Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

This Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is rich and creamy with aromatic notes of fresh sage and garlic. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy pumpkin pasta recipe is perfect for dinner parties and seasonal gatherings. It’s the ultimate cozy fall comfort food meal!

Course Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 395kcal

Author Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound pasta of choice dry
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Fresh herbs for serving (optional)

Instructions

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.
1 pound pasta of choice
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.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh sage
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.
1 cup pumpkin puree
Gradually whisk in the heavy cream. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg.
2 cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Allow the sauce to gently simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Whisk in the grated parmesan cheese until it's fully melted into the sauce.
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Pour the creamy sauce over the cooked pasta in the pot. Stir thoroughly to ensure that all the pasta is coated evenly.
Serve with additional grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, Fresh herbs

Notes

Quick Tips:
- Multitask. For faster preparation, make the sauce while the pasta cooks.
- 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.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead: Prepare the sauce and pasta in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Did you try this recipe?Let me know! Comment below, or take a picture and tag me on Instagram @everydayhomemadebyashley.