Description

This creamy and savory pumpkin pasta recipe combines the rich flavors of pumpkin purée, garlic, sage, and parmesan for a comforting and delicious fall-inspired meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish features a smooth pumpkin sauce enhanced with fresh spinach, crunchy walnuts, and roasted pepitas for added texture and nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients

8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, linguini)
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

Vegetables & Toppings

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

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water if needed for sauce consistency.
Cook Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Add Ingredients: Lower the heat to medium and add pumpkin purée, milk, white wine vinegar, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the pan with garlic. Stir to combine.
Whisk & Simmer: Whisk the mixture quickly to create a smooth sauce and let it simmer gently for 4-5 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken.
Add Sage & Parmesan: Stir in the fresh or dried sage and grated parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to incorporate them evenly into the sauce.
Whisk: Turn off the heat and continue whisking the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens a bit more to a creamy consistency.
Add Spinach & Pasta: Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted. Then add the cooked pasta and toss to coat thoroughly with the pumpkin sauce.
Add Toppings: Transfer the pasta to serving dishes and top with chopped walnuts, roasted pepitas, additional parmesan if desired, and garnish with sage leaves for extra flavor and crunch.
Enjoy! Serve immediately while warm and enjoy a delicious and comforting pumpkin pasta dish perfect for fall or any time of the year.

Notes

Use fresh sage for the best flavor, but dried sage works well if fresh is unavailable.
Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding reserved pasta water if it becomes too thick.
For a creamier sauce, substitute whole milk or add a splash of cream instead of milk.
To make this recipe vegan, replace parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative and use plant-based milk.
Walnuts and pepitas add a pleasant crunch; feel free to omit or substitute with other nuts or seeds as preferred.
Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing and Boiling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 12 g
Cholesterol: 10 mg

Keywords: pumpkin pasta, fall recipe, vegetarian pasta, creamy pumpkin sauce, pumpkin dinner, easy pasta recipe