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

Baked French Eggs

  • August 22, 2026
  • 12 min read

One Bag of Frozen Peas, Five Meals

  • August 22, 2026
  • 4 min read

The Summer’s End Pantry: What to Stock

  • August 22, 2026
  • 9 min read

Brown Sugar Baked Salmon

  • August 22, 2026
  • 6 min read

Dunkin’s Fall 2026 Menu Just Landed —

  • August 21, 2026
  • 2 min read

The Last Corn: How to Honor Summer’s

  • August 21, 2026
  • 8 min read

Poblano Chicken

  • August 21, 2026
  • 6 min read

McDonald’s New Fall Coffee Lineup Tastes Like

  • August 20, 2026
  • 2 min read

The Herb Butter That Changes Everything: A

  • August 20, 2026
  • 9 min read

Watermelon Margarita

  • August 20, 2026
  • 12 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

Breakfast
Benjamin Brown

Baked French Eggs

Eggs provide complete protein, vitamin D, and choline that support brain function and bone health—making these luxurious cream-baked eggs a genuinely nourishing choice despite their indulgent, restaurant-quality appearance.

Read More »
Blog
Daily Disher

One Bag of Frozen Peas, Five Meals That Are Actually Worth Making

Frozen peas are nutritionally on par with fresh — and in some cases better, since they’re frozen within hours of harvest before nutrient degradation can set in. A cup delivers around 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber, which is unusually high for a vegetable. They’re also one of the few plant-based sources of complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Add them to meals at the very end of cooking — they only need 2–3 minutes of heat and overcooking drains both their color and their nutritional value.

Read More »
Blog
Daily Disher

The Summer’s End Pantry: What to Stock Before the Season Changes

Freezing peak-season produce at its nutritional peak preserves significantly more vitamins and antioxidants than purchasing the same produce fresh but out of season. Research on frozen versus fresh produce consistently finds that produce frozen within hours of harvest retains nutritional quality comparable to or exceeding that of fresh produce stored for several days — meaning that frozen August corn or frozen peak-season blueberries may be more nutritious than their fresh counterparts available in winter, not less.

Read More »

Get your daily dose of delicious!

Skip to content