Description
Pumpkin Pasta is a creamy, savory dish that transforms pumpkin purée into a silky, spiced sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. Balanced with warm spices, Parmesan, and optional cream, it’s a cozy meal perfect for fall and winter evenings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp dried sage or 1 tsp chopped fresh sage (optional)
- 1/2 cup cream, milk, or dairy alternative
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or more to taste)
- Reserved pasta cooking water (about 1 cup)
- Optional toppings: more Parmesan, sage leaves, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just under al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5–6 minutes until soft. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds more.
- Stir in pumpkin purée, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and sage (if using). Mix well and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in cream or milk and stir to create a smooth sauce. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes glossy and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve warm, topped with extra cheese, fresh sage, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Use canned pumpkin purée for convenience, or roast and purée fresh pumpkin for deeper flavor.
- To make it vegan, use plant-based milk and cheese or nutritional yeast.
- Add protein like cooked chicken, pancetta, or mushrooms for a heartier meal.
- Freeze sauce separately if making ahead — it reheats better than freezing with pasta.
- Use starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to noodles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
