say “mmm.” (via Will Cook for Friends)

15. Creamy Maple Bacon Pumpkin Risotto: Just look at those four ingredients: maple, bacon, pumpkin and risotto. If that’s not a party in your mouth, we don’t know what is. (via Pineapple & Coconut)

16. Pumpkin Pasta With Parmesan and Sage: This easy-to-fix pasta dish is perfect for busy autumn nights when the sun goes down early and you’re still finishing up work. As a bonus, you can make it vegan just by skipping the parmesan. Easy peasy! (via Bake Your Day)

17. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese: We can’t talk about cold-weather recipes without mentioning good old-fashioned mac and cheese. It’s made with pumpkin, onions, spices and breadcrumbs,…aaaand, we’ve officially reached comfort-food nirvana. (via Well Plated)

Which of these are you trying out first? Dish in the comments below!

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17 Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Spice Up the Season (2024)

FAQs

What savory spices go with pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin is notorious for pairing well with warm winter spices – as found in a variety of Moroccan-inspired cuisines. Try incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cumin and chilli with your pumpkin dishes for flavour-packed feasts.

What brings out the flavor of pumpkin? ›

Cook It on the Stove

Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.

What Flavours pair well with pumpkin? ›

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

What spice adds a savory flavor? ›

Thyme – Thyme is one of the most popular spices in the world. Its taste is also the closest to that of savory, with the same minty flavor. To add, you can even substitute it in a 1:1 ratio. You can use either dried or fresh thyme for your cooking.

What are good savory spices? ›

Herbes de Provence.

Savory is a main herb alongside marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Add it prior to or during cooking. Herbes de Provence are often sprinkled over meats and fishes before grilling or roasting, or added to oils to create a cooking base full of flavor.

What main two chemicals gives pumpkin spice its flavor? ›

The major and common ingredient in pumpkin spice lattes include: cinnamic aldehydes for cinnamon, eugenol for clove or allspice, terpenes such as sabinene for nutmeg, and zingiberene for ginger. They may also contain vanillin and cyclotene for the burnt butter or maple notes to round off the flavor.

Is there a difference between pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice? ›

Pumpkin pie spice is the same as pumpkin spice, just under different labeling. These two are interchangeable and feature the same base ingredients. The ratio of the ingredients may vary slightly from brand to brand.

Why does my pumpkin pie taste bland? ›

If the recipe doesn't use enough spice, or if the spices were old enough to have lost much of their flavour, or if the mixture isn't well balanced, then the pie is not going to taste right and could be quite bland.

What is the most flavorful pumpkin? ›

The Sugar Pie Pumpkin is often considered the crème de la crème of cooking pumpkins. Its deep orange flesh is sweet, smooth, and creamy, making it perfect for pies, soups, and purees. This culinary gem pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating irresistible autumnal flavors.

What season is pumpkin flavor? ›

Every year around early September is the unofficial start of “pumpkin season.” You know, the time when brands trot out pumpkin-flavored everything, from desserts to hummus to yogurt to coffee to, I kid you not – pumpkin scented trash bags.

What fruit tastes like pumpkin? ›

Although it originated in Southern Mexico, the mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) is beloved in tropical areas across the world, especially in the Caribbean. Eaten fresh, the orange-fleshed fruit has a taste that some compare to a brown sugar-covered sweet potato, with notes of pumpkin, caramel and cantaloupe.

What is the meat of the pumpkin called? ›

The pulp is part of the pumpkin fruit that we eat, and is often called the 'meat' of the pumpkin. This is what is used to cook soups, pies, bread, and other yummy treats!

What proteins go well with pumpkin? ›

Like all sweet and creamy textures, pumpkin loves the savoury flavour of bacon, fried until crisp and sprinkled on top of a pumpkin and potato puree. Grilled pork goes well with pumpkin. Beef is also a great protein for pumpkin dishes.

What is the best pumpkin to bake and eat? ›

The best type of pumpkin for cooking and baking

Instead, I recommend using a pie pumpkin or sugar pumpkin (pictured above). During the fall and winter seasons, most stores will have them available. Try to pick pumpkins between 3-6 pounds — that's usually when the flesh is best.

Does allspice go with pumpkin? ›

I like my homemade pumpkin pie spice to be heavy on the cinnamon and ginger, with just a little kick from allspice and cloves.

What herbs go with savory? ›

Herbs and Seasoning: basil, dill, cumin, fennel, marjoram, parsley, thyme.

What are the two main types of savoury spices? ›

There are two main varieties of savory: summer and winter. We sell summer savory grown in Nova Scotia, which is similar in flavour to winter but is more subtle and delicate. Savory is pungent and peppery, which makes it perfect for long-cooked dishes. It is frequently paired with beans, especially in German cooking.

What savory spices go with cinnamon? ›

Perhaps most popular in baking, at least in the United States, the bold flavor is also excellent in many savory dishes. Since cinnamon is known for its place in baked goods, it's not surprising that cinnamon pairs excellently with other warming spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

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