Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Healthy Fact of the Day

While creamy and indulgent, this pasta dish offers some nutritional benefits from the pumpkin, which is rich in vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. To make it healthier, consider using whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrients. The heavy cream can be partially replaced with milk or pumpkin puree to reduce calories and fat. Adding vegetables like spinach or roasted Brussels sprouts can increase the nutrient content. Pine nuts provide healthy fats and protein. To lighten the dish further, try using cashew cream or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. While delicious, this is a calorie-dense meal, so consider portion size and pair with a large salad for a more balanced dinner.

Ingredients

 

  • 1 lb fettuccine or pappardelle pasta
  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup freshly grated
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
  • Fresh sage leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.

  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.

  3. Add shallot and garlic, sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.

  4. Add pumpkin puree and heavy cream, stirring to combine.

  5. Stir in nutmeg, chopped sage, salt, and pepper.

  6. Simmer sauce on low heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.

  7. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.

  8. Add Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted.

  9. Drain pasta and add to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

  10. Add pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.

  11. Top with toasted pine nuts and additional Parmesan.

  12. Garnish with fresh sage leaves before serving.

Twirl your fork into this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta and let the silky sauce wrap around each strand like a cozy autumn blanket! The sweet earthiness of pumpkin melds perfectly with the savory Parmesan and aromatic sage, creating a pasta dish that’s both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you’re craving fall flavors or looking to elevate your pasta game, this dish delivers restaurant-worthy results with minimal effort. So grab your biggest pot, pick your favorite pasta shape, and get ready to create a bowl of pure autumn comfort that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Recent Recipes

Tostitos Just Completed the Dip Trifecta —

  • July 31, 2026
  • 3 min read

The August Kitchen: Cooking at the Peak

  • July 31, 2026
  • 11 min read

Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado

  • July 31, 2026
  • 5 min read

Domino’s Half-Price Pizza Is Back — And

  • July 30, 2026
  • 1 min read

Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule

  • July 30, 2026
  • 12 min read

The Table We Return To

  • July 30, 2026
  • 11 min read

Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini Pasta

  • July 30, 2026
  • 6 min read

Krispy Kreme Just Dropped a Latin American

  • July 29, 2026
  • 3 min read

Smoked Salmon Pasta with Crispy Capers

  • July 29, 2026
  • 13 min read

Taco Cupcakes

  • July 29, 2026
  • 5 min read

Tip of the Day

“Always let your meat rest before slicing.”

Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steak, or baking pork tenderloin, letting cooked meat rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing allows the juices to redistribute evenly. This simple step keeps your meat juicy and tender, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist. Bonus: It gives you a moment to plate your sides or garnish for a perfect presentation!

Our Latest Recipes

Blog
Daily Disher

Tostitos Just Completed the Dip Trifecta — With a First-Ever Refrigerated Guacamole

Tostitos’ new Chunky Guacamole is made with whole food ingredients — Hass avocados, tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions — with no artificial preservatives, making it one of the more nutritionally straightforward store-bought dips you can grab. Avocados are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, which help slow digestion and keep you full longer. Pairing guacamole with vegetables like bell pepper strips or cucumber slices instead of chips is an easy way to get the dip experience with significantly fewer calories and more nutrients — and the single-serve 2-oz cups make portion control effortless at a tailgate or party spread.

Read More »
Blog
Daily Disher

The August Kitchen: Cooking at the Peak of Everything

August produce represents the annual peak of nutritional density across virtually every category of summer vegetable and fruit. Research tracking antioxidant content, vitamin concentrations, and phytonutrient levels through the growing season consistently finds that the final weeks of peak season — when the plants have had the longest period of sun exposure and the most complete development of their nutritional compounds — produce measurably higher concentrations of lycopene in tomatoes, beta-carotene in peppers, anthocyanins in eggplant, and vitamin C across the board than early-season or out-of-season produce. Eating abundantly from the August farmers market is, nutritionally, one of the highest-return dietary investments available in any month of the year.

Read More »
Chicken Recipes
Amelia Grace

Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado

Avocado provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, and fiber—making it a genuinely nutritious topping rather than simply a rich one. Combined with lean chicken breast and a spice-and-citrus marinade that delivers bold flavor without added sugar or heavy sauces, this is a Southwestern dinner that is as nourishing as it is satisfying.

Read More »

Get your daily dose of delicious!

Skip to content