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12 Quick and Healthy Recipes That Star Canned Pumpkin

With these recipes, pumpkin easily proves it's more than just a popular pie ingredient
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Pumpkins, the quirky orange fruit that is synonymous with sweater weather, may as well be the poster child for the autumn season. Every year as temperatures begin to drop everything "pumpkin" begins to pop up. Whether it is in pies on bakery shelves, as decorations on front stoops, or as a popular coffee shop flavoring, pumpkins seem to be everywhere come fall.

If you need some fresh new ideas of what to do with all that extra pumpkin you may have lying around this season, there are only so many pumpkin pies one can make, read ahead. From pumpkin marinara sauce to pumpkin chicken chili, and beyond, here are 12 fun ways to use pumpkin in your next fall meal. Plus, bookmark our 45+ Best Soups and Chilis to Make With a Rotisserie Chicken.

Pumpkin Marinara

arugula pumpkin flatbreads
Blaine Moats

This pumpkin marinara is a great recipe to try out when you want to break out of the traditional tomato sauce mold. Made using ingredients such as tomato paste, canned pumpkin, and minced garlic, this fragrant sauce tastes great spread over pizza dough or tossed into spaghetti.

Get our recipe for Pumpkin Marinara.

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Pumpkin Potato Mash

Pumpkin potato mash in a large bowl with chives, oil, and salt.
Blaine Moats

Mashed potatoes, the ultimate comfort food, get an exciting twist when canned pumpkin and light sour cream are introduced into the mix. This indulgent dish, which can be easily prepared in approximately half an hour, works great as a Thanksgiving side.

Get our recipe for Pumpkin Potato Mash.

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Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie Bites

Fudgy pumpkin brownie bites on a wooden cutting board
Blaine Moats

Fall is known for its pumpkin pies, but why not go against the grain and do a little something different with your canned pumpkin and bake some brownies? Decadent, fudgy, and only 54 calories each, these pumpkin brownie bites are the perfect way to end any meal.

Get our recipe for Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie Bites.

 33 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili

pumpkin chicken chili served in white pots
Jason Donnelly

Slow cooker chili pairs well with chilly fall evenings and cozy couch nights. This recipe, which features a combination of garbanzo beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and chopped red sweet pepper, is given an autumn update when canned pumpkin is introduced.

Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili.

 20 Best Healthy Chili Recipes for Weight Loss

Sweet Pumpkin Ravioli

pumpkin ravioli with pestp sauce
Blaine Moats

If you are a fan of traditional ricotta-filled ravioli then you have to give these sweet pumpkin ones a try. Made using pumpkin puree, whole milk ricotta, and a blend of different spices, such as ginger and nutmeg, this sweet and savory dish puts a twist on an old classic. Hint: This recipe uses premade wrappers, instead of making dough from scratch, which can help cut back significantly on prep time.

Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

pumpkin swirl cheesecake
Courtesy of Sally's Baking Addiction

If you are looking for a dessert for this Thanksgiving season that is both delicious and unexpected then you should try out this pumpkin cheesecake recipe. Made using a crunchy gingersnap cookie crust, a pumpkin spice swirl, and salted caramel sauce, this cheesecake knocks it out of the ballpark.

Get the recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.

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Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Tortilla Soup

pumpkin chicken tortilla soup
Courtesy of Kim's Cravings

This smooth pumpkin chicken tortilla soup is a great dish to add to your dinner recipe rotation. Made using Zoup! chicken broth, pumpkin puree, black beans, and plain Greek yogurt, this comforting dish can also easily be made vegan and gluten-free with just a few simple substitutions.

Get the recipe from Kim's Cravings.

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Roast Pumpkin Spinach and Feta Salad

roasted pumpkin spinach salad
Courtesy of Recipe Tin Eats

Common fall vegetables, such as kale and beets, are no strangers to salads—so why not roast some pumpkin and throw it onto a bed of greens, as well? This undeniably refreshing salad, which is made using baby spinach, crumbled feta, and chunks of perfectly prepared pumpkin, is lightly dressed with a tangy honey balsamic dressing that you can make right at home.

Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.

 This Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe Is the Perfect Fall Snack

Vegan Pumpkin Mac 'N Cheese

pumpkin mac and cheese
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

This velvety macaroni and cheese recipe proves that you don't need heaps of cheese and butter to create a delicious dish. This plant-based rendition of the iconic comfort food gets its cheesy flavor when cooked penne is tossed in a mixture of nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, and almond milk.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

 The Worst Mac and Cheese Dishes in America

Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

chipotle pumpkin soup
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

The sweethearts of fall produce—pumpkins and apples—team up to create a smoky chipotle soup that overflows with flavor. Prepared using pumpkin puree, coconut milk, chipotle powder, and paprika, this delicious soup is served in adorable hollowed-out acorn squash bowls.

Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

pumpkin dream cake
Courtesy of How Sweet Eats

This pumpkin sheet cake is perfect if you need a cake to help celebrate a fall birthday or would like to prepare a mouthwatering, easy-to-make dessert for the holiday season. Chock full of ground nutmeg and brown sugar and slathered in a cinnamon cream cheese frosting, this recipe can feed up to 12 people.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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Vegan Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast

coconut cream pumpkin quinoa porridge
Courtesy of Cotter Crunch

If you are someone who opts for a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning, be sure to try out this vegan pumpkin quinoa breakfast bowl. Filled with pumpkin puree, coconut milk, ground ginger, pumpkin spice, and maple syrup, this recipe proves that quinoa can be enjoyed beyond savory dishes.

Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.

Get more of our delicious and cozy fall recipes:

25 Delicious Apple Recipes That are Perfect for Fall

65 Cozy Comfort Foods That Also Help With Weight Loss

45+ Best Cozy Casserole Recipes for Weight Loss

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Brittany Natale
Brittany Natale is a food and lifestyle writer. Read more about Brittany