Description
Roasted Pumpkin & Brie Skillet with Cranberry-Honey Drizzle & Toasted Pecans is a warm, comforting dish featuring tender roasted pumpkin, creamy melted Brie, sweet-tart cranberries, and crunchy toasted pecans. Finished with a cranberry-honey balsamic drizzle and fresh rosemary, this seasonal skillet makes an elegant autumn appetizer or festive side dish.
Ingredients
For the Roasted Pumpkin:
5 cups pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (700 g)
2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
1 tsp garlic powder (3 g)
1 tsp dried thyme (1 g)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (1 g)
1/2 tsp salt (3 g)
1/4 tsp black pepper (0.5 g)
For the Brie Topping:
8 oz Brie cheese, cut into small wedges (225 g)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (75 g)
1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped (55 g)
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (4 g)
For the Cranberry-Honey Drizzle:
3 tbsp honey (63 g)
2 tbsp cranberry sauce (30 g)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (15 ml)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice (5 ml)
Pinch of salt (0.3 g)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the cubed pumpkin in a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
2. Spread the seasoned pumpkin in a single layer in a large ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Roast for 25–35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and golden around the edges.
3. While the pumpkin roasts, place the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate to cool.
4. Once the pumpkin is tender, arrange the Brie wedges evenly over the roasted pumpkin. Scatter the dried cranberries and toasted pecans across the top.
5. Return the skillet to the oven for 5–8 minutes, until the Brie softens and begins to melt around the pumpkin while retaining some of its shape.
6. While the Brie warms, whisk together the honey, cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, warm it gently and stir again.
7. Remove the skillet from the oven and let it stand for 2–3 minutes. Drizzle the cranberry-honey mixture over the warm pumpkin and Brie.
8. Sprinkle the finely chopped fresh rosemary over the top.
9. Serve warm as a festive side dish or appetizer with crusty bread, toasted baguette, crackers, or a fresh green salad.
Notes
Cut the pumpkin into evenly sized cubes so the pieces roast at roughly the same rate. Avoid overcrowding the skillet or baking dish, as packed pumpkin can steam instead of developing golden edges. Sugar pumpkin, kabocha, and butternut squash all work well in this recipe. Toast the pecans carefully and remove them from the pan as soon as they become fragrant. Add the Brie after roasting the pumpkin to help the vegetables brown properly before the cheese melts. Camembert can be used instead of Brie. Mild goat cheese is another option, although it has a tangier flavour and a different texture. Fresh cranberries can replace dried cranberries. Briefly cook them with a little honey or maple syrup until softened before adding them. Adjust the drizzle with extra lemon juice for more tanginess or additional honey for sweetness. The cranberry-honey drizzle can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated in a covered container. Stir and warm gently before using. You can roast the pumpkin and toast the pecans ahead of time. Refrigerate them separately after cooling, then assemble and finish heating the skillet before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Add freshly toasted pecans before serving for extra crunch. Check that the Brie is made with vegetarian-friendly rennet if serving this dish to vegetarians. Serve alongside roasted chicken, turkey, baked fish, or a green salad. Crusty bread makes a lovely accompaniment for scooping up the melted cheese and sauce. Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American