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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Amy Lynch

Amy is a freelance writer and editor, telling the stories of progressive people and projects that move the world forward. Her work has appeared on The Hairpin, Refinery29, Citygram and more, and she's developed content for the likes of Alternative Apparel, Milkshake and Silvercar. She lives, works and plays with her fiancé and their dog, Bogey, in the weird, wild heart of Austin, Texas.

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

FAQs

What savory flavors go 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 spices enhance 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? ›

"It's actually a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves." Pumpkin flavoring actually harkens back to the pilgrims, Cundiff says. "In the early 1600s, pumpkins were a source of vitamins and minerals and used in a multitude of dishes prepared to help nourish the pilgrims," Cundiff says.

Which herbs go well with pumpkin? ›

Ingredients
  • Pumpkin, cut into thick slices.
  • Oregano.
  • Rosemary.
  • Thyme.
  • Coriander.
  • Dill.
  • Salt.
  • Pepper.

What spice adds a savory flavor? ›

Allspice, anise, basil, oregano, dill, coriander, black pepper, mustard, celery seed, rosemary, red pepper/cyan, garlic, onion, and paprika just to name a few. I hope that helps in what you're looking for. While onion can be savory it can also add sweetness to a rub or in a sauce.

How do you add savory flavor? ›

  1. Onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms and all kinds of peppers are natural flavour enhancers. Lemon and lime juice perk things up too. ...
  2. Herbs help too. Try chopping up some fresh basil to go on fresh tomatoes with olive oil and black pepper. ...
  3. Good luck! We've been doing low salt (though not salt-free) meals for a long time.
Dec 3, 2023

How do you add flavor to pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin Spice Mix Recipe
  1. ⅓ cup ground cinnamon.
  2. 1½ tablespoons ground ginger.
  3. 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg.
  4. 1½ teaspoons ground cloves.
  5. 1½ teaspoons ground allspice.
Oct 13, 2020

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.

What can I do with tasteless pumpkins? ›

I like to roast wedges of pumpkin which helps to reduce the moisture content, making it taste richer and sweeter. You can flavour the pumpkin at this point by rubbing it with a spice of choice. Place a couple of halved onions to cook with the pumpkin to either use in the soup or as a garnish.

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 does cinnamon do for pumpkins? ›

Covering the inside of your pumpkin with cinnamon can help inhibit mold growth. The ingredients that make the spice flammable, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, also have antifungal and antibacterial properties that prevent mold and bacteria growth. Cinnamon is also a great pest repellent, as bugs can't stand the scent.

What does pumpkin spice do to your body? ›

The spices in pumpkin spice have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce chronic inflammation. Boosts the immune system: Some of the spices in pumpkin spice, such as ginger and cloves, have immune-boosting properties. This means that they may help to protect your body from infection.

What meat tastes good with pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin will go well with any roast fowl, so turkey, chicken, cornish hens and the like are all good choices. I've had spicy pumpkin puree with lamb and pork, both a good combo. And you can make pumpkin soup as a main course or as an appetizer.

What is the best pairing for pumpkin pie? ›

Pumpkin Pie

The hallmark of the holiday dessert table. To make your pumpkin pie taste shiny and bright, pair it with an Oloroso Sherry. Sweet and nutty, this fortified Spanish dessert wine will enhance the addictive autumn flavor of your pumpkin pie. Another great pairing for pumpkin pie is Tawny Port.

What fruit flavors go with pumpkin? ›

Be sure to pick your favorites, start small with the recipe and see which fruit you want to go with your pumpkin recipe.
  • Orange.
  • Lime.
  • Blood orange.
  • Pears.
  • Apples.
  • Raisins.
  • Craisins.
  • Cranberry.
Jun 17, 2022

What are examples of savoury Flavours? ›

  • Potato.
  • Rosemary & Potato.
  • Sage & Onion.
  • Sweetcorn.
  • Teriyaki.
  • Tomato & Basil.
  • Umami.
  • Beetroot.

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