4 Fall Pumpkin Recipes to Celebrate October

4 Fall Pumpkin Recipes to Celebrate October pixabay.com Walking into a Trader Joe’s and seeing all of the shelves lined with pumpkin paraphernalia makes me feel as though I just landed on the set of Halloweentown and am tasked with the mission of lighting the giant pumpkin candle. And while it may be easy to pick up a box of pumpkin waffle mix or some pumpkin cheesecake, many folks don’t exactly know what to do with those cans of pumpkin puree or with an actual pumpkin itself. Yes, the idea of pumpkin puree may be quite vague, but once you figure out how to work with it in the kitchen, the possibility of seasonal dishes are endless! From savory to sweet, you can create a plethora of culinary masterpieces with this delicious vegetable mush. You just have to get creative! But if you’re too lazy to experiment all on your own, check out this list of some very delicious October-worthy pumpkin dishes that will have you feeling anything but basic. 1. Flourless Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cookies Okay, so I obviously have to start with something sweet. These cookies are SO simple to make and not to mention healthy and delicious. They also pair perfectly with a warm pumpkin spiced latte. This recipe makes about 10 cookies. Ingredients: -4 Tbsp peanut butter (Be sure to use a solid peanut butter and not the oily stuff.) -1 small mashed banana (the less ripe the better for these already chewy cookies.) -2 Tbsp pumpkin puree (You can store the rest of the can in a container and pop it in the fridge.) - ¼ dark chocolate chips or chunks -Pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (which is basically cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg) -Pinch of salt -A dash of vanilla extract -A dash of stevia (or any natural non-sugar sweetener, or you can skip this step) Instructions: •Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a baking pan with coconut oil or cooking oil of your choice •Mix up all of the ingredients well •Scoop by rounded tablespoon onto cookie sheet and press down with a fork •Cook for 14 minutes and let cool •Enjoy! 2. One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta Who says pumpkin is only reserved for dessert? This is not only the most amazing excuse to combine pumpkin and cheese but also a super simple and delicious one pot pasta meal. You don’t have to deal with a bunch of dirty dishes and your meal comes together in 20 minutes or less. Image via domesticsuperhero.com This One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta is the perfect blend of pumpkin, creaminess and cheesiness. There is also a kick of spiciness that makes the dish really pop. Definitely don’t forget the salt here because it also helps to tie in all of the flavors. Find the recipe below via domesticsuperhero.com. Ingredients: -12 ounces pasta noodles, such as elbows, farfalle, or penne -1 small onion, diced -3 garlic cloves, minced -1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) -4 cups vegetable broth -1/4 tsp red pepper flakes -1/4 tsp salt -1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper -1/8 tsp nutmeg -2 Tbsp butter -4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cut into cubes Instructions: •In a stockpot or deep skillet, add noodles, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, pumpkin puree, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir to blend together, and put on the stove over medium/high heat. •Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. •Uncover, stir, cover, simmer for 2-4 more minutes, or until pasta is al dente. •Add butter and cream cheese cubes, stir continuously until the cheese is melted and incorporated. •Serve and top with parsley if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Easy Pumpkin Caramel Pull Apart Bread This is definitely a quick and easy cheat meal-worthy pumpkin treat! This pull-apart pumpkin bread can be easily made with pre-made dough, pumpkin puree, pecans and caramel. It’s a warm, comforting bread that is perfect for a chilly fall morning breakfast. Try out the recipe from willcookforsmiles.com. Ingredients: -1 lb pizza dough -2/3 cup pumpkin puree - ½ cup crushed pecans - ½ cup brown sugar -1 tsp cinnamon - ½ tsp allspice - ¼ tsp nutmeg -1 Tbsp melted butter - ¼ cup caramel + more for drizzle on top -Flour for surface Instructions: •Preheat oven to 350 and grease an 84 bread loaf pan. •Roll out pizza dough into a rectangle thats about 168 inches in size. •In a small mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, spices and pecans. Mix until all incorporated. •Brush dough with melted butter and drizzle ¼ cup of caramel all over the dough. •Spread pumpkin mixture evenly all over the dough. •Cut the dough easily using a pizza cutter, lengthwise, into three long strips. Then cut in width-wise, creating squares. Stack squares and place them side-by-side into the prepared loaf pan. •Drizzle some more caramel over the top and place in the oven. •Bake for 35-38 minutes. 4. Healthy Pumpkin Chili Image via theglowingfridge.com This is another savory pumpkin dish that is perfect for a breezy fall evening. This recipe for healthy pumpkin chili can be whipped up pretty easily and is simple while providing a lot of flavor. This batch can feed up to four people or can be saved for a week of easy meal prep. Take a look at the recipe from theglowingfridge.com. Ingredients: -1/2 cup vegetable broth (or 1 Tbsp olive oil; for sautéing) -1 large onion, chopped -2 cloves garlic, minced -2 bell peppers, chopped (any color) -1 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes -1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed -1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed -1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling!!) -2 cups vegetable broth -2 Tbsp chili powder -2 tsp cumin -2 tsp paprika -1 tsp salt -1/2 tsp cinnamon -Dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional) -Juice from 1 lime -Toppings: cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, sriracha, crushed tortilla chips Instructions: •In a big pot, heat up the vegetable broth. •Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent, about 5 minutes. •Add in the bell peppers, cook another 5 minutes. •Add in the canned tomatoes, beans, pumpkin, vegetable broth and spices (excluding the lime until the end). Stir until well combined. •Bring to a slight boil, turn down heat and cover to let simmer about 15-20 minutes. •Turn off heat and stir in the fresh lime juice. •Serve immediately with your favorite spices.