11 No-Waste Sweet and Savory Recipes That Use a Whole Can of Pumpkin (2024)

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

There's no need to sit at the kids' table to enjoy creamy macaroni and cheese. Thanks to savory canned pumpkin, the kid-friendly classic gets a grown-up makeover.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

Here's how to turn one can of pumpkin into 60 three-bite desserts! Topped with an irresistible brown sugar icing, these cookies rank as one of our all-time top canned pumpkin recipes. One reviewer wrote, "They're worth five stars—if I could give 'em 10, I would!"

Coconut-Pumpkin Soup

Salty, sweet, nutty, and hot—this canned pumpkin soup recipe pushes all the flavor buttons we love in classic Thai cooking. We also love the way the soup doesn't require a blender or food processor, making it a great choice when you're looking for easy canned pumpkin recipes you can effortlessly pull off at the end of a busy day.

Pumpkin Soup with Lentils

If you're looking for healthy canned pumpkin recipes, you've found a winner! Each serving comes in at under 200 calories and contains 11 grams of good-for-you fiber.

Pumpkin, Bean, and Chicken Enchiladas

Even the most devoted fans of savory canned pumpkin recipes have probably never tried this enchilada recipe. You'll love how pumpkin's autumnal flavor pairs with hot jalapeño peppers, chile powder, and pico de gallo for a healthy and satisfying Mexican-inspired entrée that's oven-ready in 35 minutes.

Pumpkin Football Cakes

The only thing better than tasty canned pumpkin dessert recipes is tasty canned pumpkin desserts that are adorable too! These too-cute football cakes include a whole can of pumpkin ($4, Target) and make a delicious addition to any game-day tailgate or sports-centric potluck celebration.

Curry Pumpkin Soup

This pumpkin soup made with canned pumpkin is a great choice for holiday entertaining. Serve the luscious fall or winter warmer as a sit-down first course to get everyone into the spirit of the season. Choose a great dinner roll recipe to serve alongside.

Sara's Silky Pumpkin Pie

Of all the recipes using canned pumpkin in our files, pumpkin pie recipes are always the most popular. Here's one that veers slightly off the beaten path; it calls for sweetened condensed milk for extra rich and silky appeal. But don't worry—the nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves keep this close to the classic pumpkin pie!

Bourbon Pumpkin Bread with Spice Swirl

Conveniently, this moist pumpkin bread recipe that uses a whole can of pumpkin makes two loaves in classic loaf pans. That means you can give one as a gift and keep one for yourself. Not ready to enjoy your loaf? Freeze it for later. Just be sure to add the optional icing after you've thawed the loaf.

Easy Pumpkin Roasted Red Pepper Mac and Cheese

We've said it before: We're fans of canned pumpkin recipes, whether they're sweet or savory. Here's another stellar example of the latter. It demonstrates how much richness (with a bonus of extra nutrition) canned pumpkin puree can bring to a simple casserole.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup

You've often heard us say "fresh is best," but pumpkin may be the exception. We actually prefer making pumpkin soup with canned pumpkin for the most reliable, silky results. This savory soup is made hearty for winter with the addition of orzo or wild rice.

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