Delicious Pumpkin Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Topping: Your New Holiday Favorite

Step into the festive season with a delightful twist on a classic holiday side dish: our creamy Pumpkin Casserole recipe, crowned with an irresistible brown sugar and pecan streusel. This comforting bake draws inspiration from the ever-popular sweet potato casserole, but with a vibrant seasonal upgrade. We’ve swapped the traditional sweet potatoes for rich, smooth canned pumpkin puree, then topped it all with a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel. The result is a uniquely flavorful and aromatic dish that brings all the warmth and spice of autumn to your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special fall gathering. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a sweet and savory masterpiece that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays!

This year, as the autumn leaves turn golden and the air fills with the inviting scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, I envisioned creating something truly special for our holiday table – a dish that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. After several months of development, meticulously perfecting ratios and balancing flavors, this pumpkin casserole emerged as the undisputed star. It retains the comforting essence of the timeless sweet potato casserole, but with a distinct and celebrated pumpkin heart. By utilizing convenient and consistently smooth canned pumpkin puree, this recipe becomes not only impressive but also incredibly approachable for even the busiest home cooks during the festive rush.

Just like its cherished sweet potato inspiration, this pumpkin casserole is generously adorned with a luscious brown sugar and pecan streusel topping. This golden crown is more than just a garnish; it’s a critical component, delivering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Imagine the rich sweetness of brown sugar, the comforting chewiness of buttery crumbs, and the satisfying crunch of perfectly toasted pecans. The base layer of the casserole is intentionally crafted with a more subtle sweetness compared to the topping. This thoughtful balance creates a harmonious “sweet and savory” dynamic rather than being overly sugary, ensuring that every spoonful offers a complex symphony of fall flavors, making it an ideal accompaniment to richer holiday main courses without overwhelming the palate.

One of the most valuable benefits this recipe offers, especially during the hectic holiday season, is its exceptional flexibility: it can be prepared largely ahead of time! Imagine the relief of assembling this beautiful casserole the day before your grand holiday feast. Simply mix the ingredients, layer them in your dish, cover, and refrigerate. On the celebratory day, all that’s left is to slide it into the oven. This invaluable make-ahead option grants you more precious time to spend with loved ones, focus on other intricate dishes, or simply relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Recipes that intelligently simplify holiday meal preparation are always a welcome addition, and this pumpkin and pecan casserole truly stands out as a stress-reducing, flavor-packed solution.

Why This Pumpkin Casserole Will Become Your New Holiday Tradition

Discover the compelling reasons why this easy and delightful pumpkin casserole is destined to become a beloved staple at your holiday gatherings, captivating both seasoned gourmands and picky eaters alike.

• Perfect for the Enchanting Holiday Season: Pumpkin and the holidays are a match made in culinary heaven, a pairing as classic and comforting as peanut butter and jelly. This sweet and savory pumpkin casserole is more than just a dish; it’s an edible embodiment of autumn and winter festivities. It offers a wonderful and exciting alternative or complement to traditional sweet potato bakes, introducing a fresh, yet familiar, beloved flavor to your holiday table that everyone will adore.
• The Unforgettable Crunchy Streusel Topping: What truly elevates this casserole is its glorious streusel crown. Picture a golden-brown, irresistible crust of buttery crumbs, richly infused with sweet brown sugar and studded with perfectly toasted, crispy pecans. This topping isn’t merely an afterthought; it’s an integral component that provides an incredible textural contrast to the smooth, creamy pumpkin base. Every forkful delivers a delightful crunch that will undoubtedly have your guests reaching for a second helping, making it a textural dream.
• A Clever and Delicious Way to Utilize Pumpkin Puree: Whether you’ve wisely stocked up on canned pumpkin puree during a fantastic seasonal sale or find yourself with an abundance of homemade puree from autumn’s bountiful harvest, this recipe offers a fantastic and flavorful solution. It’s an excellent way to transform extra pumpkin into a celebrated and much-anticipated dish, ensuring that no delicious puree goes to waste. It expands beyond typical pumpkin pies and lattes, showcasing pumpkin’s incredible versatility in a context that’s both savory and sweet.
• Effortless Make-Ahead Convenience: Holiday meal preparation can often feel like a demanding marathon. This pumpkin casserole offers the invaluable advantage of being largely prepared ahead of time, significantly easing your workload on the big day. You can easily assemble the pumpkin base and even the streusel topping a full day in advance, refrigerate it, and simply bake on the day of your gathering. This flexibility dramatically reduces last-minute stress, allowing you to immerse yourself more fully in the joyous festivities and spend quality time with loved ones.
• Perfectly Balanced Sweet and Savory Profile: Unlike some overly sweet holiday dishes that can sometimes be cloying, this casserole strikes a beautiful and sophisticated balance. The subtly sweet pumpkin base harmonizes exquisitely with the richer, sweeter pecan streusel, creating a nuanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. It’s perfectly sweet enough to feel indulgent and festive, yet savory enough to truly complement and enhance other savory holiday entrees without being overwhelming.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pumpkin Casserole

Crafting this irresistibly comforting pumpkin casserole begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need, along with crucial tips for each component to ensure your dish is a resounding success.

• Pumpkin Puree: This is unequivocally the star of our casserole! It is absolutely crucial to use plain, unsweetened 100% pumpkin puree, and NOT “pumpkin pie filling.” Pumpkin pie filling typically contains added sugars, spices, and sometimes even thickeners, all of which would disrupt the carefully balanced flavors and textures of this recipe. Always take a moment to double-check the can label before purchasing to ensure you’re using pure pumpkin. Opting for a high-quality puree guarantees a smooth, creamy, and vibrantly flavored base.
• Sugar: We employ a strategic combination of sugars to achieve optimal sweetness and complex flavor. Granulated white sugar is incorporated into the pumpkin base, providing a clean, straightforward sweetness that allows the natural, earthy pumpkin and warm spice flavors to truly shine. Brown sugar, with its rich molasses notes, is specifically reserved for the streusel topping. This choice contributes a deeper, caramel-like richness and is instrumental in creating that desirable chewy-crisp texture in the crumble.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This aromatic spice blend is quintessential for capturing that authentic, nostalgic fall flavor we all crave. While readily available in grocery stores throughout the autumn months, you also have the option to easily whip up your own homemade pumpkin pie spice mix from individual spices. Alternatively, a simple substitution using common pantry spices works perfectly if you’re in a pinch (details provided below in a dedicated section). Having this blend on hand ensures all your holiday baking projects are infused with irresistible warmth.
• Heavy Cream (or Milk): Heavy cream is our preferred choice as it lends a luxurious richness and a sumptuously velvety texture to the pumpkin base, making the casserole incredibly indulgent. However, if you prefer a lighter option or simply don’t have heavy cream on hand, whole milk can be used with excellent results, yielding a slightly less rich but still delicious consistency. For a dairy-free alternative, full-fat canned coconut milk works beautifully, adding its own subtle tropical note.
• Eggs: Two large eggs are an essential binding agent in the pumpkin mixture. Their primary role is to provide crucial structure to the casserole, ensuring the pumpkin layer sets beautifully and holds its form as it bakes. This prevents the base from becoming too watery or crumbly when served, contributing to a cohesive and pleasant texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is always our preference for its rich, complex aroma that effortlessly enhances all the other flavors in the dish without ever overpowering them. However, a good-quality artificial vanilla extract is a perfectly acceptable and more budget-friendly alternative that will still contribute significantly to the dish’s overall warmth, depth, and sweet appeal.
• Butter: For this particular recipe, we highly recommend using salted butter. The subtle hint of salt inherent in salted butter helps to expertly balance the sweetness and deepens the overall flavor profile of both the creamy pumpkin base and the crunchy streusel topping. If you only have unsalted butter available, simply add an extra pinch (approximately ¼ teaspoon) of salt to both the pumpkin mixture and the streusel topping for comparable results.
• Other Essential Spices: A dash of extra salt in the pumpkin layer is vital for sharpening and brightening the flavors, preventing the casserole from tasting flat. Additionally, a little extra ground cinnamon complements the pumpkin pie spice beautifully, boosting the overall warmth, complexity, and aromatic appeal of the entire dish.

For the Irresistible Pecan Streusel Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour: This provides the essential structure and body for our delightfully crumbly topping. For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, a reliable 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend can be successfully substituted without compromising the texture or integrity of the streusel.
• Brown Sugar: Beyond its sweetness, brown sugar is crucial for the streusel, as its molasses content provides moisture, a deep caramel-like flavor, and contributes significantly to the delightful chewiness of the baked crumbs. Always ensure it’s firmly packed into your measuring cup for accurate quantities.
• Cold Salted Butter: Cold, cubed, or grated butter is paramount for creating distinct, separate crumbs that yield a perfectly flaky, crisp texture when baked. The cold butter prevents it from fully melting too quickly, creating pockets of steam that result in a light and airy streusel. The salt in the butter also beautifully enhances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
• Pecans: Coarsely chopped pecans are the quintessential choice for this streusel, offering a distinct nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy pumpkin. Walnuts make a wonderful substitution if you prefer their taste, or for a completely nut-free option, you can omit them entirely or substitute with toasted oats or seeds.

Crafting Your Homemade Pumpkin Casserole: A Simple Guide to Holiday Perfection

This easy-to-follow holiday casserole recipe is guaranteed to be a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for joyous family gatherings and memorable festive celebrations! Its harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors, coupled with comforting warm spices, makes it the quintessential dish to celebrate the abundant and cozy pumpkin season.

Preparing the Velvety Pumpkin Base:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to a moderate 350ºF (177ºC). While the oven heats, lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) casserole dish; this crucial step ensures easy removal and prevents any sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire contents of the pumpkin puree cans, the ¼ cup of melted salted butter, the granulated white sugar, heavy cream (or your chosen milk alternative), vanilla extract, the aromatic pumpkin pie spice, an additional touch of ground cinnamon, and the salt. Stir these ingredients thoroughly with a whisk or spatula until they are completely well combined and the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. In a separate, smaller bowl, lightly beat the two large eggs until just scrambled. Gently fold the beaten eggs into the prepared pumpkin mixture, stirring just until they are fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing at this stage, as it’s not necessary and can sometimes affect texture.
4. Carefully pour the rich pumpkin filling evenly into your prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread it into a perfectly smooth, even layer across the entire bottom of the dish. Set this aside while you proceed to prepare the irresistible streusel topping.

Creating the Golden Streusel and Baking to Golden Perfection

Assembling the Crunchy Pecan Streusel:

5. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the ½ cup of all-purpose flour and ¾ cup of packed brown sugar. This step is important to ensure an even distribution of sweetness and to prevent any clumps in your streusel.
6. Prepare your cold butter: you have two excellent options. You can either slice the cold salted butter into small, uniform cubes, or for an even finer, more crumbly streusel, freeze the butter for about 15-20 minutes beforehand and then grate it using the large holes of a box grater.
7. If using cubed butter, add it to the flour and brown sugar mixture. Use a pastry blender (a very useful tool for this) or two sturdy forks to “cut” the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, similar in size to small peas. If you opted for grated butter, simply stir it into the flour and sugar mixture until just combined.
8. Gently fold in 1 cup of coarsely chopped pecans (or walnuts, if you’re using them) into the streusel mixture. Stir carefully to ensure the nuts are evenly distributed among the buttery crumbs, providing crunch in every bite.
9. Carefully and generously sprinkle this delicious pecan streusel mixture evenly over the top of the pumpkin layer in the casserole dish. Ensure thorough coverage for that coveted perfect crunchy crust.

Baking Your Holiday Masterpiece:

10. Place the casserole into your preheated oven (350ºF / 177ºC) and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. The casserole is fully cooked and ready when the edges of the pumpkin base are visibly bubbly, the streusel topping has achieved a beautiful golden-brown hue, and the pecans are fragrant and well-toasted.
11. Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for at least 10-15 minutes before attempting to scoop and serve. This crucial cooling period is essential for two reasons: it allows the topping to crisp up further, enhancing its texture, and it gives the pumpkin base a chance to set slightly, preventing it from being too loose.
12. A note on texture and presentation: This pumpkin casserole is intentionally designed to be wonderfully creamy and soft on the inside, which means it won’t hold a perfectly firm slice like a cake or brownie. It’s meant to be scooped and thoroughly enjoyed for its luscious, comforting texture. Please don’t worry about achieving a perfectly neat aesthetic; its incredible, heartwarming flavor more than makes up for its charmingly rustic presentation!

No Pumpkin Pie Spice? No Problem! Here’s a Simple Homemade Substitute

Finding yourself without a bottle of pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice when the craving for this casserole strikes? There’s absolutely no need to panic or make a last-minute trip to the grocery store! You can effortlessly create a perfectly aromatic and flavorful homemade blend using individual spices that are likely already staples in your pantry. This quick substitution will imbue your pumpkin casserole with all the warm, comforting, and authentic fall flavors you desire.

Alternatively, if you often find yourself reaching for pumpkin spice during the autumn months, you could always prepare a larger batch of homemade pumpkin pie spice to keep on hand in an airtight container for future baking projects and seasonal treats.

To create the perfect blend for this recipe, combine the following:

• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

This specific blend will yield slightly more spice than the exact 2 teaspoons typically called for in the casserole recipe (it measures out to approximately 2 ¼ teaspoons total). You have the flexibility to choose: you can either include the entire amount for an extra, robust punch of spice, or simply use 2 teaspoons – the choice is entirely yours! The slight variation in quantity will not significantly impact the overall deliciousness of the casserole.

Top Tip: Customizing the Sweetness to Perfectly Match Your Palate

When I meticulously developed this pumpkin casserole recipe, my primary aim was to create a dish that was delightfully sweet, yet not overwhelmingly sugary, ensuring it would appeal to a broad spectrum of palates. It offers a more nuanced and balanced sweetness compared to a traditional sweet potato casserole, even though the latter served as its initial, inspiring muse. The goal was to let the natural flavors of pumpkin and spice shine through, complemented by just the right amount of sweetness.

However, if your ideal holiday side dish features a more pronounced, “candied” or dessert-like flavor profile, reminiscent of classic sugary treats, you can very easily adjust the sweetness level to your exact liking. The simplest way to achieve this is to incrementally increase the amount of granulated white sugar specifically in the pumpkin base layer. Scaling it up by an extra tablespoon or two, or even increasing it to ¾ cup as suggested in the recipe notes, will yield a noticeably sweeter casserole, bringing it closer to that intensely sweet, indulgent experience some may crave during festive occasions. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect sweet spot!

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Pumpkin Casserole

Making holiday meals smoother and more enjoyable often involves smart planning for storage and efficient reheating of leftovers. This pumpkin casserole is exceptionally well-suited for advanced preparation and continues to be a delectable treat even after a day or two, making future meals effortless.

Storing Leftovers:

Once your glorious pumpkin casserole has cooled completely to room temperature after baking, it’s time to store it properly. Transfer any leftover portions to an airtight container to preserve its freshness and flavor. Alternatively, if you plan to keep it in the original baking dish, ensure it’s meticulously wrapped with several layers of plastic wrap or tightly sealed with aluminum foil. When properly stored in the refrigerator, this delightful casserole will maintain its deliciousness and quality for up to 4 days.

Reheating for Continued Enjoyment:

• The Microwave Method: The quickest and most convenient method for reheating individual portions of pumpkin casserole is undoubtedly the microwave. However, it’s important to note that while efficient, this method will inevitably soften the delightful crispness of the streusel topping. Most of the time, this slight textural change is perfectly acceptable for quick enjoyment.
• Oven or Toaster Oven for Crispness: For those who truly appreciate and desire to restore that satisfyingly crispy streusel topping, reheating in a conventional oven or a toaster oven is highly recommended. Preheat your oven to a moderate 300°F (150°C). Place the casserole (or individual portions) in an oven-safe dish, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning of the topping, and bake until it is warmed through – this usually takes about 15-25 minutes for individual portions, and longer for a larger casserole. For the last few minutes of reheating, remove the foil to allow the streusel to re-crisp beautifully.
• Air Fryer for Small Portions: The air fryer presents another fantastic option for quickly reheating smaller portions while preserving that coveted crisp topping. Simply place a single serving in your air fryer basket and heat it at approximately 325°F (160°C) for 5-10 minutes, checking periodically, until it’s piping hot and the topping is perfectly crispy once more.

Can I Make This Pumpkin Casserole Ahead of Time? Absolutely!

Yes, this pumpkin and pecan casserole is a dream come true for efficient holiday meal planning, making it an ideal make-ahead option for both bustling Thanksgiving and festive Christmas dinners. Advanced preparation significantly reduces stress and saves valuable time on the big day, allowing you to focus on other culinary masterpieces or, more importantly, to relax and fully enjoy the company of your guests.

• Assemble and Refrigerate: You can entirely assemble the casserole – both the creamy pumpkin base and the prepared streusel topping – up to 24 hours in advance of when you plan to bake it. Once assembled, ensure the baking dish is tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then refrigerate it until you’re ready for baking.
• For Optimal Streusel Crispness: For the absolute best results and to ensure an intensely crispy topping when served, we highly recommend storing the streusel mixture separately from the pumpkin base. Prepare the streusel as instructed, then place it in a small, airtight plastic bag or container and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Just before you’re ready to bake the casserole, simply sprinkle the prepared streusel evenly over the pumpkin layer. This simple trick prevents the streusel from becoming soggy while it sits in the fridge.
• Preventing Temperature Shock (Important Tip!): A common concern when baking make-ahead dishes, particularly those in glass baking dishes, is the risk of temperature shock when moving a very cold dish directly into a hot oven. This sudden change in temperature can sometimes cause glass bakeware to crack or even shatter. To safely and effectively prevent this:
  • Option 1 (Gradual Room Temperature Warm-up): Allow the fully assembled, chilled casserole dish to sit out at room temperature for approximately 1 hour before placing it into your preheated oven. This gradual warming helps to gently bring the dish closer to oven temperature, mitigating the extreme temperature differential.
  • Option 2 (Cold Oven Start Method): As an equally effective alternative, you can place the cold casserole dish directly into a cold oven. Then, set your oven to the required baking temperature of 350ºF (177ºC) and allow it to preheat with the baking dish already inside. Start counting the baking time only once the oven has fully reached its target temperature. This method provides an even slower, more gentle warm-up for the dish and the ingredients, virtually eliminating the risk of temperature shock.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Pumpkin Casserole Every Time

Transform your delicious pumpkin casserole into an absolutely unforgettable culinary masterpiece with these tried-and-true expert tips and tricks:

• The Crucial Importance of Cooling: Patience truly is a virtue, especially when it comes to serving casseroles! Resist the tempting urge to immediately dive in as soon as the dish emerges from the oven. If you start scooping right away, you’ll likely find that the streusel topping isn’t as crisp as desired, and the pumpkin base might be a little too loose or watery. For the absolute best results – a perfectly set, creamy base and a wonderfully crisp, golden topping – allow the casserole to cool at room temperature for a minimum of 10-15 minutes (or even up to 30 minutes) before serving. This essential cooling period allows the starches in the pumpkin to properly set and the streusel topping to achieve its ideal, satisfying crunch.
• Quality Pumpkin Puree Makes All the Difference: Just as with preparing your very best pumpkin pie, the quality of your pumpkin puree significantly impacts the final taste, texture, and overall appeal of your casserole. Always opt for a brand you trust and whose flavor you genuinely enjoy. Many experienced home cooks, including myself, consistently prefer brands like Libby’s for its remarkably consistent smooth consistency, vibrant deep orange color, and robust, authentic pumpkin flavor. Using a high-quality puree ensures your finished dish has that rich, true pumpkin essence that truly defines the season.
• The Strategic Magic of Using Two Types of Sugar: It might initially seem unconventional or even like a mistake that the recipe calls for granulated white sugar for the base and brown sugar for the topping, but this is a completely deliberate and highly effective choice that yields superior flavor results. Through extensive testing, I discovered that using only brown sugar throughout the entire casserole resulted in a flavor profile that was a bit too deep, heavy, and one-dimensional for the delicate pumpkin layer. By employing white sugar in the pumpkin base, we achieve a clean, pure sweetness that allows the natural flavors of pumpkin and its accompanying spices to shine brightly. Conversely, brown sugar, with its rich molasses content, is perfectly suited for the streusel, contributing to its distinct caramel notes, enhanced moisture, and desirable chewiness. This dual-sugar approach creates a far more complex, nuanced, and beautifully balanced flavor profile in the final dish.
• Enhance Flavor by Toasting Your Pecans: For an even deeper, more pronounced nutty flavor in your streusel topping, consider taking an extra minute to lightly toast your chopped pecans before incorporating them into the mixture. Simply spread them in a single layer on a dry baking sheet and toast them in a 350°F (177°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until they become wonderfully fragrant and slightly darker. Be sure to let them cool completely before adding them to the streusel mixture. This small, extra step significantly elevates their aroma and intensifies their delicious taste.
• Ensure Room Temperature Ingredients for the Base: While the butter for the streusel absolutely needs to be cold, allowing your eggs and heavy cream (or milk) for the pumpkin base to come to room temperature before mixing can make a noticeable difference. Room temperature ingredients emulsify more effectively, resulting in a smoother, more homogenous batter for your pumpkin layer. This also helps the casserole to bake more evenly and achieve a consistent texture throughout.

Creative Variations and Easy Substitutions for Your Pumpkin Casserole

This delightful pumpkin casserole recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for effortless adjustments to suit various dietary needs, personal taste preferences, or simply what you have available in your pantry. Don’t hesitate to get creative and experiment!

• Dairy-Free Delight: Crafting a delicious dairy-free version of this casserole is straightforward. Simply swap the heavy cream for an equal amount of full-fat canned coconut milk; ensure you use the thick cream from the top of the can for the richest, most luxurious texture. For the butter used in both the pumpkin base and the streusel topping, substitute with your favorite high-quality plant-based butter alternative. Most reputable brands will perform seamlessly in this recipe, effectively maintaining that beloved buttery richness.
• Gluten-Free Perfection: Achieving a perfectly delicious gluten-free pumpkin casserole is remarkably simple and, importantly, does not compromise on either taste or texture. I have thoroughly tested this recipe using a reliable 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend as a direct replacement for all-purpose flour, with consistently fantastic success! We particularly recommend Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour for its excellent and dependable performance across many of our gluten-free recipes. The streusel will still achieve its lovely crispness and delightfully crumbly texture.
• Nut-Free or Alternative Nuts: If pecans aren’t your preference, or if you need to prepare a completely nut-free option due to allergies or dietary restrictions, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily swap the pecans for an equal amount of coarsely chopped walnuts, which offer a slightly different but equally delightful nutty flavor and crunch. For a completely nut-free casserole, simply omit the nuts from the streusel topping entirely. To still incorporate some textural crunch, you could consider adding toasted old-fashioned oats or even pumpkin seeds (pepitas) to the streusel mixture.
• Butternut Squash Casserole Twist: While this recipe celebrates pumpkin, you can easily transform it into an equally delicious and festive butternut squash casserole. Simply substitute the pumpkin puree with an equal amount (approximately 3 ¾ cups) of smooth butternut squash puree. The flavor profile will be subtly different – butternut squash is often a bit sweeter and has a slightly nuttier undertone than pumpkin – but it will be just as comforting and perfectly suited for the fall and winter seasons. Ensure the squash is well-cooked and pureed to a very smooth consistency for the best base texture.
• Add a Touch of Maple Syrup: For an extra layer of quintessential autumnal flavor and a deeper, more complex sweetness, consider replacing a tablespoon or two of the white sugar in the pumpkin base with pure maple syrup. This addition introduces a lovely, natural depth and a warm, nuanced sweetness that complements the pumpkin and spices beautifully, enhancing the overall cozy appeal of the dish.

Explore More Delightful Pumpkin Recipes for Every Occasion

If you’re as passionate about the versatility and deliciousness of pumpkin as we are, you’ll absolutely love exploring these other fantastic pumpkin-themed creations. They are perfect for enjoying any time of year, not just during the holidays!

• Pumpkin No Bake Cookies: A quick, easy, and satisfyingly sweet treat that requires no oven time – perfect for busy days.
• Pumpkin Fluff Dip (and its companion Pumpkin Fluff Pie): A light, airy, and wonderfully spiced dip or pie filling that’s perfect for entertaining or a simple, sweet indulgence.
• Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats: A healthy, convenient, and incredibly flavorful way to infuse the comforting taste of autumn into your morning routine.
• No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: Indulgent, creamy, and incredibly easy to make, these bars are a perfect make-ahead dessert that will impress any guest.

Pumpkin Casserole

This easy Pumpkin Casserole features a creamy pumpkin base layer and a delicious crunchy pecan streusel topping. It’s the perfect sweet and savory side dish for your Holiday celebrations!

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Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Base:

• 2 cans (15oz/398mL) pumpkin puree (about 3 ¾ cups)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup salted butter, melted
• ¼ cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter option)
• ⅔ cup white sugar (use ¾ cup if you prefer a sweeter base*)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice** (or see homemade blend in notes)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Streusel Topping:

• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour (or a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking mix)
• 4-5 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into cubes or grated
• 1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

Instructions

Preparing the Pumpkin Layer:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and lightly grease a 9×13” (23x33cm) baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree and ¼ cup of melted butter. Mix well until smooth.
3. Add the heavy cream (or milk), white sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt to the pumpkin mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4. Beat the two large eggs in a small separate bowl, then add them to the pumpkin mixture. Stir gently until the eggs are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula. Set aside.

Preparing the Streusel Topping:

6. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of packed brown sugar and ½ cup of all-purpose flour.
7. Add the cold, cubed butter (or grated frozen butter) to the flour and sugar mixture. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, like small peas.
8. Stir in 1 cup of chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the streusel.
9. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and pecan streusel mixture over the pumpkin layer in the baking dish.

Baking and Serving:

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges of the pumpkin base are bubbly and the streusel topping is golden brown and the pecans are toasted.
11. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This cooling time is essential for the topping to crisp up and for the casserole to set slightly.

Notes

• *Sweeter Option: For a notably sweeter casserole, increase the white sugar in the pumpkin base layer to ¾ cup. This brings it closer to the sweetness level of traditional sweet potato casserole.
• **Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, combine the following: ¾ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp allspice, and ¼ tsp cloves. This will yield slightly more than needed, but it’s fine to use the full amount.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the entire casserole (or keep the topping separate for best crispness) up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Before baking, let it warm at room temperature for 1 hour, or place the cold dish into a cold oven and then preheat.
• Gluten-Free: Easily convert this recipe by using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking mix in place of all-purpose flour. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour is a reliable choice.
• Using Unsalted Butter: If using unsalted butter, add an extra ½ teaspoon of salt to the pumpkin mixture and another ½ teaspoon to the streusel topping mixture to balance the flavors.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per Serving)

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 577IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg