Description
Experience a luxurious, velvety pasta dish that marries the earthy sweetness of pumpkin with savory sage and sharp parmesan. This sophisticated meal avoids heavy creams, using starchy pasta water and milk to achieve a silky consistency. Topped with toasted walnuts and pepitas for a satisfying crunch, it is a perfect autumnal comfort food that is quick to prepare yet elegant enough for any occasion.
Ingredients
8 ounces fettuccine or linguini
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
1 cup pure pumpkin purée
2 tablespoons milk or high-fat oat milk
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
4 fresh sage leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
2 tablespoons roasted pepitas
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sage leaves, sautéing until garlic is fragrant and golden.
Whisk in the pumpkin purée, vegetable broth, white wine vinegar, and milk.
Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes until thickened and well combined, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Add the baby spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted.
Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water, and toss the noodles directly into the sauce.
Stir in the parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
Serve immediately topped with toasted walnuts and pepitas.
Notes
Ensure you use pure pumpkin purée rather than canned pumpkin pie mix to avoid unwanted sugar and spices. Use fresh parmesan for the best melt quality. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though the pasta may absorb sauce over time.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg