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The BEST Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

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4.4 from 68 reviews

This luscious pumpkin pasta recipe combines creamy pumpkin purée with garlic, sage, and parmesan, creating a comforting and flavorful sauce served over tender pasta. Enhanced with fresh spinach and crunchy nuts, it's a perfect fall-inspired meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, linguini)

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 3-4 fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Add-ins & Toppings

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 Tablespoons roasted pepitas

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook Garlic: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add Ingredients: Reduce the heat to medium and add the pumpkin purée, milk, white wine vinegar, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the pan.
  4. Whisk & Simmer: Whisk the sauce mixture quickly to combine all ingredients smoothly. Allow it to simmer gently for 4-5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
  5. Add Sage & Parmesan: Stir in the fresh or dried sage leaves along with the grated parmesan cheese, continuing to whisk so the cheese melts evenly into the sauce.
  6. Whisk: Turn off the heat and keep whisking the sauce for 2-3 minutes to help it thicken to a creamy consistency.
  7. Add Spinach & Pasta: Fold in the fresh spinach leaves until they begin to wilt, then add the cooked pasta to the pan. Toss everything together to coat the pasta fully with the pumpkin sauce.
  8. Add Toppings: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and top with the chopped walnuts, roasted pepitas, extra parmesan if desired, and garnish with additional sage leaves for a final flavorful touch.
  9. Enjoy! Serve immediately while warm and enjoy this cozy pumpkin pasta dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Notes

  • You can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk for a dairy-free version.
  • For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the walnuts and pepitas before adding as toppings.
  • Use fresh sage if available for a more vibrant herbal note, but dried sage works well too.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
  • This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and can easily be made vegan by substituting the parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/the-best-pumpkin-pasta-recipe/