Fall is when pumpkin and winter squash truly come into their own. From creamy soups and hearty dinners to salads, breakfast, and, of course, dessert, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy them.
I love how easily these ingredients move from savory to sweet. A simple roasted squash can become a cozy weeknight dinner, while pumpkin can just as easily find its way into French toast or a beautiful dessert.
If you are ready for all the warm flavors of fall, these are some of my favorite pumpkin and winter squash recipes to make all season long.
In this Article
A Note From Giangi
Cozy Soups and Savory Starters
Pumpkin Ginger Soup
Velvety and savory, I love to offer this soup not only on a cold night but also at our Thanksgiving dinner. It is the perfect start to a great evening, served in small bowls.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Ginger Soup
Pomegranate, Acorn Squash, Arugula Salad
This easy and even more delicious recipe is the perfect salad for a light dinner or a great side dish during the holidays. Rich in flavor, it is easy to assemble. Acorn squash is an all-year-round vegetable and quite versatile. Its outer shape helps guide you while slicing.
Get the recipe: Pomegranate, Acorn Squash Arugula Salad
Delicata Squash, Radicchio, and Garbanzo Salad
Tender roasted delicata squash, peppery radicchio, and garbanzo beans come together in a hearty fall salad that works beautifully as a light dinner or seasonal side dish.
Get the recipe: Delicata Squash, Radicchio, and Garbanzo Salad
Pumpkin and Squash Dinner recipes
Green Acorn Squash With Honey Vinaigrette
This straightforward and savory dish is the perfect addition to any meal and any time of the year, 30 minutes from beginning to end, with only five ingredients.
Get the recipe: Green Acorn Squash With Honey Vinaigrette
Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash
This easy sausage stuffed butternut squash with apples and spinach brings together everything I love about fall cooking. Sweet roasted squash, savory sausage, and cranberries make this a beautiful main course or holiday side dish.
Get the recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash Risotto
Creamy, comforting, and brimming with rich autumn flavors, this Butternut Squash Risotto is the perfect way to warm your table. Made with tender Arborio rice, sweet roasted squash, and a delicate touch of Parmesan, it is an elegant dish that feels as cozy as it tastes.
Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto
Gratin Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, and Orzo Pasta
Creamy butternut squash, cauliflower, tender orzo, and plenty of cheese make this one of those cozy fall dinners you will want to make again and again.
Get the recipe: Gratin Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, and Orzo Pasta
Pumpkin Breakfast and Brunch
Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce
Start your weekend stress-free with this delicious pumpkin French toast. This recipe combines the warmth of seasonal flavors with the comfort of a homemade breakfast.
Get the recipe: Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce
Pumpkin Desserts
Pumpkin Tiramisu
This super-easy dessert recipe is perfect during the Autumn months. The beautiful colors and fall flavors are showcased in a beautiful glass, inviting you to enjoy Thanksgiving and any other occasion. If you love pumpkin as much as I do, you will find more delicious pumpkin desserts for Thanksgiving, along with a few other wonderful sweets to finish your holiday meal.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu
Miniature Pumpkin-Spice Bundt Cakes
I am in full fall bloom with my cooking and baking — I so love this time of the year. And these Miniature Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cakes, one of my favorites, are basically fall in dessert form!
Get the recipe: Miniature Pumpkin-Spice Bundt Cakes
Pumpkin and White Chocolate Souffle Cake – Autumn At Its Best
This Pumpkin and White Chocolate Soufflé Cake captures autumn in every bite, light, airy, and gently spiced, with a touch of creamy sweetness from the white chocolate. It is an elegant yet comforting dessert that is perfect for fall gatherings or a special treat at home. Fall is finally here!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin and White Chocolate Souffle Cake – Autumn At Its Best
Chocolate Swirled Pumpkin Bars
Chocolate-swirled pumpkin bars. To all my chocolate lovers, do I have a treat for you today? Imagine sweet, soft, decadent chocolate blended with an even smoother, full-of-flavor pumpkin sponge-like cake… Is your mouth watering yet?
Get the recipe: Chocolate Swirled Pumpkin Bars
Choosing Pumpkin and Winter Squash
When shopping for winter squash, look for ones that feel heavy for their size with firm skin and no soft spots.
Butternut squash is naturally sweet and wonderfully creamy, making it perfect for soups, risotto, gratins, and stuffing.
Acorn squash has a slightly nuttier flavor and is delicious roasted or added to salads.
Delicata squash is one of my favorites because the skin is tender enough to eat, which means no peeling.
And for baking, pumpkin puree is one of the easiest ways to bring that beautiful fall flavor into breakfast and desserts.
Giangi’s Fall Cooking Tips
Choose squash that feels heavy and firm. That usually means you have a nice, dense interior.
Use a very sharp chef’s knife when cutting winter squash. They can be stubborn, so take your time.
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of almost every winter squash. A little olive oil, salt, and pepper are often all you need.
Do not throw away the seeds. Clean and roast them with a little olive oil and seasoning for an easy snack.
If a recipe calls for pumpkin puree, make sure you are using pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling
Cozy Pumpkin and Winter Squash Recipes for Fall FAQs
Is pumpkin a winter squash?
Yes. Pumpkin belongs to the winter squash family, along with butternut, acorn, delicata, and several other varieties.
What is the sweetest winter squash?
Butternut squash is one of the sweetest and most versatile varieties, which is why it works so well in both savory dishes and soups.
Which winter squash do you not have to peel?
Delicata squash has tender skin that becomes completely edible once cooked.
Can I substitute one winter squash for another?
Often, yes. Butternut and acorn squash can frequently be substituted for one another in roasted dishes, although the flavor and cooking time may vary slightly.
What is the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?
Pumpkin puree is simply cooked, pureed pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices, so it should not be substituted unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
Art
I have been fortunate enough to have eaten them all. What a treat. Delicious!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed them.