Creamy Pumpkin Puree (Printable version)

Smooth pumpkin blend with cream, butter, nutmeg, and cinnamon, perfect for comforting side dishes.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 2.2 lbs pumpkin (such as sugar pumpkin or butternut squash), peeled, seeded, and cubed

02 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

04 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

05 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

06 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

08 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pumpkin cubes and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until very tender.

02 - Drain the pumpkin thoroughly and return it to the pot.

03 - Add the butter and mash the pumpkin using a potato masher or blend with an immersion blender to achieve desired texture.

04 - Stir in the heavy cream, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and maple syrup or honey if using.

05 - Heat gently over low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture is warmed through and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.

06 - Serve hot as a side dish or use as a base for soups and sauces.

01 -

It transforms simple pumpkin into something luxuriously creamy and elegant, making you feel like you've unlocked a restaurant-quality side dish at home.
The whole process takes just 35 minutes, but tastes like you've been tending to it all day.
One batch becomes the foundation for soups, sauces, and breakfast dishes throughout the week.

02 -

Overcooked pumpkin breaks down into a watery mess if you're not careful with draining—the time you spend letting it drain is time well spent.
If your puree ends up too thick, add cream a splash at a time rather than all at once. You can always add more, but taking it out is impossible.

03 -

The moment you drain the pumpkin, set aside a small bowl of the cooking water—adding just a splash of it back if your puree ends up too thick creates a silkier texture than more cream alone.
Don't discount the power of tasting and seasoning as you go; what seems like enough salt at first often needs more once the cream is added and flavors dilute slightly.