Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas
A smooth, warming pumpkin soup seasoned with autumn spices and topped with crunchy toasted pepitas, perfect for a festive Halloween appetizer. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, medium onion, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups pumpkin puree
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cups pumpkin puree, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and heat through for 3 minutes without boiling.
- Step 6: Toast 1/4 cup pepitas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they begin to pop and become fragrant. Sprinkle toasted pepitas on top of soup before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pumpkin puree from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Halloween Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
