Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

If you're craving the ultimate fall comfort food meal, you have to give this creamy pumpkin pasta sauce recipe a try.

It's like a delicious fall twist on classic alfredo sauce.

Made with creamy pumpkin puree, fresh sage, and a hint of nutmeg, this cozy fall dinner is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or seasonal gathering.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best pumpkin pasta sauce, including which ingredients to use, tips that will guarantee it turns out right the first time, and some of my favorite dishes to serve alongside this fall-inspired pasta recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fall Comfort Food- Rich, creamy, and bursting with pumpkin flavor, this delicious pasta recipe is one of my favorite cozy and comforting fall meals.
• Ready in 30 Minutes- If you prepare the pumpkin sauce while the pasta cooks, you can have this easy pasta dish ready in just about 30 minutes.
• Family-Friendly- Kids and adults alike will love this creamy pumpkin sauce recipe for pasta.
• Perfect for Gatherings- The beautiful orange pumpkin sauce and bright green fresh sage leaves make for a lovely presentation at a dinner party or holiday gathering.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Pumpkin Puree- Opt for 100% pumpkin puree or pure pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie filling, as the latter contains extra sugars and spices. Feel free to use either homemade pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin puree for this recipe.
• Heavy Cream- The fat content of heavy cream creates the rich and creamy base of this pumpkin alfredo sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Butter- Unsalted butter allows for better control over the saltiness of the final dish. If using salted butter, taste for seasoning prior to adding the kosher salt.
• Fresh Sage- Fresh sage adds a woodsy, earthy flavor to the pumpkin sauce pasta that pairs well with pumpkin puree.
• Garlic- Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent garlic flavor to the creamy pumpkin sauce that pairs well with the pumpkin and sage.
• Kosher Salt- I prefer to use kosher salt in my dishes because it doesn't contain added sugar or anti-caking agents like table salt often does.
• Black Pepper- Freshly ground black pepper offers the best flavor.
• Nutmeg- A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth and depth to the sauce.
• Pasta- Feel free to use any type of pasta you enjoy in this recipe. Some pasta shapes that hold creamy sauces well include penne, fettuccine, and rigatoni. Homemade sourdough pasta is also delicious paired with this sauce!

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Roast locally-grown pumpkins for homemade pumpkin puree (and roasted pumpkin seeds), which reduces packaging waste and food miles.

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

• Pumpkin Puree- Substitute pumpkin puree for butternut squash puree or acorn squash puree for a slightly different flavor.
• Heavy Cream- Use light cream, half-and-half, or whole milk for a lighter version of this creamy sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese- Pecorino romano cheese or asiago cheese can be used in place of parmesan cheese to give the sauce a similar nutty, salty flavor.
• Butter- Swap butter for olive oil or coconut oil if preferred.
• Fresh Sage- Replace fresh sage with 2 teaspoons of dried sage leaves. Alternatively, use fresh rosemary or thyme in place of sage.
• Garlic- One teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted for the fresh garlic cloves in this recipe.
• Kosher Salt- Sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, or table salt can be used in place of kosher salt.
• Black Pepper- Use red pepper flakes in place of black pepper to make spicy pumpkin pasta sauce.
• Nutmeg- Substitute nutmeg for a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
• Pasta- Swap pasta for ravioli, tortellini, or vegetable noodles (such as zucchini noodles).

Variations

• Vegan- Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream, butter for coconut oil, and parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast.
• Gluten-Free- Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make a gluten-free pumpkin pasta dish.
• Herbed- Add fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, and basil for a bolder, more herbaceous flavor.
• Spicy- Sauté red pepper flakes with the butter and sage to give this dish a little heat.
• Roasted Vegetables- Add roasted vegetables to this creamy pasta recipe for a more balanced meal. Try roasted brussels sprouts, kale, butternut squash, mushrooms, or caramelized onions.
• Toasted Nuts- Mix in toasted chopped walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds to give the dish a crunchy texture.

How to Make Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Here is how to make this creamy pumpkin sauce for pasta.

Step 1: Cook pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente as per the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and return it to the pot you used for cooking. Set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté aromatics. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped sage. Cook them for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and start to turn slightly golden.

Step 3: Add pumpkin puree. Lower the heat to medium-low. Gently whisk in the pumpkin puree and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Take care as the puree might splatter a bit when added to the warm butter.

Step 4: Add cream and seasonings. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg.

Step 5: Simmer and thicken. Allow the sauce to gently simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly.

Step 6: Whisk in parmesan cheese. Remove the skillet from the heat. Whisk in the grated parmesan cheese until it's fully melted into the sauce.

Step 7: Combine pasta and sauce. Pour the creamy sauce over the cooked pasta in the pot. Stir thoroughly to ensure that all the pasta is coated evenly.

Step 8: Garnish and serve. Serve with additional grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce (Video)

Tips for Success

Make this easy pumpkin pasta sauce successfully the first time using these helpful kitchen tips.

• Multitask. If you make the pumpkin pasta sauce while the pasta cooks, you can easily prepare this recipe in just about 30 minutes. How's that for a quick and easy weeknight dinner?
• Control the heat. Keep the heat on the lower side to prevent the garlic and sage from burning, the pumpkin from splattering, and the sauce from breaking. Gentle heat works best for this recipe.
• Adjust the consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of cream, milk, or reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency. A thin sauce can be thickened by adding an additional tablespoon or two of pumpkin puree or grated parmesan cheese.
• Season to taste. Taste the sauce before mixing it with the pasta to ensure it's seasoned the way you like it.
• Serve immediately. Creamy sauces, like this pumpkin sage alfredo sauce, are best served as soon as they're finished cooking.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

This pumpkin pasta sauce recipe pairs well with a variety of dishes and can be served both as a main dish and as a side dish.

If you're craving a comforting meal, serve this pasta in pumpkin sauce alongside homemade bread or garlic bread. Buttery garlic herb breadsticks, cheesy sourdough garlic bread, or a slice of rustic sourdough bread pair perfectly with this dish.

For something a little lighter, serve this pumpkin alfredo with a fresh salad or vegetable side dish. Some of my favorites include spinach caprese salad, arugula quinoa harvest salad, roasted balsamic brussels sprouts, buttery garlic green beans, and sautéed butternut squash.

Finally, add some protein to your meal by pairing this pasta dish with whole roasted chicken, braised turkey breast, or braised beef with mushrooms.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store leftover pumpkin pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer- Freeze leftover homemade pumpkin pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Note that freezing this dish may change the consistency of the sauce once reheated.

How to Reheat

• Stovetop- Transfer leftover pasta with pumpkin sauce to a saucepan and set it over medium-low heat. Add a splash of heavy cream, chicken stock, or water to help loosen the pasta and prevent sticking. Heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
• Microwave- Place leftover pumpkin pasta in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a lid or damp paper towel. Add a splash of liquid if the sauce seems too thick. Heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir and continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.

Make Ahead

Planning a dinner party or trying to get ahead on meal prep? Luckily, this pumpkin alfredo sauce is make ahead friendly!

• Pumpkin Puree- If you're planning to use homemade pumpkin puree in this recipe, you can easily prepare it in advance. Then, store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce- Conveniently, the pumpkin sauce recipe can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Keep it separate from the pasta and reheat it on the stovetop just before serving.
• Pasta- If you don't feel like dealing with cooking pasta on the day you make this recipe, make it in advance! Cooked pasta will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

How to Use Up Leftover Pumpkin Puree

Have extra pumpkin puree that you don't want to go to waste? Give some of my other favorite pumpkin recipes a try!