Fall is a wonderful time of year that's full of delicious foods, and most of us know that as soon as the days start to get a little chilly, it's time for all things pumpkin!
While many of you have probably perfected your pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread, there are many other ways to use pumpkin that most people never think about. Whether you want to create something savory or sweet, there is a place for pumpkin! Take a look at these 11 unusual and original ways to use pumpkin in your next meal, and let us know if you've made anything like this recently!
Roasted Pumpkin Soup
This savory soup only requires a few ingredients (including chicken stock and garlic). This recipe from Cookie and Kate is one of our favorites. Perfect for the chilly fall evenings!
Pumpkin Pesto Pizza
Pumpkin pesto pizza, need I say more? This recipe from our friends at Colavita is so intriguing and delicious sounding (and looking!), we want to try it tonight. And it's actually not complicated to make.
Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes
These doughnuts are baked, not fried, so you can feel a little bit better about indulging! Maria Lichty's recipe at Two Peas & Their Pod is amazingly easy and so, so delish.
Bowties with Creamy Pumpkin and Parmesan
Parmesan cheese and pumpkin? Sounds odd, tastes delicious! Trust us. This recipe from Aggie's Kitchen is sublime and will get dinner on the table in no time.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
With chocolate chips and cranberries, these cookies are a perfect breakfast treat. An no parent should feel guilty about giving their kids chocolate if it's wrapped up in so much goodnes. Our friends at Two Peas & Their Pod have created yet another impossibly perfect pumpkin recipe for us to try.
Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes
Have you ever thought of adding pumpkin to your mashed potatoes? We hadn't either, but it tastes amazing – especially with a little bit of wasabi! This recipe by Steamy Kitchen is a total winner — it has uncommon ingredients that make for a completely incredible result. Try it!
Low Fat Pumpkin Pie Shake
Low fat ice cream and milk make this one treat you don't have to feel guilty about! This recipe from My Recipes is definitely worth trying this pumpkin season.
Pumpkin Pancakes
These have all the goodness of homemade pancakes, with a little bit of pumpkin spice mixed in, yum! Inspired Taste has a great recipe for pumpkin pancakes from scratch that are super easy to make and so fluffy (they even give you the tips for creating the fluffiest!) and delicious, you'll make them even outside of pumpkin season.
Sausage, Pumpkin And Sage Casserole
Sausage, garlic, beans, and lots of herbs make this savory pumpkin casserole a winner. It may sound difficult, but it can be done in one pot, perfect for a quick dinner.
Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese
Add a little bit of cinnamon to your morning bagel and you won't regret it! I guess we're of the pumpkin-spice-anything camp — but this pumpkin spice cream cheese is so worth it.
Savory Stuffed Pumpkin
Grated gruyere, fresh rosemary, kielbasa, and cream are just a few of the amazing ingredients in this baked whole pumpkin. It's a perfect addition to any holiday spread — and, heck, can work even as a yummy edible centerpiece during Thanksgiving!
Flan de Calabaza (Pumpkin Flan)
This pumpkin flan from The Noshery is so amazingly decadent. It's the familiar flavor of pumpkin spices with the delicious goodness of good old-fashioned Latino flan. ¡Rico!
