15 Favorite Pumpkin Recipes: Both Sweet and Savory!

Pumpkin is a fall superstar. This orange vegetable boosts your immune system in time for winter, promotes heart and skin health, helps digestion, and is rich in vitamins. Sure, we’re often pairing pumpkin with baked goods, but isn’t it nice to know you’ve snuck some wholesome goodness into those tasty recipes?

Which Pumpkins Can You Eat?

Technically, you can eat any variety of pumpkin or squash.

• The best type of “cooking” type of pumpkin is called a “sugar pumpkin” (also called pie pumpkins). They’re round and small. 
• Another wonderful edible pumpkin is called the “Long Island Cheese Pumpkin” which is oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese. It has a smooth texture that works well with pumpkin pie.
• The Halloween carving pumpkins that are usually used for decoration are certainly edible but they are bred to be large so they tend be thin-fleshed. We’ve eaten some good carving pumpkins as well as some that are watery with stringy flesh. They’re probably best used in a stew or soup. 

See more about How to Cook With Pumpkin.

Image: Sugar pumpkins aka pie pumpkins

Our Favorite Pumpkin Recipes

1. Blue Ribbon Pumpkin Pie

This recipe won a blue ribbon at the Goshen (Connecticut) Fair—thus the name. The pumpkin pie is nice and firm, not too custardy. It’s just a basic pie recipe, but the crust turns out well. Appearance and taste count most at the fair.

Photo credit: Brent Hofacker/shutterstock

2. Pumpkin Walnut Cake

This melt-in-your-mouth Pumpkin Walnut Cake has the hint of spice that belongs with pumpkin and a distinct nuttiness thanks to crunchy walnuts. Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Photo Credit: MShev/shutterstock

3. Pumpkin Pancakes 

We are crazy about these Pumpkin Pancakes. We couldn’t believe how delicious they tasted. Could it be the secret ingredient (bacon drippings)? They’re the perfect pancake recipe for the fall season and also a big hit with guests.

Photo Credit: vm2002/shutterstock

4. Pumpkin Hummus

This recipe was a winner in the annual Old Farmer’s Almanac contest. Doesn’t it look beautiful? 

Photo Credit: zi3000/shutterstock

5. Classic Pumpkin Bread

This is a classic Pumpkin Bread recipe—moist, spicy and simply scrumptious!

Photo credit: Yulia von Eisenstein/shutterstock

6. Ginger Thai Pumpkin Bisque

This delicious recipe won an honorable mention in The 2010 Old Farmer’s Almanac Recipe Contest.

Photo Credit: MShev/Shutterstock

7. Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Like pumpkin pie, but with a firmer, denser texture. Try this dessert for a twist on the classic! 

Photo Credit: stetiana/shutterstock

8. Pumpkin Sugar Cake

Here’s a coffee cake in the tradition of Moravian sugar cake, the yeast-raised cake made from potato dough and covered with a buttery sugar topping. Our version uses pumpkin instead of potato and has an orange hue that’s quite pretty.

Photo Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

9. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Soft and fragrant, these are wonderful “as is” or with a cream cheese filling. Make them slightly smaller if you plan to fill them.

Photo Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

10. Browned Butter Frosted Pumpkin Bars

Tangy cranberries stud these luscious, spicy pumpkin bars.

Photo Credit: MShev/Shutterstock

11. Pumpkin Waffles (With Pecan Butter)

These Pumpkin Waffles are so seasonal, moist, and fluffy! And the optional butter pecan butter adds the perfect touch. 

Photo Credit: Amallia Eka/Shutterstock

12. Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie 

These no-bake pies can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and frozen until serving. 

Photo Credit: Sam Jones/Quinn Brein.

13. Pumpkin Quiche

A unique twist on a beloved staple, this pumpkin quiche is sure to stun at your next fall brunch!

 14. Pumpkin Ginger Muffins

Our Pumpkin Ginger Muffins are so flavorful, spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. One of the great things about these quick pumpkin muffins is you can take out a few muffins to bake at a time. 

 15. Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

Try adding pumpkin to mac and cheese. Really, it’s a delicious twist. Great for family gatherings!

Video: See our video on how to make this amazing pumpkin mac and cheese!

More Pumpkin Recipes

• Of course, don’t forget about making Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!
• Ever tried Pumpkin Biscuits or Pumpkin Nutmeg Knots? Add some pumpking goodness to your dinner rolls.
• This Pumpkin Harvest Soup won first place in our annual Almanac recipe contest. We also like the sounds of this hearty Roasted Pumpkin Stew from a reader.
• And, finally, here’s something different: Pumpkin Pickles!

Happy fall cooking and baking from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.