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Cheesy Vegetarian

Easy Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream (no churn!)

If you’ve never made homemade ice cream, I implore you to give this pumpkin pie ice cream recipe a try. You don’t need an ice cream machine, you don’t need to churn it in the freezer every 5 minutes… just mix up the ingredients, freeze it overnight, and tomorrow you could be digging into the best ice cream you will ever have. Just look at it:

A hand holding a cone filled with pumpkin pie ice cream and topped with sprinkled and caramel sauce.

I’ve used this basic recipe for homemade ice cream (condensed milk + double cream) several times, adding different flavourings each time – it works beautifully. My banoffee ice cream was spectacular, and I’ve even made avocado ice cream!

In fact, I genuinely think this kind of homemade ice cream is tastier than even the most expensive shop-bought brands. It’s ultra rich and creamy. Try it and let me know what you think.

🍦 Don’t I Need an Ice Cream Machine?

Ice cream machines make beautiful ice cream because they keep the mixture moving as it freezes, causing it to become light and creamy, rather than just a solid block of ice.

However, as long as you whip plenty of air into the mixture before popping it in the freezer, you don’t need an ice cream maker to make this pumpkin pie ice cream – or any of my other homemade ice cream recipes! The fluffy whipped cream mixture has enough air in it that it doesn’t just become a solid lump.

A small bowl of pumpkin pie ice cream topped with chocolate sprinkles.

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🥗 Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe. See the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredient quantities.

Ingredients for pumpkin pie ice cream laid out with text overlay.

A couple of the ingredients in this recipe will differ slightly depending on whether you’re in the UK (like me!), in the US, or elsewhere. Hopefully this will help:

UK ingredients US ingredients
condensed milk condensed milk
double cream heavy (whipping) cream
canned pumpkin canned pumpkin
mixed spice pumpkin pie spice
  • condensed milk – the stuff that comes in a can. This is not the same as evaporated milk!
  • double cream – if you’re in the US, use heavy (whipping) cream. Our double cream in the UK has a fat content of around 48%, which I believe is actually a little higher than the fat content in heavy cream (which is more like 36%), but it should still work well.
  • canned pumpkin – if you’re in the UK like me, it’s not always easy to find in the shops, but you can buy pumpkin on Amazon for a pretty reasonable price.
  • pumpkin pie spice – very similar to our ‘mixed spice’ in the UK! It generally contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.

Becca’s Top Tip

You could actually use the un-frozen mixture as a sort of pumpkin pie whipped cream, to serve on top of your Thanksgiving pie, if you like.


📹 Recipe Video





🔪 Equipment

As mentioned, you don’t need an ice cream maker for this recipe.

You could actually whisk everything up by hand, if a hand whisk is all you have, but I’ll warn you that you might end up with a sore arm. A much easier option is to use an electric whisk, which means this pumpkin ice cream will take just a few minutes to prepare.

I use a hand mixer very similar to this one on Amazon, which has great reviews:

Electric Hand Whisk

Electric Hand Whisk

If you’re in the UK or Canada, click the link to see a local product.

A metal ice cream scoop taking a spoonful of pumpkin pie ice cream from a loaf tin.

🖨 Printable Instructions

A small bowlful of pumpkin pie ice cream with sprinkles.

Print

Easy Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

This homemade pumpkin pie ice cream is SO EASY, and it doesn’t need an ice cream maker! A great Thanksgiving dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Freezing Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 10 people
Calories 414kcal
Author Becca Heyes

Ingredients

  • 600 ml (~ 2 1/3 cups) double / heavy cream
  • 400 g (~ 1 cup) sweetened condensed milk
  • 425 g (~ 15 oz) can pumpkin
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (mixed spice)

Instructions

  • Add the cream and condensed milk to a large mixing bowl, and whisk thoroughly to form soft peaks. The mixture should be just stiff enough that when it drips off the whisk, it settles on the surface without immediately sinking in.
    A large bowl of whipped cream and condensed milk.
  • Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
    A large bowl of whipped cream topped with canned pumpkin and spices.
  • Gently fold together. Be careful not to knock the air out of the mixture – it should still be light and frothy.
    Unfrozen pumpkin pie ice cream mixture in a large bowl.
  • Transfer the mixture to an air-tight tub, if you have one. If not, you can use any suitably sized, freezer-safe tin (I used a loaf tin!), and cover with a lid or foil. Freeze until solid, ideally overnight.
    Unfrozen pumpkin ice cream in a loaf tin.
  • Serve however you like. I like to take my ice cream out of the freezer about 10 minutes before serving, to make it easier to scoop.
    A metal ice cream scoop taking a spoonful of pumpkin pie ice cream from a loaf tin.

Video





Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.1g | Protein: 4.7g | Fat: 32.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 23.2g | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1mg

💭 Recipe FAQs

How long does this homemade ice cream need to freeze for?

The exact freezing time will depend on the container you use – a shallower dish of ice cream will freeze more quickly than a deeper container. To be on the safe side, plan to prepare your ice cream one day, and eat it the next, as it should have no trouble freezing overnight.

How long does homemade ice cream last in the freezer?

Homemade ice cream won’t last as long as shop-bought ice cream, since it’s not made with stabilisers and preservatives. Ideally, you’ll eat your ice cream within about a month.

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The post Easy Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream (no churn!) appeared first on Easy Cheesy Vegetarian.

Cheesy Vegetarian

25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes

Summer is here! Hurrah! At this time of year, my tastes definitely change. No more hearty, cheesy casseroles – now, it’s all about summer recipes. I’m thinking fresh salads, picnic food, and easy cold lunches.

And of course, summer is the perfect excuse to eat outside whenever you can. Whether it’s a proper picnic in the park or just a few nibbles in the garden, everything tastes better in the sunshine. I always have a few easy vegetarian recipes up my sleeve that are easy to pack up and take out – things like pasta salads, picnic nibbles, and quiches.

Collage showing vegetarian picnic recipes with text overlay.

I love how summer food often feels super relaxed and thrown together (in the best possible way). A bit of this, a handful of that, whatever fresh ingredients you’ve got in the fridge… somehow it all just works, even without a lot of forethought. Sometimes our meals are as simple as a slice of crusty bread with some hummus and grilled veggies, or a colourful salad topped with crumbled cheese and a zingy dressing – it’s the kind of food that feels light but still totally satisfying.

❤ Why You’ll Love These Recipes

  • They’re all light and summery – perfect for eating in the warm weather.
  • These recipes are easy to pack up and take outside, whether that be as part of an elaborate picnic, or a simple picnic lunch.
  • As with all of my vegetarian recipes, they’re all simple to make, with no hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Plus, these recipes are big on flavour and low on faff – just how I like it.

🧺 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes

Without further ado, onto the recipes!

Lentil Sausage Rolls

These vegetarian sausage rolls are stuffed with a seriously tasty lentil and mushroom filling, wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. They’re perfect to batch cook, and can be served cold as part of a picnic. We also love them packed up in lunch boxes!

Vegetarian Lentil Sausage Rolls

These vegetarian lentil sausage rolls are packed with rich, earthy flavours, and they’re perfect for a kids’ party or a lunchbox!
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 small rolls

Get the recipe here!

Parmesan Baked Fava Bean Chips

These crispy fava bean chips make a great crunchy snack, as an alternative to nuts or potato chips. Flavour them however you like – I made cheesy ones!

Parmesan Baked Fava Bean Chips

These parmesan baked fava bean chips are a crispy, crunchy snack idea – perfect for entertaining, or for a nut-free lunchbox snack!
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Tex-Mex Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tortilla roll-ups make such a fun alternative to a sandwich for picnics and lunch boxes, or just to eat at home for a quick lunch.

Tex-Mex tortilla roll-ups on a plate.

Easy Tex-Mex Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tortilla roll-ups are a quick and exciting lunch option, or to serve on a platter at parties. These cheesy Tex-Mex ones are so tasty!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

A plateful of vegetarian Tex-Mex tortilla roll-ups.

Peach and Mozzarella Salad with Rocket

Juicy peaches work so well in this tasty vegetarian salad, along with creamy mozzarella, crunchy homemade croutons, and a simple balsamic dressing. This one is a real favourite of mine.

A plate with a portion of peach and mozzarella salad.

Peach and Mozzarella Salad with Rocket

This peach and mozzarella salad is bursting with fresh summer flavour, including sweet peach, creamy cheese, and crunchy homemade croutons!
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Peach and mozzarella salad with homemade croutons, tomatoes and pumpkin seeds.

Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbreads with Goat Cheese

One of my favourite summery dinners – a tasty mixture of vegetables and soft goat cheese, wrapped up in a flatbread. These are so adaptable, so they make great fridge clearers!

A flatbread topped with vegetables, goat cheese and sour cream.

Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbreads with Goat Cheese

Mediterranean vegetable flatbreads, piled up with sweet and jammy veggies, creamy dressing, soft goat cheese and fresh basil.
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

A Mediterranean vegetable flatbread on a plate.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Self-Crusting Quiche

A big slice of this self-crusting quiche is great packed up for a picnic or lunch on the go. The fluffy egg mixture forms its own crust as it cooks – you won’t miss the pastry!

Spinach and goat’s cheese self-crusting quiche

This self-crusting quiche has no pastry, but still heaps and heaps of flavour! It forms its own crust thanks to a special extra ingredient.
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 slices

Get the recipe here!

Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

This creamy chickpea salad can be served on its own, scooped up on tortilla chips, or inside some crusty bread to make the perfect high protein vegetarian sandwich!

Creamy chickpea salad sandwiches

These creamy chickpea salad sandwiches are a quick and easy vegetarian lunch option that’s endlessly adaptable!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 sandwiches

Get the recipe here!

Easy Homemade Flatbreads

These homemade flatbreads require only 3 ingredients (and no yeast!). Pack them up in your picnic basket with a variety of fillings, and let everyone construct their own lunch.

Easy Homemade Flatbreads (Italian Piadina)

These homemade flatbreads are so easy to make, with no yeast required! They’re perfect stuffed with all kinds of sweet or savoury fillings.
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 piada

Get the recipe here!

A homemade flatbread on a board, stuffed with avocado, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Cheesy Veggie Fritters

These cheesy vegetable fritters are great served warm or cold, and they’re such a tasty way to clear out any veggies from the fridge! Serve them with some tzatziki for dipping, if you’re feeling fancy.

Cheesy Veggie Fritters

These cheesy veggie fritters are the perfect easy vegetarian lunch, with plenty of vegetables and crispy cheese! A great fridge clearer.
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

A stack of cheesy vegetable fritters on a board.

Carrot and Cheddar Bites

These cheesy bites are one of my all-time favourites for packing up into a picnic. They’re super easy to make, and far more tasty than they sound!

Carrot and Cheddar Bites

These cheesy little carrot and cheddar bites are the perfect finger food for a vegetarian party buffet – or just a mid-afternoon snack!
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 15 balls

Get the recipe here!

A stack of cheesy carrot bites on a plate with a ramekin of ketchup.

Cheesy Lentil and Veggie Slice

A slice of this tasty, cheesy slice is beautiful served cold – plus, it’s packed with protein and fresh vegetables!

Cheesy Lentil and Veggie Slice

This cheesy lentil and veggie slice is absolutely packed with flavour, and it can be made with store cupboard ingredients, using whatever veggies you have in the house!
Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Chickpea Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a versatile meal that can be packed up for picnics, or kept in the fridge so you can dig into it throughout the week. I love to add chickpeas, feta cheese, and heaps of fresh veggies.

A bowlful of chickpea pasta salad with pesto and arugula.

Chickpea Pasta Salad

This chickpea pasta salad is hearty and nutritious, and absolutely packed with vibrant flavours and textures!
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

A bowlful of chickpea pasta salad with black olives and arugula.

Indian Naan Bread Pizza with Paneer

Pizza is one of our favourite summer dinners, sliced up for everyone to share, and served with a green salad, coleslaw, and crunchy veggie sticks. This Indian-inspired pizza is topped with paneer cheese and a curry-infused pizza sauce.

Indian pizza with tomatoes and paneer on a naan crust.

Indian Pizza with Paneer (Naan Bread Pizza)

This Indian pizza with paneer is made on a naan bread base, with a curry-infused pizza sauce. The most incredible fusion food!
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Indian pizza with a naan bread base.

Feta and Roasted Vegetable Crustless Quiche

This roasted vegetable crustless quiche is packed with tasty ingredients, and since there’s no pastry, it’s a light and healthy meal that’s perfect for warmer weather.

A slice of vegetable crustless quiche on a plate with baby potatoes and salad.

Feta and Roasted Vegetable Crustless Quiche

This tasty vegetarian crustless quiche is packed with roasted vegetables and chunks of feta cheese – so much flavour, and no pastry!
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

A slice of vegetable crustless quiche on a plate with potatoes and salad.

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

I make quesadillas at least once a week, as they’re such an easy meal! For these roasted veggie quesadillas, try cooking up a big batch of roasted vegetables at the start of the week, which you can dig into throughout the week for salads, pasta dishes, etc.

A plateful of roasted veggie quesadillas.

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

These roasted vegetable quesadillas are bursting with juicy veggies and gooey cheese, inside a crisp tortilla. Such an easy vegetarian meal!
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Slices of roasted vegetable quesadillas on a cutting board.

Extra Special Tabbouleh Salad with Halloumi

Tabbouleh is another vegetarian salad that’s great to have on hand in the fridge all summer long! This version is extra special, with all sorts of bonus tasty ingredients. I love to serve it as part of a light lunch, with pitta bread and hummus.

A plateful of tabbouleh salad with pitta sticks and hummus.

Extra Special Tabbouleh with Halloumi Cheese

An extra special version of tabbouleh with halloumi cheese, chickpeas, olives, and much more! A tasty, healthy vegetarian salad.
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

Extra special tabbouleh salad with halloumi and olives.

Coronation Chickpeas

Coronation chickpeas are a vegetarian version of a traditional British recipe, with a lightly curried creamy sauce. There’s so much flavour, and they are wonderful served with toast or salad, or packed up into a picnic.

Curried coronation chickpeas on toast and lettuce.

Coronation Chickpeas

Coronation chickpeas are a quick and seriously flavourful vegetarian version of the British dish coronation chicken. Perfect for picnics!
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy coronation chickpeas on toast and lettuce.

Cold Spinach Dip with Greek Yogurt

This cold spinach dip can be whipped up in minutes, and is so tasty served with crackers for dipping. This one’s great for lunch boxes too!

Creamy cold spinach dip in a bowl.

Cold Spinach Dip (with Greek Yogurt)

A healthy cold spinach dip with loads of veggies and Greek yogurt – super creamy, and perfect to spread on something crunchy!
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy spinach dip in a bowl.

Easy Baked Mushroom Tikka

One of my all-time favourite lunches! These juicy roasted mushrooms have so much flavour, in a tasty tikka coating. I love them served with naan bread, salad, and a yogurt dip.

Baked mushroom tikka in a bowl with salad and naan bread.

Mushroom Tikka

This mushroom tikka is baked in an easy spiced yogurt marinade, which intensifies as it cooks and gets crispy round the edges. Irresistible!
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Baked mushroom tikka in a bowl with naan bread and salad.

White Bean Hummus with Feta Cheese

Homemade hummus is so easy to make, and makes a wonderful addition to picnics or summery meals. This version uses white beans, lemon juice and feta cheese for maximum flavour.

White bean hummus in a bowl topped with crumbled feta and lemon wedges.

White Bean Hummus with Feta (No Tahini)

This white bean hummus with lemon and feta is quick to prepare, packed with fresh flavours, and perfect for picnics, snacks or light lunches.
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

White bean hummus topped with lemon wedges and crumbled feta cheese.

Air Fryer Pitta Bread Pizza

I love making pitta bread pizzas in the air fryer for a quick and easy lunch that doesn’t heat up the whole house. These ones have two layers of toppings and cheese!

Pitta pizza on a plate with arugula.

Air Fryer Pitta Pizza

These easy air fryer pitta pizzas can be made in just a few minutes. Plus, you get TWO layers of whatever pizza toppings you like!
Servings: 1 person

Get the recipe here!

Vegetarian pitta bread pizza in an air fryer.

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Homemade hummus is so quick and easy to make, and I love adding my own flavourings. This one is made seriously tasty with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and toasted pine nuts.

Sun-dried tomato hummus

This sun-dried tomato hummus takes just minutes to make, with only a few ingredients, and it tastes so much better than shop-bought hummus!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy Cowboy Caviar with Avocado Dressing

Cowboy caviar is a simple vegan bean salad that’s absolutely packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables. My version is coated in a creamy avocado dressing for extra deliciousness! I love this scooped up on tortilla chips.

Creamy Cowboy Caviar (with Avocado Dressing)

This creamy cowboy caviar is an irresistible version of a simple bean salad, with fresh flavours and a creamy avocado dressing.
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

A hand scooping creamy cowboy caviar with a tortilla chip.

Easy Cheesy Chickpea Burgers

What could be more summery than a veggie burger?! These chickpea burgers are easy to make, and great stacked up with fresh toppings.

Easy Cheesy Chickpea Burgers

An easy chickpea burger recipe that makes a fantastically hearty, cheesy burger. They’re so quick and easy to prepare!
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers

Get the recipe here!

Roasted Vegetable Fattoush

Fattoush is a tasty salad made with crispy pitta bread croutons. My version also has roasted vegetables and plenty of other tasty mix-ins!

Roasted Vegetable Fattoush

This roasted vegetable fattoush is a hearty, filling salad that’s absolutely packed with tasty bits. Definitely not the type of salad you only eat out of obligation!
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

🧾 Top Tips for a Perfect Vegetarian Picnic

  • Don’t overcomplicate things – not everything needs to be elaborate and homemade. Try to aim for just one ‘main’ element (such as vegetarian sausage rolls or crustless quiche), plus one fun salad (like a pasta salad or bean salad). You can then augment your picnic with fresh veggies, fruit, and shop-bought snacks like potato chips or tortilla chips.
  • Make sure everything is well chilled before being packed up, to avoid warm, soggy food. You can also use ice packs to keep things fresh on the go.
  • Try to make sure you include at least one or two protein sources, to make sure everyone feels satisfied, even without any meat. Beans and chickpeas, boiled eggs, hummus and cheese are all great vegetarian protein sources that work well for picnics.

☀ Other Summer Recipes

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25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes

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A portion of creamy cottage cheese ice cream in a bowl with sprinkles and honey.

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Extra special tabbouleh salad with halloumi and olives.

Extra Special Tabbouleh Salad with Halloumi

The post 25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes appeared first on Easy Cheesy Vegetarian.

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