Sign Up
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!

Categories

Recent Recipes

Baked Dill Pickle Pretzels

  • August 17, 2026
  • 13 min read

The Pasta That Takes Twenty Minutes and

  • August 17, 2026
  • 11 min read

Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers

  • August 17, 2026
  • 6 min read

Happy National Rum Day — 8 Cocktails

  • August 16, 2026
  • 3 min read

Mango Chili Lime Coconut Bites

  • August 16, 2026
  • 15 min read

Peruvian Green Sauce Chicken & Quinoa Bowls

  • August 16, 2026
  • 15 min read

Brown Sugar Fig Baked Cottage Cheese Cups

  • August 16, 2026
  • 15 min read

Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Treats

  • August 16, 2026
  • 17 min read

The Forgotten Meal: Why Breakfast Deserves More

  • August 16, 2026
  • 12 min read

Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

  • August 16, 2026
  • 6 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
Appetizers
Benjamin Brown

Baked Dill Pickle Pretzels

Baking rather than frying keeps these pretzels significantly lighter than their deep-fried counterparts while still achieving a satisfying golden exterior. The pickle juice contributes natural sodium and vinegar, which means less added salt is needed to achieve bold, well-seasoned flavor throughout the dough.

Read More »
Benjamin Brown August 17, 2026
Blog
Daily Disher

The Pasta That Takes Twenty Minutes and Tastes Like It Took All Day

Pasta — particularly pasta made from semolina durum wheat and cooked al dente — has a significantly lower glycemic index than most other refined grain preparations, producing a slower and more sustained blood glucose response than white bread, white rice, or overcooked pasta made from the same flour. The al dente cooking that professional cooks prefer for texture reasons also preserves the pasta’s intact starch structure, which slows digestion and moderates the glycemic response further. Adding olive oil and protein-containing ingredients — anchovies, tuna, eggs, cheese — to pasta further reduces the glycemic impact of the meal by slowing the digestion of the carbohydrates, making a properly made pasta with protein and good fat a metabolically appropriate meal for most people.

Read More »
Daily Disher August 17, 2026
Entrees
Benjamin Brown

Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are one of the richest sources of vitamin C available and deliver vitamins A and B6 alongside antioxidants—making the pepper vessel a genuinely nutritious component rather than simply a low-carbohydrate bun substitute. Using lean ground beef keeps the protein content high while moderating the saturated fat in the filling.

Read More »
Benjamin Brown August 17, 2026
VIEW MORE

Get your daily dose of delicious!

Sign up
Skip to content