Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Whip up a batch of this creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce to make pumpkin pasta, topped with walnuts, parmesan and fresh sage, in just 30 minutes!

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Cream Cheese, Fall Recipes, Pumpkin

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 619kcal

Author Darcey Olson

Cost $8

Ingredients

12-16 oz Pasta *Note 1
1 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp All-purpose Flour
¼ cup Diced Onion
2 tsp Minced Garlic
2 cups Whole Milk
1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
1 cup Pumpkin Puree
2 oz Full-fat Cream Cheese
⅛ tsp Cinnamon
⅛ tsp Nutmeg
3 tbsp Chopped Fresh Sage, Divided *Note 2
¼ tsp Salt, + More, To Taste *Note 3
Black Pepper, To Taste

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

½ cup Grated Parmesan
⅓ cup Chopped Walnuts

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water and 1 tbsp of kosher salt to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the "al dente" directions on the back of the box. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour, whisking constantly until it turns light golden brown.
Add the onions and continue to whisk until softened (approx. 2-3 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Whisking constantly, add the vinegar and milk, a little at a time. Increase the heat to medium high, and cook for 7-9 minutes, until the sauce is thick and bubbly. Keep whisking to avoid burning.
Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, cream cheese, half the chopped sage leaves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Taste and add salt and black pepper as desired.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan and gently toss to combine. For a thinner sauce, add some of the reserved pasta water until your desired consistency is achieved.
Top with walnuts, parmesan and the remaining sage. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

Note 1- For extra saucy noodles, stick to 12 oz. There is enough sauce to fully coat 16 oz, however.

Note 2 - You can opt to use dried sage if that's what you have on hand. Add 1.5 tsp when it's time to add the chopped sage to the sauce.

Note 3 - This pasta sauce needs salt to bring out the full flavors of the pumpkin and fall spices. Start with 1/4 tsp. and add more after tasting the finished sauce.

Nutrition