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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

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4.3 from 4 reviews

This creamy pumpkin pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for fall or any time you crave a rich, savory meal. Rigatoni pasta is coated in a luscious pumpkin and sage sauce with garlic, warming spices, and parmesan cheese, creating a perfect balance of creamy texture and aromatic flavors in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta (or pasta of choice)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced sage leaves (about 8 large leaves)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta water before draining the pasta and setting it aside.
  2. Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced sage and garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the pumpkin purée, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
  3. Add Milk and Combine: Pour in the whole milk and stir the mixture until it becomes creamy and well combined.
  4. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta along with the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together for 3-4 minutes until the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta and has a glossy finish.
  5. Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese thoroughly. Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan cheese if desired for added richness and flavor.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and make it creamy without adding extra fat.
  • Use whole milk for the creamiest texture, but you can substitute with any milk of choice for a lighter or dairy-free version.
  • Add fresh sage for the best flavor; dried sage can be used but reduce quantity to avoid bitterness.
  • This dish is best served immediately but can be gently reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
  • Optional: garnish with freshly ground black pepper or toasted pumpkin seeds for added texture and flavor.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/creamy-pumpkin-pasta-recipe/