I LOVE October. Pumpkins, costumes, cider, the smell of fallen leaves, and lots and lots of candy…what’s not to love? In celebration of October and all things pumpkin, I’ve pulled together some of our best pumpkin recipes to make the most of the season. There are plenty of budget-friendly sweet treats, of course, but you’ll also find cozy savory meals, easy breakfasts, and a few fun extras for using up every last bit of pumpkin. I highly suggest you try each and every one of them. After all, you can’t ever have too much pumpkin, right? 😉

Cozy Pumpkin Dinners

Pumpkin isn’t just for pies and sweet treats! Its mild sweetness and creamy texture work so well in savory recipes, too. These cozy pumpkin dinners include easy soup, chili, curry, and pasta, with plenty of budget-friendly ingredients to keep fall dinners affordable.

1. Easy Pumpkin Chili

Easy Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin chili is hearty but light and packed with fiber and other nutrients. It's the perfect warm and cozy bowl of fall flavors. 4.92 from 78 votes $9.73 recipe / $1.62 serving Get the Recipe

Pumpkin might sound like an odd addition to chili, but it works surprisingly well. It melts right into the sauce, making this pumpkin chili smooth, rich, and hearty without giving it a strong pumpkin flavor. The natural sweetness also means you don’t need to add brown sugar or other sweeteners. You’ve got to try this combo at least once!

2. Pumpkin Soup

Easy Pumpkin Soup

This easy Pumpkin Soup is light and brothy, with mellow pumpkin flavor and a savory, smoky-spiced finish. Canned pumpkin and a handful of pantry staples make it a budget-friendly fall lunch or starter, ready in just 20 minutes. 4.40 from 28 votes $2.69 recipe / $0.67 serving Get the Recipe

This easy pumpkin soup is a simple, 20-minute recipe, and I especially like it as a fall swap for tomato soup alongside a gooey grilled cheese. And if you’re feeling creative, this soup is an excellent blank canvas for all sorts of delicious add-ins! (black beans, cauliflower, hot sauce, chipotle, whatever.)

3. Pumpkin Curry

Pumpkin Curry

This easy Pumpkin Curry recipe is a creamy vegan dinner made with fresh pumpkin, canned pumpkin, coconut milk, and warm spices. Cozy and budget-friendly! 4.50 from 2 votes $10.96 recipe / $2.74 serving Get the Recipe

This pumpkin curry uses pumpkin two ways: fresh chunks give you tender pieces to bite into, and canned purée makes the coconut milk sauce thick and velvety. It’s a whole vegan dinner, including rice, for $2.74 per serving and takes less than an hour. And if pie pumpkins aren’t available? Butternut squash works great here too.

4. Chipotle Pumpkin Pasta

Chipotle Pumpkin Pasta

This easy tomato-free Chipotle Pumpkin Pasta is smoky, spicy, creamy, and the perfect way to celebrate fall flavors. 4.89 from 34 votes $3.34 recipe / $0.84 serving Get the Recipe

Our chipotle pumpkin pasta is creamy, smoky, a little spicy, and a great way to break out of the usual tomato-sauce routine. Pumpkin purée forms the base of the sauce with broth, cream, Parmesan, and smoky chipotle powder, and the whole dinner takes just 30 minutes (which is very hard to argue with!)

All Things Pumpkin Pie

Is it even pumpkin season without pumpkin pie? I don’t think so. Start with the classic, turn it into easy bars or cute individual pies, or mix it up with a special maple syrup version. And if you’re planning a whole holiday menu, check out our Thanksgiving desserts for even more ideas!

5. Silky Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie

This simple pumpkin pie recipe is a Thanksgiving classic that uses a few tricks to make the silkiest texture and bold fall flavors. 4.41 from 5 votes $7.49 recipe / $0.62 serving Get the Recipe

If I’m making a classic pumpkin pie, I want it silky, warmly spiced, and absolutely worthy of that giant swirl of whipped cream on top. This recipe uses sour cream in the filling for an extra-smooth texture, and our simple 3-ingredient pie crust keeps the ingredient list manageable. If you’re short on time, a store-bought pie shell works too.

6. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Make your Thanksgiving dollar go further by using simple pantry staples to make these adorable and affordable Mini Pumpkin Pies! 5 from 15 votes $2.78 recipe / $0.23 each Get the Recipe

These adorable single-serving mini pumpkin pies are one of my favorite budget tricks for Thanksgiving. One batch makes 12 pies using about half the filling of a full-sized pumpkin pie, and the butter-and-cream-cheese crust is soft, moldable, and much more forgiving than traditional pie dough. You can even stash a few in the freezer for later. 😉

7. Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie

Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie

This Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie is the perfect special touch for your Thanksgiving dinner, without adding a lot of extra work or unusual ingredients. 4.79 from 14 votes $4.70 recipe / $0.59 serving Get the Recipe

This maple brown butter pumpkin pie is extra special thanks to nutty brown butter and rich maple syrup, but it doesn’t add a bunch of complicated steps to an already busy holiday. I’m all for using a store-bought crust here, too! You still get that smooth, warmly spiced pumpkin filling, with a little more depth that makes everyone wonder what you did differently.

8. Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Pie Bars

These easy Pumpkin Pie Bars are rich, creamy, full of warm spices, and made with a buttery shortbread crust. The perfect stress-free dessert to make this holiday season! 4.59 from 17 votes $6.11 recipe / $0.68 serving Get the Recipe

When you’ve got a taste for pumpkin pie but don’t want the added stress of making a homemade pie crust, these pumpkin pie bars are the perfect treat! The rich, custardy filling sits on a buttery 4-ingredient shortbread crust, and the bars are MUCH easier to portion for parties and holiday dinners. Cut them into nine big squares or make them smaller to stretch your dessert budget even further.

More Treats and Baked Goods

Once pumpkin season hits, I’m ready to bake. 😋 From an easy two-loaf pumpkin bread and fudgy brownies to cheesecake, muffins, and an impressive-looking pumpkin roll, these recipes bring plenty of cozy fall flavor without making baking more complicated than it needs to be.

9. Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

This easy Pumpkin Bread recipe makes two soft, tender loaves packed with warm spices and cozy fall flavor using simple, budget-friendly ingredients! 4.88 from 16 votes $5.45 recipe / $0.21 slice Get the Recipe

My homemade pumpkin bread is the warm and cozy bake I want with a cup of coffee on a chilly morning, and one inexpensive batch makes two whole loaves! I bloom the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon in warm oil before mixing the batter to bring out more of their flavor (a top tier move IMHO!). Enjoy one loaf now and freeze the other for later.

10. Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin Brownies Recipe

These easy Pumpkin Brownies are moist, delicious, and made from scratch. Topped with a creamy pumpkin cream cheese swirl and crunchy pecans! 5 from 5 votes $8.56 recipe / $0.95 serving Get the Recipe

Chocolate + pumpkin spice is already delicious, but I take these pumpkin brownies one step further with a pumpkin cheesecake swirl AND crunchy pecans on top. I use melted butter and a little oil to keep the brownie layer fudgy and ultra-moist rather than cakey. I recommend fully cooling them before slicing, though. That soft center sets as it cools, and you’ll get much cleaner squares.

11. Pumpkin Trifle

Pumpkin Trifle

Love pumpkin spice? Try this Pumpkin Trifle with homemade spiced cake, pumpkin cheesecake filling, and whipped cream. A fall dessert to impress! 5 from 2 votes $12.42 recipe / $1.04 serving Get the Recipe

When you need a dessert that feeds a crowd and brings a little drama to the table, make this pumpkin trifle. It has layers of homemade spiced cake, creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling, and whipped cream, and it makes enough to serve 12 people. I’d make the cake a day ahead so it has plenty of time to cool before assembling!

12. Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Roll

This Homemade Pumpkin Roll recipe is soft, spiced, and filled with a delicious cream cheese frosting. A stunning make-ahead dessert for fall! 4.67 from 6 votes $4.49 recipe / $0.56 serving Get the Recipe

I used to look at rolled cakes and assume they’re too complicated, but this pumpkin roll is much easier than it looks! The soft pumpkin-spice cake only bakes for 15 minutes before it’s rolled warm, cooled, and filled with cream cheese frosting.

13. Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

This creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is smooth, lightly spiced, and perfect for Thanksgiving. Easy to make without a water bath or springform pan! 5 from 1 vote $5.97 recipe / $0.74 serving Get the Recipe

A homemade cheesecake for less than $0.75 a slice?! This pumpkin cheesecake is smooth, lightly spiced, and beginner-friendly. A few simple mixing and cooling tricks help keep the filling smooth and crack-free, so it looks impressive without turning Thanksgiving dessert into an all-day project.

14. Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Muffins

These pumpkin muffins are moist, subtly sweet, full of warm spices and have a hidden dollop of sweet cream cheese in the center.  5 from 14 votes $4.92 recipe / $0.41 each Get the Recipe

Whenever I want a fall breakfast for on the go, I make a batch of these irresistible pumpkin muffins! They’re soft, subtly sweet, warmly spiced, and have a sweet cream cheese center tucked inside. Even better, one batch makes 12 muffins for about the price of one coffee-shop PSL.

15. Pumpkin Spice Fudge

Pumpkin Spice Fudge

This easy Pumpkin Spice Fudge recipe uses white chocolate, pumpkin puree, and warm spices for a festive fall treat. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser! 5 from 3 votes $9.48 recipe / $0.26 serving Get the Recipe

Forget finicky candy-making. I make this pumpkin spice fudge in the microwave with white chocolate, pumpkin purée, and warm fall spices, then let the fridge do the rest. There’s no candy thermometer required, and one batch makes 36 little pieces without a big grocery bill!

Other Fantastic Ways to Use Pumpkin

Don’t let any leftover pumpkin go to waste! I like to blend it into a quick smoothie, stir it into oatmeal, turn it into creamy pumpkin butter or cream cheese spread, or prep overnight oats for tomorrow morning. These easy recipes are also some of my favorite ways to stretch one can of pumpkin across more than one meal.

16. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Pumpkin Smoothie

Forget the PSL, this pumpkin smoothie should be the official drink of October. It's fast, easy, and tastes like a pumpkin pie milkshake! 4.86 from 21 votes $0.94 each Get the Recipe

This pumpkin smoothie tastes like a frosty pumpkin pie milkshake, but it takes only 5 minutes and costs less than $1 to make! Frozen banana gives it a thick, creamy texture, and ground flaxseed adds a subtle nutty flavor that almost tastes like graham cracker crust. It’s also an easy way to use up a little leftover pumpkin purée.

17. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Pumpkin cream cheese spread is the perfect autumn spread for bagels, toast, graham crackers, or even dipping apples. 5 from 2 votes $1.61 recipe / $0.27 serving Get the Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and full of warm fall spices, this pumpkin cream cheese spread takes about 10 minutes to make. Pile it onto bagels, toast, graham crackers, or apple slices. The recipe only uses half a block of cream cheese, too, so it’s easy to make a small batch when the pumpkin craving hits. It’s gooood.

18. Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

This recipe for Pumpkin Butter is easy, perfectly spiced, and budget-friendly. Spread it on toast, pancakes, or your favorite fall snacks! 5 from 3 votes $4.58 recipe / $0.19 serving Get the Recipe

This creamy pumpkin butter is one of my favorite homemade fall gifts, but I’m equally happy keeping a jar for myself. I simmer pumpkin purée with brown sugar, maple syrup, apple juice, and warm spices until it’s thick and spreadable. One batch makes a generous 3 cups, enough to fill six little 4-ounce jars, for just $0.19 per serving. Try it on toast, pancakes, oatmeal, or waffles!

19. Baked Pumpkin Pie oatmeal

Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal is a great make-ahead breakfast option that has all the great flavors of pumpkin pie packed into whole grain oats. 4.80 from 152 votes $3.84 recipe / $0.64 serving Get the Recipe

This is all the deliciousness of pumpkin pie baked into an easy, budget-friendly breakfast. There’s a reason this pumpkin pie baked oatmeal has long been one of our reader-favorite pumpkin recipes! It’s soft and custardy rather than dry and is a total bake-once-eat-all-week recipe! I’ll portion it after baking, then refrigerate or freeze it for easy mornings.

20. Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats are a great way to use up leftover pumpkin purée and are a delicious make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. 4.77 from 13 votes $0.95 each Get the Recipe

Overnight oats are one of my favorite budget meal prep staples, and what I love most is how easy they are to switch up with the seasons. These pumpkin pie overnight oats use pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and pecans for a cozy fall spin, and they’re a great way to use up leftover pumpkin.

More Recipe Roundups

21 Delicious Squash Recipes

16 Wonderful Winter Salad Recipes

15 Easy Stew Recipes

26 Cozy Casserole Recipes

The post Best Pumpkin Recipes appeared first on Budget Bytes.