If you’ve ever wondered how to cook pumpkin in the oven then this is the right recipe for you. I adore pumpkin and it always surprises people how easy pumpkin is to cook. Pumpkin is a wonderful vegetable and apart from using it for Halloween, it’s a great ingredient to use for meals and sweet dishes too. In this post, I will go through how to cook pumpkin in the oven and how to cook pumpkin cubes.
Delicious, hearty, and festive pumpkin dishes are staples in the colder months. You can buy canned pumpkin in stores, but there’s nothing like the amazing aroma of roasting pumpkin at home. If you’ve never cooked pumpkin yourself before, don’t be intimidated, this is an easy recipe for how to cook pumpkin in oven.
Top Questions
What is the best way to cook pumpkin?
What equipment do I need to cook a pumpkin?
Can I freeze cooked pumpkin?
Is pumpkin puree the same as pure pumpkin?
How long does it take for pumpkin to soften in oven?
Do you peel a pumpkin before roasting?
Why you’ll love this how to cook pumpkin recipe
Learning how to cook pumpkin is easy. It’s the first step in making lots of delicious dishes and you can either cook your pumpkin in the oven or cube it up first. It is so easy to cook a pumpkin in the oven. All you need to do is take your pumpkin, remove the seeds and place face down on an aluminium-lined baking tray. Cook a pumpkin in the oven; once it’s cooled you can use it for pumpkin cakes or pumpkin savoury dishes. The list is endless.
Pumpkin is a hugely versatile vegetable and can be used in a range of things including cakes. Think carrot cake but instead with pumpkin. Muffins and chocolate cake also work very well with mixed-in pumpkin puree.
For savoury dishes, oven cooked pumpkin is a great vegetable to use in a traybake with sausages and onions. It also tastes really good on a puff pastry sheet with chorizo. If you think of it like a sweeter potato or squash it can easily be adapted into those recipes.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a versatile, nutrient-rich vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. For those who want to add it to their fall recipes, oven-roasting pumpkin is a delicious and simple way to bring out its natural sweetness. You only need your pumpkin to cook pumpkin cubes in the oven.
How to cook pumpkin in the oven – step by step
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Yay it’s pumpkin season and it’s time to roast pumpkin.
Being very careful slice the pumpkin in half using a sharp knife.
Scoop out the seeds from the centre of the pumpkin. You can save the pumpkin seeds if you want to toast or roast them.
Line a baking tray or sheet pan with aluminium foil. Place the pumpkin cut side down.
Bake in the oven for about an hour until the flesh is soft. Leave to cool and then turn over to slice or scrape out the flesh.
If you want to make puree, scrape the flesh out of the pumpkin (photo above). If you want to keep it in chunks, slice gently and allow to cool.
Top Tips
You can freeze the pumpkin once it is cooked in the oven. Pop it in a freezer-proof container or freezer bag. This works best for puree as it stays soft.
Be careful when cutting the pumpkin as they are tricky to cut before you cook the pumpkin.
Allow to cool fully before scraping out the pumpkin flesh.
For a small pumpkin, I would recommend cooking the pumpkin cubes for 45 minutes.
Serving Suggestions – how to cook pumpkin in the oven
Savoury Pumpkin recipes
Use the cooked pumpkin cubes in a tart or roast them again with a little rub of salt, pepper and herbs. This goes so well with a roast dinner and is knowing how to cook a pumpkin is easy.
Pumpkin Puree
Once the pumpkin is cooked in the oven you can easily turn it into a puree. The puree can be used for cakes, bakes and of course the iconic pumpkin pie. If you want to make a puree you can either use a fork on the roast pumpkin to make a thick chunky puree. If you want a smooth puree, put it in a blender and pulse until the pumpkin is smooth.
Equipment
This list contains affiliate links
Substitutions and variations
Pumpkin with cinnamon
Cook a Pumpkin in the oven and add cinnamon, these are a famous combination. Adding pumpkin pie spice uses a lot of cinnamon and it really does produce a lovely taste with the earth flavour of the pumpkin.
Follow the recipe below for how to cook your pumpkin in the oven. Then once it’s cooked you can cube or mash the pumpkin to a puree. It’s at this point you can toss the pumpkin in a mix of cinnamon and other pumpkin pie spices or mix it in as you puree it. Cinnamon is a great spice and definitely one I would recommend using.
Storing home roasted pumpkin/ Making ahead of time options
Freezing roasted pumpkin
Having created lots of oven-cooked pumpkin I have divided it up into 200g portions and put some in the fridge and some in the freezer to use later. With what was left I have turned into brilliant recipes after popping the cooked pumpkin into the blender to make puree.
Your pumpkin cubes cooked in the oven will last for a few months in the freezer if properly stored. Make sure you place it in a freezer safe Tupperware or freezer bag.
FAQS
What is the best way to cook pumpkin?
The best way to cook pumpkin is in the oven. I really believe that roasting pumpkin gives the best results. The finished roast pumpkin can be used in a variety of dishes from sweet to savoury.
What equipment do I need to cook a pumpkin?
You don’t need any equipment to cook a pumpkin. The main items you will need for the preparation are a chopping board and a knife to cut the pumpkin in half. Then just a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
To cook the pumpkin you only need an oven and a baking tray. Plus aluminium foil as there will be some sticky juice that comes out which is much easier to collect in the silver foil. Anything to help reduce washing up right!
Can I freeze cooked pumpkin?
Yes, you can freeze cooked pumpkin or baked pumpkin. It’s a lovely way to use leftover pumpkin and get ahead and cook it before you need it. Pop the cooked pumpkin into a freezer-safe bag or container.
Is pumpkin puree the same as pure pumpkin?
Yes, pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin. Especially if you make it at home. You know it will be 100% pumpkin with no added extras. Of course, you can add flavours to your pumpkin puree. Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice of course are brilliant things you can add.
How long does it take for pumpkin to soften in oven?
Pumpkin takes about an hour to soften in the oven. This does depend on the size of your pumpkin though, smaller pumpkins will soften quicker. Usually in about 45 mins. Just keep an eye on the pumpkins so they don’t burn.
Do you peel a pumpkin before roasting?
No, you don’t need to peel a pumpkin before roasting, you will however want to scoop out the seeds. These can be dried to make a light snack.
Other Pumpkin Recipes you might like
Pumpkin Hand Pies – Easy Halloween Hand Pies
Pumpkin Traybake Cake – Easy Halloween Pumpkin Cake
Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Tart
Pumpkin Brownies (UK recipe)
Pin this recipe to enjoy later
Pin me for later or follow me @sewwhiteblog on Pinterest for my latest recipes and to discover my others.
Recipe
How to cook pumpkin – how to roast pumpkin
Equipment
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin medium to large size
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC / 356ºF / Gas mark 4.
- Cut the pumpkin in half. Be careful as it can be a tricky job.
- Scoop out the seeds and strands in the middle of the pumpkin. (You can keep the seeds if you want to roast/toast them)
- Add a layer of aluminium foil to the baking sheet / baking tray. Place the pumpkin halves inside side down.
- Pop the pumpkin halves in the oven for 1 hour until soft. If you want to make pumpkin puree cook for a few minutes longer. Check regularly from 45 minutes.
- Allow to cool before scraping out the inside of the pumpkin. The skin may separate from the flesh but that is absolutely fine.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
I can’t wait to give this a try! Great way to get fresh pumpkin purée. Perfect for the fall! Definitely saving this to my bookmarks!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy making it. The hardest part is cutting it in half.
I have never thought about cooking a pumpkin. This sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to try it.
I was the same until I had a spare pumpkin and decided to experiment. Now it’s the chosen way of cooking pumpkins.
Such great tips on how to cook pumpkin and so easy too! I love that it can easily be frozen for future use as well.
It’s such a versatile ingredient and so easy to use.
Fantastic advice for cooking pumpkin, love the idea of adding cinnamon to the pumpkin puree!
Cinnamon and pumpkin are two flavours that are a match made in heaven. I couldn’t cook a pumpkin without some of it turning into puree with a dash of cinnamon.
I had no idea making pumpkin puree was this easy. I’m never buying canned pumpkin again!
It is so easy right! It feels like it should be more complicated but brilliantly simple!
I love pumpkin recipes! This one is so easy and delicious.