Fall Evenings Made Sweet with 9 Easy Pumpkin Recipes

When the air turns crisp and daylight packs up early, a little pumpkin magic keeps things cheerful. 9 recipes turn ordinary evenings into ones that feel special without trying too hard. These quick fixes are the kind of sweet reward you’d expect after surviving a busy week. Each bite feels like the season giving a small nod of approval—because when pumpkin shows up, you know the night’s about to get just a bit better.

A slice of vegan spiced pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon on a white plate. — Vegan Spiced Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

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Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy pasta garnished with herbs, with a slice of bread on the side; a skillet and a small bowl of roasted vegetables are in the background. — Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Creamy sauces hit just right when things cool down outside. Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese gets scooped into bowls for snacking after dark or lunch leftovers. Big helpings hold up, so you keep coming back until the pot is scraped clean. People always ask if there’s extra when this gets made. No need for fancy sides since each scoop does the job.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Roasted Pumpkin Seed

A white bowl filled with roasted, seasoned pumpkin seeds on a light surface. — Roasted Pumpkin Seed. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

These crunchy bits make every snack break better, perfect for munching straight from a bowl. Roasted Pumpkin Seed works tossed on salads, over soup or packed up for road trips. The whole process is as fun as the eating. Bowls get passed around during movies or while hanging out. Not a seed left after a good show or busy night.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Seed

Vegan Pumpkin Soup

Hot bowls bring everyone to the table with smooth sips at the end of a long day. Vegan Pumpkin Soup makes it easy to settle in for TV time or a slow dinner. Heats up great next day with leftovers lasting through lunch. Slices of bread on the side finish things off. People go back to refill their bowls again.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Soup

Vegan Pumpkin Cookies

Several peanut butter cookies with a crisscross pattern on top are arranged on crumpled parchment paper, with some crumbs scattered around. — Vegan Pumpkin Cookies. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Soft cookies stack up fast when everyone’s in the mood for something sweet. Vegan Pumpkin Cookies stay chewy for days if you can keep them around that long. Perfect for packing in lunch or grabbing during study breaks. Plates empty so quick you blink and they’re gone. No crumbs left to sweep after these hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Cookies

Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

Spreads turn snack time interesting with a spread that feels creamy and bright. Roasted Pumpkin Hummus dips easy with chips or works great tucked into wraps. People grab carrots or crackers for dipping again and again. Packs up nice for lunch or group grazing. Not just a dip but a lunchbox star.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

Pumpkin Risotto

Creamy bowls warm up chilly evenings after a long day out. Pumpkin Risotto keeps you reaching for another spoonful since it’s got a smooth bite and the right finish. Fills up the house with good smells while it’s being made. Stays rich even as leftovers the next day. Everyone gets quiet at the table until bowls are wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Risotto

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Close-up of dessert bars with a crumbly base, pumpkin filling, whipped topping, dusted with cinnamon, and garnished with pumpkin seeds. — Pumpkin Pie Bars. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Dessert trays finally get interesting with slice-and-go bars for group hangs. Pumpkin Pie Bars show up at potlucks for a reason since each square comes out sturdy. They fit in lunch for a mid-day lift or work great with coffee later. You get asked for these again and again by everyone who tries one. The pan empties faster than you’d think.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Waffles

Lazy nights work best with breakfast for dinner served hot and stacked. Pumpkin Waffles hold up to syrup or whatever extra you’ve got to throw on top. Leftovers freeze so you can eat them whenever the mood hits. Double the batch since people hover over the waffle maker. Not a single slice stays on the tray.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Waffles

Vegan Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Pie plates cut clean with soft slices when you want something classic but simple. Vegan Spiced Pumpkin Pie chills in the fridge so you can grab dessert any time. Works plain or with a scoop on top after dinner. Heats up fine for breakfast the next day without losing a step. No piece ever makes it through the whole weekend.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Spiced Pumpkin Pie