45 Canned Pumpkin Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make

Canned pumpkin can be used for far more than just pumpkin pie.

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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.

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Pumpkin Muffins

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.

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Maple Pumpkin Pie

Top View of Maple Pumpkin Pie on Top of Purple Fabric with Two Metal Forks Next to It
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.

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Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Sugar 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.

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Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Greg DuPree

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. 

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Creamy Pumpkin Casserole

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!

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Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Popsicles

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.

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Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches

Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches
Beatriz da Costa

These dreamy cookie sandwiches can be whipped up a day or two ahead for easy party prep.

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Pumpkin Tomato Basil Meatballs

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.

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Brown Butter Pumpkin Grits

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!).

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Savory Pumpkin Pancakes

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.

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Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork and Pumpkin Chili with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

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.

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Pumpkin Spice Bread

Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe
Victor Protasio

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.

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Pumpkin Bread

pumpkin bread

Antonis Achilleos

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.

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Pumpkin Bread Trifle With Pepita Streusel

pumpkin bread trifle with pepita streusel

Antonis Achilleos

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.

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Turkey-Pumpkin Chili

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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Pumpkin Martini

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.

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Pumpkin Tortilla Soup

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.

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Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

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.

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Pumpkin Pecan Crisps

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.

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Pumpkin Spice Waffles

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!

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Pumpkin Biscotti

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.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

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.

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Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

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.

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Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

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.

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Pumpkin Garlic Knots

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.

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Pumpkin Sauce Lasagna

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.

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Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Pumpkin Cream Puffs
Max Kelly

What to do with canned pumpkin? These creamy orbs of pumpkin sweetness are a brown-sugar bolstered dream.

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Self Proclaimed Foodie

The secret to these deliciously creamy whoopie pies? An unexpected duo of applesauce and leftover pumpkin puree!

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Pumpkin Gnocchi With Sage Butter Sauce

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.

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Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

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.

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Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo

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.

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Chickpea Pumpkin Coconut Curry

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.

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Pumpkin Black Bean Burgers

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.

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Vegetarian Pumpkin and Kale Pasta Bake

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.

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Pumpkin Lentil Soup

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).

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Pumpkin Rice Pudding

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.

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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

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.

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Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars with Toasted Coconut

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.

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Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

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!

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Perfectly Spiced Pumpkin Scones

Perfectly Spiced Pumpkin Scones
Inspired Taste

Wake up to these spicy-sweet scones made with pumpkin puree for the ultimate autumnal breakfast.

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DIY Pumpkin Liqueur

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.

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Pumpkin Fruit Dip

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.

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Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Parfait

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.

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Pumpkin Hummus

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.

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Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

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.

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