Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine, linguine, or preferred pasta
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 tbsp fresh sage or thyme, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Optional Garnishes and Variations
- Toasted pine nuts or walnuts
- Crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
- Sautéed mushrooms or spinach (for vegetarian twist)
- Fresh parsley or sage for garnish
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Cook Your Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for the sauce.
- Prepare the Pumpkin Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil or melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in the pumpkin puree and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream or coconut cream and stir constantly until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and freshly chopped sage or thyme for an aromatic touch.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce and toss gently. If the sauce is too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Finish with Cheese: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss once more to combine and melt the cheese slightly, creating a delicious finish.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin puree made from roasted pumpkin for deeper flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to ensure the best texture and sauce absorption.
- Season gradually and adjust salt, pepper, and herbs to taste.
- Serve immediately as the pumpkin sauce thickens when cooled.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American/Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian (can be made vegan with substitutions)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: pumpkin pasta, creamy pumpkin sauce, fall recipes, vegetarian pasta, comfort food