Holidays & Entertaining Holidays Thanksgiving 45 Canned Pumpkin Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make Canned pumpkin can be used for far more than just pumpkin pie. By Amy Zavatto Amy Zavatto Amy Zavatto is a New York City–based wine, spirits, and food journalist, restaurant consultant, menu developer, and book publisher. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 20, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Shana Novak/Getty Images When it comes to holiday shortcuts, canned pumpkin is not only super-convenient, but it's also a quality product that offers a big bang for the buck. With little more than the twist of a can opener, this gluten-free puree delivers tons of health benefits with a healthy dose of vitamin A (300% of the recommended daily dosage in just a half-cup!) and 5 grams of dietary fiber, with zero grams of added sugar and half a gram of fat. It might make you wonder why you don't incorporate canned pumpkin into dishes all year long. With more than 40 recipes ranging from savory to sweet (and even sippable!), we can just about guarantee you'll be serving up canned pumpkin well beyond Thanksgiving. You can even make your own pumpkin puree. 25 Perfect Pumpkin Recipes You'll Want to Eat All Year Round 01 of 45 Pumpkin Muffins Grace Elkus A great recipe to turn to when you've got leftover canned pumpkin, these pumpkin puree muffins make a great grab-and-go breakfast or tea time snack. Spread a rich cream cheese frosting on top for a sweet after-dinner treat. Get the recipe 02 of 45 Maple Pumpkin Pie David Prince Maple syrup brings earthy, rich sweetness to a traditional pumpkin pie. From a full can of pumpkin puree, the velvety texture works in tandem with the custardy accent of heavy cream and eggs. get the recipe 03 of 45 Pumpkin Cookies Grace Elkus These cute pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies can be turned into pilgrim hats or turkeys with a simple switch-up of cookie cutters. Or use your favorite geometric shapes to make tasty pumpkin cookies any time of the year. get the recipe 04 of 45 Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars Greg DuPree get the recipe These gorgeous bars boast a Speculoos cookie crust, which pairs deliciously with the spiced pumpkin filling made from canned pumpkin. The fall staple is flavored with allspice, ginger, and cinnamon, while the addition of cream cheese makes it extra creamy. Bring these treats to a holiday potluck, or serve them at Thanksgiving for a stress-free dessert. 05 of 45 Creamy Pumpkin Casserole Lexi’s Clean Kitchen This flavor-packed casserole is beautiful, but that's not all. Made with canned pumpkin, spaghetti squash, and cubed pumpkin, it's a pumpkin lover's paradise! get the recipe 06 of 45 Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Popsicles Salt & Levender Who says pumpkin puree is just for autumn? These irresistible pumpkin popsicles include a healthy dose of crunchy granola and a kiss of honey—perfect for summer mornings—or any time, really. Get the recipe 07 of 45 Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches Beatriz da Costa These dreamy cookie sandwiches can be whipped up a day or two ahead for easy party prep. Get the Recipe 08 of 45 Pumpkin Tomato Basil Meatballs Wholesome Delicious One of the great things to discover about pumpkin puree is the wide range of possibilities when you think outside the can. Case in point: these sumptuous pumpkin tomato basil meatballs. get the recipe 09 of 45 Brown Butter Pumpkin Grits Peas and Crayons You'll find yourself looking to leave a little extra pumpkin puree in the can just so you can make these cheesy, warming grits (topped with a fried egg, please!). get the recipe 10 of 45 Savory Pumpkin Pancakes Ruchis Kitchen The kids (and, likely, anyone else in your household) will beg for a stack of these fluffy pumpkin flapjacks. Melt a pat of butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon, then drizzle with maple syrup and let the accolades roll in. Get the Recipe 11 of 45 Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork and Pumpkin Chili with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Half-Baked Harvest We love the range of flavors in this fun take on classic pulled pork, including canned pumpkin, chipotle pepper, smoky paprika, and pumpkin beer. What's more, it's a great one-pot and make-ahead meal. get the recipe 12 of 45 Pumpkin Spice Bread Victor Protasio get the recipe Pumpkin puree is the star of this autumnal bread, which gets its flavor from ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves. The dish, which is suitable for breakfast or dessert, is also topped with a sweet streusel that gets plenty of texture from raw pumpkin seed kernels. 13 of 45 Pumpkin Bread Antonis Achilleos get the recipe This take on pumpkin bread is subtly sweet and easy to make, requiring just 10 ingredients. Eat it as a simple breakfast, or enjoy it as a snack with a cup of tea. Pro tip: If you’ve run out of pumpkin pie spice, just make your own by mixing a few tablespoons of ground cinnamon with a couple of teaspoons each of ground ginger and nutmeg, and about a teaspoon each of ground cloves and allspice. 14 of 45 Pumpkin Bread Trifle With Pepita Streusel Antonis Achilleos get the recipe Use the pumpkin bread from the previous recipe to whip up this picture-worthy dessert. This sweet treat is made with layers of a homemade sweet streusel, sweetened cream cheese and fluffy whipped cream, and the aforementioned pumpkin bread. If you don’t have a trifle dish, serve this dessert in a large bowl or glass jars for individual servings. 15 of 45 Turkey-Pumpkin Chili Caitlin Bensel get the recipe If you’re looking for a dish that highlights the savory side of pumpkin, give this chili a try. It calls for a can of pumpkin puree, ground turkey, hearty cannellini beans and spices including ground coriander and smoked paprika. 16 of 45 Pumpkin Martini Joseph De Leo This riff on a Brandy Alexander is a decadent after-dinner sipper. It's also amazing with aged rum, spiced rum, or brandy. get the recipe 17 of 45 Pumpkin Tortilla Soup Love and Lemons Fresh or canned pumpkin puree can be used to make this flavorful gluten-free soup. Stick to the vegetarian version, or add shredded leftover chicken or turkey for a heartier take. get the recipe 18 of 45 Pumpkin Pie Milkshake A Cozy Kitchen When two classic desserts meet to make one tasty treat, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who'll turn this sipper down—no matter what time of year it is. get the recipe 19 of 45 Pumpkin Pecan Crisps Max Kelly These delicious pecan and oat-topped custards, made with canned pumpkin, are even better with a dollop of yogurt or crème fraiche on top. get the recipe 20 of 45 Pumpkin Spice Waffles Cookie and Kate Oat flour makes this iconic breakfast dish more substantive than typical white flour (and gluten-free too), and a touch of leftover pumpkin puree is enough to add a lot of extra flavor. Make an extra batch and freeze for an easy option on weekday mornings! get the recipe 21 of 45 Pumpkin Biscotti Dessert for Two Dipped in your favorite hot cup of tea or French press coffee, these crunchy, nutty biscotti accented with pumpkin puree will disappear from the cookie jar faster than you can make them. get the recipe 22 of 45 Pumpkin Spice Latte Greatist If modern-day coffee culture has given us anything, it's a think-outside-the-mug attitude toward the average cup of joe. A blender or food processor makes this pumpkin-accented coffee super-frothy. get the recipe 23 of 45 Pumpkin Grilled Cheese Philip Friedman; Styling: Colleen Riley Got just a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree left in a can? Save them for this fun and nutritious take on a classic sandwich favorite. get the recipe 24 of 45 Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Knead to Cook Impressive but easy, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are chewy, spicy, and full of pumpkin goodness. If you don't have pumpkin pie spice for the glaze, try nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice—or make your own pumpkin spice. get the recipe 25 of 45 Pumpkin Garlic Knots Handle the Heat Serve these as a fun counterpoint to pumpkin ravioli, or whip them up on pizza night for an addictive pizza-parlor classic. get the recipe 26 of 45 Pumpkin Sauce Lasagna Frugal Nutrition This pasta favorite gets a healthy dose of veggies in spinach and pumpkin puree. The ground meat can be left out if you want to go vegetarian or swapped for spicy Italian sausage if you like a touch of heat. get the recipe 27 of 45 Pumpkin Cream Puffs Max Kelly What to do with canned pumpkin? These creamy orbs of pumpkin sweetness are a brown-sugar bolstered dream. get the recipe 28 of 45 Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Self Proclaimed Foodie The secret to these deliciously creamy whoopie pies? An unexpected duo of applesauce and leftover pumpkin puree! get the recipe 29 of 45 Pumpkin Gnocchi With Sage Butter Sauce Pinch of Yum This tender dough, made with pumpkin puree and potato, is easy to roll out and utterly irresistible with a drizzle of sage butter. Bonus: Uncooked gnocchi freeze beautifully, so you can make a double batch and save some for another night. get the recipe 30 of 45 Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats A Sweet Pea Chef This easy, healthy canned pumpkin recipe for overnight oatmeal may have minimal ingredients, but it maxes out big on flavor and velvety-smooth texture. get the recipe 31 of 45 Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo Cookie and Kate This healthier version of classic Alfredo sauce uses goat cheese and canned pumpkin, along with a little flour and low-fat milk, to create a thick and creamy sauce with less fat than the original. get the recipe 32 of 45 Chickpea Pumpkin Coconut Curry Emilie Eats This is sure to become one of your favorite healthy canned pumpkin recipes. Warming spices add loads of flavor, while chickpeas amp up the protein. Try it on its own or over brown basmati rice. get the recipe 33 of 45 Pumpkin Black Bean Burgers Wholefully These pumpkin puree-spiked black bean veggie burgers, with the extra-flavorful avocado and sea salt toppings, are bound to become a Meatless Monday staple. get the recipe 34 of 45 Vegetarian Pumpkin and Kale Pasta Bake MJ and Hungryman We love this healthy canned pumpkin recipe for one-dish weeknight meals (and ones that only seem to improve as leftovers). Sub in Swiss chard or spinach for the kale, if you like. get the recipe 35 of 45 Pumpkin Lentil Soup Salt and Lavender One of the easiest and most satisfying things you can do with leftover pumpkin puree is to whip up a pot of pumpkin soup with canned pumpkin. Red lentils add a punch of protein and make it extra filling. Top with toasty, crunchy croutons, if you like (and maybe even go pumpkin crazy by pairing it with our recipe for pumpkin grilled cheese). get the recipe 36 of 45 Pumpkin Rice Pudding Dana Gallagher This canned pumpkin rice pudding recipe gets great texture from Arborio rice and a nuanced fruity note from orange zest and juice. get the recipe 37 of 45 Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Like Mother Like Daughter This no-churn ice cream is an impress-your-guests dessert that requires only a few ingredients. Pumpkin pie spice plus crunchy bits of buttery graham crackers and pecans make it extra great. get the recipe 38 of 45 Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars with Toasted Coconut Brie Passano With its buttery crust and swirled caramel-pumpkin filling, this rich dessert is a hands-down winner. get the recipe 39 of 45 Pumpkin Swirl Brownies Self Proclaimed Foodie The combo of chocolate and pumpkin puree in this recipe not only makes for a moist, velvety brownie, it also creates an eye-catching swirl! get the recipe 40 of 45 Perfectly Spiced Pumpkin Scones Inspired Taste Wake up to these spicy-sweet scones made with pumpkin puree for the ultimate autumnal breakfast. get the recipe 41 of 45 DIY Pumpkin Liqueur The View From Great Island You might want to skip the pumpkin pie and go directly to this creamy, decadent liqueur. If rum isn't your preference, bourbon or brandy work equally well here. get the recipe 42 of 45 Pumpkin Fruit Dip Self Proclaimed Foodie If you overbought and don't know what to do with extra canned pumpkin, this pumpkin puree-based fruit dip may have you stocking up all year long. Whip up a batch and serve with sliced apples for dunking for your next party. get the recipe 43 of 45 Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Parfait Healthy Nibbles and Bits Layered with pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, granola, and the surprisingly nice match of fresh strawberries, this healthy canned pumpkin recipe is a season-busting breakfast that also works well as a healthy dessert. get the recipe 44 of 45 Pumpkin Hummus Once Upon a Cutting Board Looking for healthy canned pumpkin recipes? Set out a plate of fresh, crunchy veggies or toasted pita wedges with this easy riff on hummus for a tasty and good-for-you snack. get the recipe 45 of 45 Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting John Kernick Wondering how to make a fall favorite faster? Use shortcut ingredients, like boxed cake mix, canned pumpkin puree, and warm spices. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit