Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
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This rich and creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is a cozy, fall-inspired twist on traditional pasta sauce recipes. With the perfect hint of pumpkin flavor and warm fall spices, it’s the ultimate comfort food to welcome cooler weather. The best part is that it only takes minutes to prepare.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe
This easy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is all about taking cozy fall flavors and turning them into a creamy and delicious dish. With a combination of pumpkin puree, parmesan, fresh garlic, and thyme, it has everything you expect in perfect classic autumn comfort food. The rich and velvety sauce coats your favorite tender pasta, giving it the most amazing depth of flavor with a hint of pumpkin.
This pasta sauce is not only delicious, but it’s also super quick and easy to prepare, making it a great go-to for weeknight dinners. It’s a meatless dish that is filling enough to serve on its own or feel free to add your favorite protein to make it a bit heartier. Whether you’re making it for your family or serving it up for a cozy dinner party, this dish has the perfect balance of comfort and flavor everyone loves.
If you’re looking for other savory pumpkin recipes to celebrate fall, make sure you check out this easy Pumpkin Hummus. Or if you’re looking for a beverage recipe, this homemade Pumpkin Juice is a breeze to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe – In just one minute, you can prepare the perfect fall dish with simple ingredients that’s ideal for both busy weeknights and elegant dinner parties.
- Fall flavors – With the warm spices and pumpkin puree, this creamy pumpkin pasta sauce recipe is a great way to celebrate pumpkin season.
- Versatile dish – Enjoy it as a meatless dish or customize it by adding your favorite protein like chicken or sausage for a heartier meal. It’s perfect either way!
Ingredients
- Pasta – You can use almost any type of pasta or your favorite gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
- Unsalted butter – Creates a rich, creamy base for the sauce.
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced – Fresh garlic adds a savory, earthy flavor to the creamy sauce.
- All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the sauce, giving it a smooth and velvety consistency.
- Milk – Adds creaminess and lightens the sauce, making it rich without being too heavy.
- Pumpkin purée – Keep things easy with canned pumpkin puree or you can use fresh pumpkin puree, made from scratch.
- Cream cheese – Makes the sauce extra creamy and also adds a tanginess that balances the sweetness of the pumpkin.
- Seasonings – Use a blend of coarse kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a sharp, salty flavor that works so well in this dish. You can use nutritional yeast if you prefer.
- Fresh thyme – Sprigs of thyme add a pop of freshness to the dish.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Grater
- Large skillet
- Pot
- Colander
- Spoon
How to Make Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce
Step One: Boil the Pasta
- Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the directions or until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside. The pasta will take approximately 6-10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking make the sauce.
Step Two: Make the Roux
- In a deep skillet or large saucepan add the butter and garlic over medium heat. Saute for 1 minute.
- Add the flour. Stir for 2 minutes.
- Add the milk and stir until the sauce is thick, about 3-5 minutes.
Step Three: Add the Pumpkin and Seasoning
- Add the pumpkin puree, the cream cheese, salt, pepper, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Step Four: Toss in the Pasta and Serve
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Gently toss in the pasta until it’s fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Top the pasta with grated parmesan cheese and fresh thyme and fresh cracked pepper.
Suggestions and Alternatives
- Milk of choice – We use regular milk for its creaminess, but you can use, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk or any type of plant milk you prefer. You can also use part heavy cream for extra creaminess.
- Fresh herbs – You can swap the dried herbs with fresh, just use a little more since they are not as strong as dried. Feel free to add others like fresh sage leaves.
- Sweet potatoes – You can make this exact sauce with roasted sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin. Just roast the potatoes and blend them with a high-speed blender or immersion blender.
- Added protein – You can add grilled chicken, sausage or salmon to make it a hearty and delicious meal.
- Other veggies – Add extra nutrients by mixing in some spinach, kale, peas, roasted bell pepper or asparagus.
- Pumpkin soup – You can easily double this delicious, comforting sauce and add a cup or so of vegetable stock for a tasty pumpkin soup and top it with a drizzle of olive oil.
How Do I Store the Leftovers?
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. You may need a splash of milk as you are reheating the dish. Reheat in the skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
For best results, this sauce is best when freshly made. But, if you have leftovers, you can freeze them. Just place the sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Top Tips for This Delicious Pumpkin Pasta Recipe
- Be sure not to overcook the garlic when sautéing it with the butter. A minute is usually enough to release its flavor without burning it.
- When adding flour to the butter, whisk continuously to break up lumps and to keep it moving in the pan so it doesn’t burn.
- After adding the milk and pumpkin puree, let the sauce simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the sauce. This will help it blend in more smoothly and will prevent large lumps.
- Before serving, give your pasta dish a taste so you can adjust the seasoning. A pinch more salt, pepper, or spices can make a big difference.
FAQs
If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of water, pasta water, more milk, or vegetable broth.
If the sauce is too runny, simmer it gently on low heat to reduce and thicken it. Stir frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
You cannot use pie filling because it’s seasoned with pumpkin pie spice and added sugar. Pumpkin puree is pure, unseasoned pumpkin.
This sauce is versatile and can be used as a topping for roasted vegetables, a base for a pumpkin soup, or a filling for savory pies or casseroles. It also pairs well with chicken or turkey dishes.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 8.8 ounces pasta
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside. The pasta will take approximately 6-10 minutes.8.8 ounces pasta
- In a deep skillet add the butter and garlic over medium heat. Saute for 1 minute.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 garlic cloves
- Add the flour. Stir for 2 minutes.2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Add the milk and stir for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.2 cups milk
- Add the pumpkin puree, cream cheese, salt, pepper, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce is thicker.1 cup pumpkin puree, 4 ounces cream cheese, ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Add the pasta to the skillet. Gently toss so the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
- Top the pasta with the parmesan cheese and fresh thyme and fresh cracked pepper.¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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