Try Forks Meal Planner and get hundreds of whole-food, plant-based recipes at your fingertips.
By Lisa Esile, MS Last Updated:
The sweetness of pumpkin partners well with so many different flavors—from the traditional cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg to more unusual combinations like sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, apples, cranberries, and beans, to name a few. We’ve rounded up some of our most popular pumpkin recipes, ranging from sweet to savory.
Want to get the scoop on all things pumpkin? Check out our handy guide for tips on how to prep, cook, and store this gorgeous fall gourd.
Canned pumpkin takes the place of pork fat to form a luscious, healthy masa dough for these vegan tamales.
View Recipe
Sink your teeth into this delectable cookie, fragrant with fall spices and topped with an easy pumpkin-applesauce frosting. Finish it off with chopped dried cranberries and pecans (optional) for an autumnal sweet treat with major plate appeal.
View Recipe
This stunning soup brings together the tender flesh of lemon-infused roasted pumpkin and the nutty flavor of chickpeas in a savory broth. Where this soup really stands out is with the tasty array of garnishes: Roasted bell pepper adds smoky-sweet flavor, crushed raw garlic lends a balancing sharpness, and a drizzle of tahini and handful of chopped parsley finish it off perfectly. Pro Tip: If you prefer to throw some/all of the garnish ingredients into the pot, that’ll work too.
View Recipe
Canned pumpkin helps add moisture and subtle sweetness to this gorgeous casserole, which would be a lovely addition to any holiday spread.
View Recipe
Sweetened with dates and maple syrup, and with a base of pumpkin puree and tofu, this fall-flavored vegan ice cream is wickedly good, but in a healthy kind of way!
View Recipe
Pumpkin puree and mashed banana add enough natural sweetness that you only need a little bit of added sweetener (maple syrup) in this easy recipe.
View Recipe
This spectaular dessert is an ideal centerpiece for any festive fall or winter occasion. With sumptuous layers of pumpkin gingerbread, naturally sweetened roasted fruits, and silky vanilla cream, this melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat will be enjoyed by both vegans and non-vegans alike. Note: This recipe takes an hour and a half to prepare, including cooking time, which isn’t bad for how amazing it is!
View Recipe
Start your day off right with this tasty homemade granola mix, which features raw pumpkin seeds and raisins.
View Recipe
These yummy oat- and cornmeal-based cookies flavored with pumpkin, cranberries, cinnamon, and nutmeg make a fabulous after-dinner treat or healthy snack to give out instead of candy. They freeze well, so make a double batch.
View Recipe
In this hearty dish, creamy mushroom risotto gets mixed with canned pumpkin and then baked to crispy perfection.
View Recipe
With layers of whole wheat bread, fall spices, golden raisins, and pure maple syrup, this chewy bread pudding is built to satisfy.
View Recipe
These sweet and wholesome muffins from Chef AJ are bursting with fall flavors, featuring pumpkin, cranberries, walnuts, and cinnamon.
View Recipe
Featuring a hint of maple syrup in both the whipped topping and in the tart itself, this autumnal pie is perfectly sweet.
View Recipe
This dense, decadent dessert features chocolate chips for double-chocolate goodness. Pumpkin and applesauce add moisture.
View Recipe
These delicious parfaits make it look like you spent far longer in the kitchen than you did—plus you can do it mostly in a blender, no cooking required except to toast pecans. The pumpkin pudding base is flavored with cinnamon, allspice, and date paste, and topped with a decadent Cashew Vanilla Cream. Expect to be handing out the recipe to guests!
View Recipe
These muffins from Chef Katie Simmons of Plants-Rule.com take just 10 minutes to whip up and 30 minutes to bake. They’re sure to be a hit at any fall potluck.
View Recipe
Fragrant with cumin, allspice, and smoked paprika, this creamy pumpkin dip features chickpeas and white beans. Make a big batch, and serve it with veggie sticks, whole grain bread, or your favorite crackers.
View Recipe
This flavorful stew is loaded with veggies and squash and features Anasazi beans, which are similar to pinto beans but have a richer flavor.
View Recipe
Gluten-free and date-sweetened, these mouth-watering pumpkin squares are easier to make than pumpkin pie and firm enough to be eaten as finger food. The divine Macadamia-Vanilla Frosting is made with just three ingredients.
View Recipe
The stuffing uses traditional ingredients like bread, mushrooms, celery, sage, thyme, and oregano, and features apple, cranberries, and almonds to give it a fruity, nutty twist.
View Recipe
Fragrant with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, this scrumptious fall dessert is incredibly simple to make—and so healthy you can eat it for breakfast!
View Recipe
Fresh pumpkin adds creaminess and a vivid orange hue that plays well with red lentils in this vegan dal soup.
View Recipe
You can use pumpkin or another winter squash in this cannellini bean salad, which calls for just five ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes.
View Recipe
Lisa Esile is an author, illustrator, blogger, vegetable gardener, and whole-food enthusiast with a special fondness for potatoes. She has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is passionate about showing people how to live happier, healthier lives. She is the author of Reach Your Big Calm and the co-author of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Find her on Facebook.
see more from this author
Get a taste for healthy, fuss-free meal planning with this free five-day meal plan from Forks Meal Planner!
Get free recipes and the latest info on living a happy, healthy plant-based lifestyle.
Comments (1)
All the recipes make me hungry for pumpkin. It is amazing how many different ways you can incorporate pumpkins or squash into these mouth-watering recipes. I had to print them all.