Creative Ways to Use Leftover Pumpkin Puree by Sommer

Last week I came home from the grocery store with eight cans of pumpkin puree. EIGHT!

Was I planning to get an early start on pumpkin pie making for the holidays?

No. That would be a logical reason to have so many cans of pumpkin in the grocery cart. Yet the truth is, I just got overly excited.

 
 

It was the first truly crisp fall day here in the Blue Ridge. When I walked outside to get in my car, I breathed in the cool air, and watched the first few leaves beginning to fall off our trees. And to top it all, I had a jacket on!

So needless to say, I got carried away at the stores and ended up with eight cans of pumpkin puree, a tub of candy corns, decorative paper napkins with an autumn leaf motif, and a half-pound of chestnuts … all while sipping a Pumpkin Spice Latte from the Starbucks taunting me at the front entrance.

I am such a sucker!

 
 

There’s a bright side to this though. Since I have such an abundance of pumpkin puree lingering in my kitchen, I’ve found all sorts of fun and delicious ways to use it.

If you find yourself with extra pumpkin puree on your hands this season, I’ve got some suggestions for you!

 
 

Pumpkin Chili
Substitute canned tomatoes for pumpkin puree. You’ll be amazed at how rich and earthy your chili will taste.

Pumpkin Soup
If you like butternut squash soup, Pumpkin Soup is right up your alley! Simmer the pumpkin puree with onions, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, and a little wine or vinegar. Then puree!

Pumpkin BBQ Sauce
Simmer pumpkin puree with molasses, brown sugar, onions, jalapenos, and spices.

 
 

Pumpkin Pan Sauce for Proteins and Pasta
A little cream, a little pumpkin, a little broth, a little garlic, and you’ve got a quick pan sauce that would make any meal seem magical.

Pumpkin Risotto
Mix your leftover pumpkin puree into arborio rice with chicken stock, white wine, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.

Pumpkin Lasagna
Mix pumpkin puree into the sauce of your favorite lasagna recipe to add depth and intrigue!

Pumpkin Pizza
Try spread pumpkin puree over pizza crust, instead of traditional pizza sauce. Then top with goat cheese, fresh herbs, figs, and prosciutto.

 
 

Pumpkin Snack Dip
Mix cream cheese, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Then use as a dip for graham crackers and apple slices. This also makes a great spread for bagels and toast.

Pumpkin Leather
Mix the leftover pumpkin puree with sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Then spread it on a dehydrator tray and press go.

Pumpkin Salsa
Take your basic homemade salsa recipe and substitute canned pumpkin for the tomatoes. You won’t believe what a difference it makes.

 
 

Pumpkin Smoothies or Milkshakes
A spoonful (or two) of pumpkin puree will turn your morning protein shake into something spectacular. I even like it with chocolate protein powder.

Pumpkin Whipped Cream
Whip heavy cream like you normally would, then whip in a little pumpkin puree and nutmeg at the end.

Pumpkin Butter
Love apple butter? Turn your leftovers into luscious pumpkin butter by simmering it on the stovetop with sugar and pumpkin pie spice.

 
 

Pumpkin Oatmeal
Add a little pumpkin puree to your morning oatmeal to make it extra thick and tasty!

Pumpkin Pancakes or Waffles
A little pumpkin puree not only gives pancake and waffle batter fabulous fall flavorful, it makes them extra soft and sumptuous. Try it!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Mix pumpkin puree into the cream, eggs, and sugar before tossing it with day-old bread. Two leftovers, one dazzling dessert!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
When prepping homemade cinnamon rolls, mix pumpkin puree in with the butter and cinnamon. Then spread it over the dough and roll.

 
 

If you’ve got a create use for leftover pumpkin puree, we’d love to hear it! Leave a comment below and tell us all about it.