You won't believe how easy it is to make pumpkin puree at home! Homemade pumpkin puree requires only 1 ingredient: pumpkin! This post will easily guide you through how to make pumpkin puree so that it comes out perfectly creamy, sweet, and smooth every single time.
Preheat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Wash and pat dry the pumpkin.
Place the pumpkin on a flat surface and cut the pumpkin in half from top to bottom. Cut just under the top stem of each pumpkin to remove the stem.
If using a pumpkin larger than 5 pounds, cut the halves into thirds for more manageable pieces.
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh part of each cut portion of the pumpkin.
Place the pumpkin halves cut-side down onto the sheet pan. If you have thirds, place them so one of the cut-side is down and the skin isn’t on the sheet pan.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until the flesh is soft and pulls away from the skin, and is easily pierced with a knife. Baking time will vary with the size of the pumpkins.
Let cool for about 1 hour. Using your hands, peel the pumpkin skin away from the soft flesh and transfer the flesh to a food processor. You can also use a spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin if that’s easier.
Puree until smooth, for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. If your puree is more watery, strain the excess liquid by letting it sit in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can strain it through a cheesecloth and squeeze out the liquid.
Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container in the fridge.