What to Serve with Pumpkin Soup: The Best Sides, Bread, and Main Courses

Curious about what to serve with pumpkin soup? From fresh baked bread to a bright salad to roasted veggies, find the best pairing ideas.

top down view of a bowl of pumpkin soup with pumpkin seeds and bread sticks on the side

Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense vegetable that makes its debut in the fall. One of the best ways to eat pumpkin is by making a pumpkin soup.

This soup bursts with flavors of the season. Warming spices and a creamy, rich taste make pumpkin soup a fall favorite.

Pumpkin soup is best when paired with a delicious side or main course to help round out the meal. I’m taking the guesswork out of the question about what to serve with pumpkin soup for dinner, along with sharing 48 delicious recipes.

close up of a loaf of bread

Bread

Soup and bread are a perfect combo, no matter the type of soup you’re eating. Because pumpkin soup often has a rich, creamy texture, it’s best served with a hearty bread that will hold up to the thickness of the soup.

What bread goes with pumpkin soup? When it comes to what to service with pumpkin soup, here are delicious, hearty bread recipes that will pair well with pumpkin soup.

1. No-Knead Rosemary Bread
by Emily Fabulous
Check out this recipe
rosemary bread in a Dutch oven
2. Gluten-Free Sourdough Garlic Bread
by Strength & Sunshine
Check out this recipe
gluten free garlic sourdough bread
3. Light & Airy Homemade Ciabatta Bread
by Cookmorphosis
Check out this recipe
homemade ciabatta bread cut into slices
4. Cheesy Zucchini Bread
by The Forked Spoon
Check out this recipe
5. Basil Pesto Focaccia Bread
by Baking with Butter
Check out this recipe
top down view of a salad with mushrooms

Salad

Who doesn’t love a soup and salad? There are so many delicious, fall salads that pair well with pumpkin soup, making this combination an easy choice.

Turn your salad into an entrée by adding a plant-based protein like beans, tofu, or tempeh. You can also keep it simple with a side salad made from seasonal vegetables and your favorite vinaigrette.

Leafy green salads

Leafy green salads make for a lighter side to pair with pumpkin soup. Try one with shredded kale and roasted root vegetables or a simple salad with mixed greens, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Give these leafy green salads a try.

6. Baby Greens and Mushrooms Salad
by Toby Amidor, RD, author of The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook
Check out this recipe
Baby Greens and Mushrooms Salad
7. Simple Side Salad Base Recipe
by To Taste
Check out this recipe
close up of simple side salad
8. Vegetarian Chopped Salad
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Chopped Salad Recipe with Hard-Boiled Eggs
9. Healthy Broccoli Slaw
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe

Salad with fruit

What to serve with pumpkin soup for dinner? Salad with fruit can be a great choice.

If you want to add some sweetness to your side salad, try adding seasonal fruits to your favorite leafy green salad and topping it with my grape vinaigrette. Give these salads a try.

10. Quinoa Orange Salad
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
Prune Orange Salad Recipe with Citrus Salad Dressing
11. The Ultimate Autumn Salad
by The Healthy Epicurean
Check out this recipe
12. Vegan Mediterranean Salad
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
Vegan Mediterranean Vegetable Salad with Prunes and Fruit Dressing
13. Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing
by The Oregon Dietitian
Check out this recipe

Lentil or bean-based salads

What protein to serve with pumpkin soup? If you’re looking for a heartier salad to pair with your pumpkin soup, a lentil or bean-based salad is a great choice.

Lentils and beans are both an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein which will help to fill you up and keep you satisfied. Also try these salads.

14. Italian Lupini Bean Salad
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
lupini bean salad
15. Lentil Apple Salad
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
16. Chopped Lentil Salad with Easy Vinaigrette
by The Domestic Dietitian
Check out this recipe
top down view of chopped lentil salad in a large bowl
17. Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon-Herb Dressing
by Melissa Traub, RD
Check out this recipe
close up of a hearty salad in a white bowl

Side dishes

Pumpkin soup can double as a side or as the star of the meal. And when it comes to what to serve with pumpkin soup for dinner, sides are great options.

If you plan on making pumpkin soup part of the main dish, then you’ll need a few sides to add to the table.

These hearty sides will complement your favorite pumpkin soup recipe while also helping to round out your meal.

Risotto

A creamy risotto with seasonal vegetables like butternut squash, radicchio, or mushrooms paired with walnuts or pepitas plus herbs like sage or thyme makes for a tasty accompaniment to pumpkin soup. You can also try a creamy rice recipe.

18. Creamy Coconut Milk, Pumpkin, and Mushroom Risotto
by Jackie Silver Nutrition
Check out this recipe
creamy coconut milk and mushroom risotto
19. Butternut Sage Risotto Balls
by Jessica Levinson, RD, co-author of We Can Cook
Check out this recipe
butternut sage risotto balls
20. Creamy Vegan Rice Pilaf
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe

Boost the nutrition of traditional risotto by subbing a whole grain like farro in place of arborio rice if desired. Nuts and seeds add healthy fats and fiber while herbs boost flavor without adding sodium.

Roasted root vegetables

Wondering what to serve with pumpkin soup? Well, pumpkin soup also pairs well with root vegetables that are in season throughout the fall and winter. Think parsnips, celeriac, beets, or turnips.

You can also turn these vegetables into a roasted vegetable salad mixed with feta or goat cheese if you include dairy in your diet.

21. Warm Farro Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables
by Dietitian Debbie
Check out this recipe
warm farro salad with roasted veggies
22. Pesto Spaghetti Squash
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
A bowl of spaghetti squash
23. Easy Pomegranate Squash
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
roasted butternut squash with pomegranate vinaigrette

Non-starchy vegetables

You can also pair pumpkin soup with lighter veggies like asparagus, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts. Try these veggies.

24. The Best Spicy Garlic Air Fryer Asparagus
by Nourish by Nic
Check out this recipe
25. 10 Minute Broccoletti in a Pan
by My Vegan Minimalist
Check out this recipe
broccoletti in a frying pan
26. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
by iFoodReal
Check out this recipe
baked parmesan zucchini sticks
27. Roasted Persimmon and Asian Pear with Brussels Sprouts and Purple Daikon Radish
by The Sound of Cooking
Check out this recipe
28. Curried Power Bowl
by Vandana Sheth, RD, author of My Indian Table
Check out this recipe
curried power bowl

Potatoes

Another idea for what to serve with pumpkin soup: Potatoes. Any kind of potato works well as a pairing with pumpkin soup. Smashed red potatoes, baked russet potatoes, or a colorful mix of roasted rainbow potatoes.

You can also try blending potatoes right into your pumpkin soup for extra thickness. This is a great way to give your soup extra creaminess without adding cream.

29. Almond Gnocchi Salad with Mushrooms and Spinach
by Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, author of Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning
Check out this recipe
almond gnocchi on a plate
30. Vegan Gnocchi with Sage
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
top down view of gnocchi on a plate garnished with sage
31. Sweet Potato Flatbread
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
sweet potato flatbread
top down view of a quiche in a pan

Main courses

Here’s the absolute best thing to choose when you’re considering what to serve with pumpkin soup: a main course.

So what protein to serve with pumpkin soup? If you’re starting your meal with pumpkin soup, try one of these plant-based entrees for an ideal pairing.

32. Gluten-Free Vegetarian Quiche without Cream
by Zest
Check out this recipe
33. Baked Tofu
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
oven baked tofu on a white plate next to chop sticks
34. Vegan Lentil Loaf (Walnut and Mushroom)
by Lettuce Veg Out
Check out this recipe
vegan lentil loaf cut into slices
35. Plant-Based Baby Bella, Poblano, and Corn Tacos
by Jackie Newgent, RD, author of 1,000 Low-Calorie Recipes
Check out this recipe
36. Vegan Mushroom Wellington
by Plant Well
Check out this recipe
37. Crispy Vegan Chicken Patties
by My Pure Plants
Check out this recipe
vegan chicken patties on a plate
38. Vegan Sausage Patties
with Vegan Sausage Gravy from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
vegan sausage patties on a plate
39. Vegan Mac and Cheese without Cashews
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
close up of vegan mac and cheese in a casserole dish with spoons
close up of crusty homemade croutons

Toppings

Pumpkin soup doesn’t need to stand alone! Create a fun toppings bar to add crunch and flavor to your soup. Check out a few of these delicious toppings ideas.

Croutons or roasted chickpeas

When it comes to what to serve with pumpkin soup for dinner, use day-old bread to make your own or buy pre-made croutons.

They’re versatile and easy to add to any soup, including pumpkin soup. You can also go with roasted chickpeas or homemade crackers.

40. Seasoned Whole Wheat Croutons
by The Miller’s Kitchen
Check out this recipe
seasoned whole wheat croutons
41. Chia and Flax Seed Crackers
by Through the Fibro Fog
Check out this recipe
chia and flaxseed crackers
42. Roasted Chickpeas
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
roasted chickpeas in a white bowl

Nuts or seeds

Nuts and seeds offer an excellent source of heart-healthy fats plus some fiber and protein. Top your soup with your favorite seeds like pepitas, ground flaxseeds, or sunflower seeds for some extra crunch.

You can also try adding nuts like walnuts or chopped almonds, or some of these recipes.

43. Pistachio Candied Nuts
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
candied pistachio nuts
44. Cinnamon Maple Pecans
by Marisa Moore, RD
Check out this recipe
candied pecans in a small decorative jar

Cheese

Cheese is an excellent topping for a creamy pumpkin soup. I recommend sharp Cheddar cheese, but others like smoky gouda or Parmesan work as well. You can also try these recipes.

45. Onion Prune Jam with Brie
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe
A plate of food on a table, with Cheese and Prune jam
46. No-Bake Brie Appetizer
from my own kitchen
Check out this recipe

Coconut cream or sour cream

Toppings like sour cream or coconut cream are a great way to up the creaminess factor of your pumpkin soup. Adding a small amount of either topping will make your soup that much more decadent.

47. Homemade Sour Cream
by Bigger Bolder Baking
Check out this recipe
homemade sour cream in a dish
48. Homemade Coconut Cream
by Love & Lemons
Check out this recipe
coconut cream in a mixing bowl

The bottom line

Pumpkin soup is a staple in the fall and winter. There are so many recipes that pair well with this type of soup that you’ll want to make it all season long.

Enjoy pumpkin soup as an appetizer, side, or as a standalone dish with multiple toppings. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with a delicious pumpkin soup.

Sources

  • Emily Fabulous
  • Strength & Sunshine
  • Cookmorphosis
  • The Forked Spoon
  • Baking with Butter
  • Toby Amidor, RD, author of The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook
  • The Healthy Epicurean
  • To Taste
  • The Oregon Dietitian
  • The Domestic Dietitian
  • Melissa Traub, RDNourish by Nic
  • My Vegan Minimalist
  • iFoodReal
  • Jackie Silver Nutrition
  • Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, author of Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning
  • The Sound of Cooking
  • Vandana Sheth, RD, author of My Indian Table
  • Zest
  • Lettuce Veg Out
  • Jackie Newgent, RD, author of 1,000 Low-Calorie Recipes
  • Plant Well
  • My Pure Plants
  • Joyful Eating
  • The Miller’s Kitchen
  • Through the Fibro Fog
  • Jessica Levinson, RD, co-author of We Can Cook
  • Marisa Moore, RD
  • Bigger Bolder Baking
  • Love & Lemons
Curious about what to serve with pumpkin soup? From fresh baked bread to a bright salad to roasted veggies, find some of the best pairing ideas.
Plant-Based Eating |

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