Description
A rich and velvety creamy pumpkin pasta sauce that combines the warmth of pumpkin puree with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for the perfect fall comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup Canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook Pasta – Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Sauté Garlic – Heat butter or olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Step 3: Add Pumpkin – Stir in pumpkin puree, mixing well with garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through and develop flavors.
- Step 4: Create Cream Base – Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring continuously. Mix until completely combined and smooth.
- Step 5: Season and Thicken – Add Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Add pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Step 6: Combine and Serve – Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and garnishes.
Notes
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sweetness and spice levels
- Don’t let the cream boil as it may curdle; keep heat at medium or lower
- Add pasta water gradually – start with 2 tablespoons and add more as needed
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded and creates smoother sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485 calories
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: creamy pumpkin pasta sauce, pumpkin pasta, fall recipes, comfort food, easy pasta sauce, homemade pasta sauce