Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Posted Oct 11, 2024
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This pumpkin pasta sauce is easy to make in 20 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Pumpkin pasta is a cozy and delicious fall dinner!
This pumpkin pasta is a hearty & delicious meal that is simple to make in less than 30 minutes.
The rich and flavorful pumpkin pasta sauce is made with canned pumpkin so it’s extra easy and contains all the added nutrients and fiber pumpkin has to offer.
Pumpkin pasta sauce tastes great on any variety of pasta. You can serve it with some homemade meatballs or chicken meatballs for extra protein, too.
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Salted butter. Unsalted butter or olive oil are good substitutes.
- Onion. I suggest a white or yellow sweet onion.
- Minced garlic. use freshly minced or jarred. If you don’t have either, substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Fresh sage. there really is no substitute for the sage. You can leave it out but it adds rich flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy cream. half and half or whole milk are good substitutes.
- Chicken broth. vegetable broth works well too.
- Smoked paprika. regular paprika is a great choice.
- Bucatini pasta. Choose your favorite pasta! Just be sure to use 16 oz.
How to Make Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Let’s walk through this pumpkin pasta recipe together, and watch the video for additional guidance.
Begin by cooking the butter, onion, garlic and sage in a 5-quart saucepan, covered, until the onion is soft (about 5 minutes), stirring often.
Then, add the pumpkin puree, heavy cream, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, ½ tsp sea salt, paprika and pepper and stir to combine.
Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until it is warm. Do not let it come to a boil. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
Stir into pasta ad serve. You can choose to serve the sauce on the side so those enjoying it can choose the amount they prefer on their noodles. However, it’s easier just to stir it in and serve all at once.
Serve
Serve garnished with fresh sage and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. We like to serve it alongside some of our favorite vegetable recipes like roasted broccoli or bacon Brussels sprouts. Or serve it with a salad like panzanella.
Add some protein and serve it with homemade meatballs or chicken meatballs. Or with pesto chicken. Homemade bread is also a great side dish to lap up the extra sauce.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover pumpkin pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
You can also store the sauce alone in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Pumpkin Pasta Recipe FAQS
We love serving it with meatballs. I think beef and chicken pair well with pumpkin.
Yes, this recipe is easy to scale up or down. Halve, double, etc. whatever you need.
Yes, you can make your own pumpkin puree and use fresh pumpkin if you prefer.
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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- ½ onion (finely diced)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon fresh sage (finely chopped (5-6 sage leaves))
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp sea salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 16 oz bucatini pasta (or your favorite pasta)
Instructions
- Cook butter, onion, garlic and sage in a 5-quart saucepan, covered until onion is soft, (about 5 minutes) stirring often.
- Add the pumpkin puree, heavy cream, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, ½ tsp sea salt, paprika and pepper and stir to combine.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until sauce is warm & thickened. Do not let it come to a boil. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
- Stir into pasta and serve garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh sage.
Video
Notes
- Salted butter. Unsalted butter or olive oil are good substitutes.
- Onion. I suggest a white or yellow sweet onion.
- Minced garlic. use freshly minced or jarred. If you don’t have either, substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Fresh sage. there really is no substitute for the sage. You can leave it out but it adds rich flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy cream. half and half or whole milk are good substitutes.
- Chicken broth. vegetable broth works well too.
- Smoked paprika. regular paprika is a great choice.
- Bucatini pasta. Choose your favorite pasta! Just be sure to use 16 oz.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
