What would you do with. . . a can of pumpkin

I'm so excited about my new collaboration with my Bach-cappin' buddy Aubrey.  We were sad when The Bachelorette ended and we didn't get to write posts together, so Aubrey came up with the genius idea of What Would You Do Wednesday.  The second Wednesday of every month we're going to show you what we would do with a different ingredient or craft item.  Feel free to join in if you want!  November's item is going to be "$20 at Target".  Can't wait to use that as a excuse to do even more shopping at my favorite store. 

This month we decided to go with a fall theme and ask, What would you do with a can of pumpkin?

What wouldn't I do with a can of pumpkin??

I have added it to pancake mix, for a dense yummy breakfast option.
I have added it to oatmeal with some brown sugar and cinnamon.
Mixed it with a spice cake mix and chocolate chips.
I have made pumpkin butter.
Pumpkin soup.
Pumpkin french toast.
I feed it to Axel when I don't have any baby food on hand.
And of course there is the traditional, pumpkin pie.

I have done all those things.  But I wanted to use this as an excuse to try something new.  My holiday pinterest board is full of yummy dessert ideas that I never make because I don't make dessert.  I pin them thinking I'll bring them to parties and then I forget until the last minute and end up with a pack of store bought cookies.

All that will change now.  I tried something I have been wanting to try for a looooong time.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

 It was like cheese cake, with a hint of fall.  I chose a recipe with a gingersnap crust and I think that was wise.  I feel like the chocolate crust would have overpowered the faint taste of pumpkin, because really there isn't a TON in this recipe.

To make this a whole meal (dinner and dessert) and because I had a lot of pumpkin left over (I like to buy the 29 oz cans) I decided to try a pumpkin pasta sauce as well. So I did a quick google search and used the first one that popped up: Penne with creamy pumpkin sauce.  As this was cooking I yelled over to my mom and husband, "This is the best thing I have ever made." It was.  At this point I realized the recipe was Martha Stewart.  Of course it was.

I didn't take a picture.  We scarfed it down.  Amazing. 

Find the recipe here.

So, what would you do with a can of pumpkin?  Check out Aubrey's answer here!  And join us for What would you do with $20 at Target in November!  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with :)  If a lot of people start joining in, we might even make it a link up.  So fun!

(PS, you really have to try that pumpkin butter I linked to up there.   It is amazing)