Do you have some leftover pumpkin puree and need a few ideas for how to use it? This collection of recipes with pumpkin puree is sure to inspire you and help you to enjoy the sweet and savory side of this amazingly fall squash.

A stack of pumpkin pancakes with a slice taken out of them and on a fork on the plate. The stack is topped with a pat of butter and is drizzled with maple syrup.

Pumpkin is one of the few plants that has groupies. Aside from avocado, of course.

And, TNNers, I am a hardcore pumpkin groupie. Each year, I look forward to the calendar flipping to to September so I can start baking all the pumpkin things without the judgy side-eye from my summer-lovin’ family and friends. And then I don’t stop until January….

If you flip through the pages of The Natural Nurturer, you will see that I have oodles of pumpkin puree recipes that celebrate both the sweet and savory side of this seasonal squash. It is amazing in so many recipes and I have found that having a can of pumpkin puree in cupboard can make veggie-loading so many meals extra easy!

All of these pumpkin puree-loaded recipes are easy to make and family-friendly. They are a mix of sweet + savory recipes, so you can enjoy pumpkin in all the meals!

Pumpkin puree in a food processor with a spoon and pumpkins around it on a table.

Difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling

It can be hard to tell when you are in a hurry at the grocery store and glancing at cans, but there is a big difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling. While they will likely be labeled differently, they can look very similar. To be sure of if you are buying pumpkin puree verse pumpkin pie filling, be sure to turn the can over and look at the ingredients.

Pumpkin puree is just cooked, peeled, and puree pumpkin. No added sugar or spices. It can be used in both sweet and savory pumpkin recipes. The ingredients on a pumpkin puree can should read just that: pumpkin. That is it.

Pumpkin pie filling will have the addition of those warm fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice) and often added sugar. It is meant to make baking a pumpkin pie that much easier. And while all of that is great, it is less versatile than simple pumpkin puree. Since it has added spices and sugar, any recipe on this list will need to adjusted so that the sweetness and flavors are not over powering. And I would not suggest using pumpkin pie filling in any savory pumpkin recipes.

Where to find pumpkin puree

Canned pumpkin puree is something but I almost always have on hand for easily veggie-loading recipes. I kind of hoard it in the fall when it is easier to find since it can be saved for months or even years to come and makes adding a heathy orange plant to a recipe so simple.

I usually find canned pumpkin puree in most grocery stores here in the United States. Where each store keeps them can vary depending on their layout. But here are a few spots to look for pumpkin puree before asking a grocery store employee for help…

  • with canned vegetables
  • in the baking section during fall and into winter
  • with the dog food. Weird, but true. Lots of people add orange vegetable puree to to their dog’s food and so some grocery stores keep it there. I also find butternut squash puree and sweet potato puree there too. Usually it is the same stuff you eat, just in a different section. Of course, double check to make sure what you are grabbing is meant for human consumption.

You can also make your own if you wish! Here is my favorite method for making homemade pumpkin puree + my tried-and-true storage tips!

Easy substitutes for pumpkin puree

I find that replacing pumpkin puree with butternut squash puree or even sweet potato puree is successful in most recipes. It might change the flavor of a recipe slightly but subbing in sweet potato and/or butternut squash in these pumpkin puree recipes allows you to enjoy these recipes all year long…even when pumpkin puree is hard to find.

How to store leftover pumpkin puree

Ah yes. It happens to us all. We open a can of pumpkin puree for one recipe and then are left with some pumpkin puree and no ideas.

Well, one idea is to dive into cooking up another one of these pumpkin puree recipes. However, you can also easily store it for future recipes.

Fridge: Transfer pumpkin puree out of the can and into a mason jar or another air tight container. Store in the fridge for about 5 days.

Freezer: Transfer pumpkin puree to a freezer safe container that is also air tight. Place and freezer and enjoy for up to 6 months. To thaw, place frozen pumpkin puree in fridge over night or on the counter for a few hours until thawed.

A stack of the delicious pumpkin protein muffins

Fluffy & Filling Pumpkin Protein Muffins

These Pumpkin Protein Muffins are easy to make, fluffy, delicious and packed with protein from lentils and eggs! The perfect healthy breakfast or snack.
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Serving homemade pumpkin baked oatmeal.

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

Jump into fall with this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal. Easy to make, delicious and full of warm flavors. Easily gluten free and dairy-free, this is perfect to healthy breakfast or a great recipe to make as part of meal prep.
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One-Pot Turkey Pumpkin Chili

This One-Pot Turkey Pumpkin Chili is flavorful, simple to make, packed with veggies like carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes and (of course) pumpkin puree. Loaded with protein from ground turkey and black beans, this easy chili recipe is the perfect cozy dinner for a busy weeknight.
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Healthier One-Bowl Pumpkin Brownies

These Pumpkin Brownies are delicious and easy to make. Fudgy, made with healthier ingredients and less sugar than traditional brownie recipes, this is the perfect fall dessert.
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This Pumpkin Breakfast Souffle is super easy to make, full of warm fall flavors and so delicious! #paleo #glutenfree #dairyfree #paleopumpkinrecipes #healthypumpkinrecipes

Breakfast Pumpkin Soufflé

This Pumpkin Breakfast Souffle is super easy to make, full of warm fall flavors and so delicious! Paleo, gluten free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened- you are going to feel like you are having dessert for breakfast.
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Hearty One-Bowl Pumpkin Pancakes

Hearty One-Bowl Pumpkin Pancakes

Mixed up all in one bowl, these delicious pumpkin pancakes are made from white whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, milk, eggs, and just a little brown sugar. Flavorful thanks to the addition of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, these filling pancakes amazing with your favorite toppings and are the perfect healthy fall breakfast!
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Vegan Pumpkin Waffles

These vegan pumpkin waffles are made with whole grains, naturally sweetened and are so easy to make. Thick and perfectly crisp on the outside, they are the perfect fall healthy breakfast.
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Copycat Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice

This Copycat Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice is not only super easy to make, but full of warm fall flavors that will have you feeling like you are part of Hogwarts! Naturally sweetened with apple juice and no added sugar, it is the perfect refreshment to make for any HP fan!
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Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding served in a nice jar

Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding

This Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding is the perfect simple healthy fall dessert! Mixed up in minutes and NO COOKING required, you will love how easy and delicious this simple dessert recipe is!
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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

This pumpkin pasta sauce recipe is easy, delicious, flavored with warm fall spices and Parmesan. Serve it over your favorite pasta for an easy dinner with a punch of pumpkin goodness!
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One-Bowl Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins

These Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins are tender, moist and full of warm fall flavors. Mixed all in one bowl + done baking in just 20 minutes, these muffins are made with a cup of pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, and less added sugar than most muffin recipes. Perfect as a grab-and-go breakfast or hearty snack, these easy healthy muffins are a must-bake!
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Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This easy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is the perfect breakfast for when you want that pumpkin spice fix! Made in minutes in your blender and full of good-for-for-you ingredients! Easily made vegan, dairy-free and Paleo.
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A tray of Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies cooling on a table covered with white cloth

Vegan Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cookies

These soft, chewy Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make in one bowl and are so delicious! With added pumpkin for a bonus punch of goodness, these cookies are naturally gluten free, egg-free and dairy-free.
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One-Pot Savory Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup

Enjoy the savory side of sweet potatoes and pumpkin in this simple, creamy one-pot soup! Made smokey in flavor with the addition of paprika and a touch of red pepper, this Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup is downright cozy and the perfect thing to curl up with at the end of a crisp fall day.
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Gluten Free Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins

These moist and fluffy Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins are loaded with seasonal flavors, packed with spices and perfectly sweet. The ideal treat to enjoy this holiday season. Gluten-free, dairy-free.
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Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies

These Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect dessert to make for fall! Made from good-for-you ingredients, lower in added sugar than most cookie recipes, these healthy cookies are soft, chewy, full of pumpkin and warm fall flavors.
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Serving homemade pumpkin baked oatmeal.
5 from 6 votes

10+ Healthy & Easy Recipes with Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast
Jump into fall with this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal. Easy to make, delicious and full of warm flavors. Easily gluten free and dairy-free, this is perfect to healthy breakfast or a great recipe to make as part of meal prep.

Ingredients
 

  • olive oil or avocado oil , for greasing
  • 2 cups rolled oats, use certified gluten free if needed
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 1/4 cup milk of choice, this works great with almond milk if dairy-free needed
  • 2 large eggs, can sub flax eggs to make egg-free
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
  • chocolate chips, nuts, raisins or topping of choice., optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉ degrees. Grease a 8×8 baking dish with oil.
  • In a medium bowl, combine oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Mix to combine.
  • Add pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup/honey to bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Spread into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Oatmeal is done baking when it is puffed up on the edges, set in the middle and top is golden.
  • Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. It will be soft at first but will firm up as it cools. Enjoy warm topped with yogurt, a splash of milk, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, fruit, whipped cream or simply on its own. Let cool completely and store in fridge for up to 4 days.
Calories: 135kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 176mg, Potassium: 168mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 4298IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 107mg, Iron: 1mg