Description
Indulge in the creamy and comforting flavors of fall with this delicious Creamy Pumpkin Pasta recipe. Perfectly cooked pasta is coated in a velvety pumpkin sauce, spiked with nutmeg and Parmesan cheese, and finished with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. This dish is a satisfying and easy-to-make option for a cozy autumn meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Make the Sauce: Sauté garlic in butter, add pumpkin, cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until creamy.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, toss to coat. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sauté a few sage leaves in the butter before adding the garlic.
- This sauce also pairs beautifully with spinach or roasted chicken mixed in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
