12/11/2025
Here are 10 creative and practical ways to use canned pumpkin:
1. Pumpkin Oatmeal Booster
Stir a heaping spoonful of pumpkin puree, a dash of cinnamon, and a little milk into your morning oatmeal. The pumpkin adds flavor, fiber, and vitamin A.
2.Creamy Pumpkin Spread
Mix canned pumpkin with a touch of honey or sweetener, then spread it on toast, bagels, or rolls for a nutritious and tasty snack.
3. Pumpkin Pancakes or Waffles)
Add canned pumpkin to pancake or waffle batter. Spice with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for enhanced flavor. The pumpkin boosts moisture and nutrients.
4. Pumpkin Muffins, Breads, or Cookies
Incorporate pumpkin into baked goods like muffins, quick breads, cookies, and crumb cakes. In these baked goods, the pumpkin adds moisture and a subtle flavor boost.
5. Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Blend pumpkin with ricotta or cottage cheese (or with tomato sauce), season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and garlic and serve over pasta for a creamy, richer sauce.
6. Pumpkin Soup
Add pumpkin to vegetable or chicken broth (with onions, garlic) for pumpkin soup.
7. Pumpkin Hummus
Blend canned pumpkin with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of cumin. It makes a creamy, slightly sweet twist on traditional hummus—perfect for dipping veggies or spreading on wraps.
8. Pumpkin Smoothie
Blend canned pumpkin with low-fat vanilla yogurt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg for a quick, creamy pumpkin smoothie.
9. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Mix pumpkin puree with cream cheese (and optional warm spices) to create a flavorful spread—ideal for bagels or fruit dips.
10. Pumpkin Seed Snack
If using fresh seeds for homemade puree, roast them with butter, garlic/onion powder, or Parmesan for a savory snack.
Use that can of pumpkin in our newest recipe Pumpkin French Toast Bake: https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/recipe/pumpkin-french-toast-bake/
