15 Easy Pumpkin Puree Recipes From Creamy Pasta to Pumpkin Tiramisu

When it comes to time-saving ingredients, few things can compete with a can of pumpkin puree. While you can certainly roast your own pumpkin for Classic Pumpkin Pie and other pumpkin dishes, canned puree cuts the prep time considerably and is often even preferred for its consistent texture (no stringy bits!) and flavor. Plus, you can use it to add earthy, slightly sweet flavor to dishes year-round.

Most canned pumpkin puree is made from the flesh of Dickinson pumpkins, also known as Dickinson squash. These tan pumpkins are much larger than field or carving pumpkins (aka the kind used for jack-o-lanterns), and have dense, sweet flesh compared to other varieties. When you're using pumpkin puree in sweet and savory dishes, make sure to buy unsweetened pumpkin puree and not cans labeled as pumpkin pie filling, which is pre-sweetened and includes added spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

These are our favorite ways to use a can of pumpkin puree, from weeknight pastas to effortless desserts.