Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Sage
I love a pumpkin recipe that isn't dessert, and this one has become a fall favorite in our house. This easy pumpkin pasta feels fancy enough for company with the brown butter and crispy sage, but it all comes together in one skillet while the pasta boils. The pumpkin cream sauce is rich and silky with just a little warmth from smoked paprika and cayenne, and that crunchy walnut and pepita topping makes every bite so good.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tablespoons pepitas, roasted and salted
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 10-12 fresh sage leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyere, grated + extra for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to box directions and drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and pepitas to a dry skillet and toast the walnuts. The pepitas are already roasted but the heat will release their oils. Once toasted remove the nuts and seeds from the skillet and return the skillet to heat.
- Add the tablespoon of butter and the sage leaves. Cook the sage leaves until they are crisp and the butter browns, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the sage from the skillet.
- Add the tablespoon of olive oil to the browned butter. Add the shallots and sauté until they are soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes to help the marry the flavors together to make the sauce.
- Add in the heavy cream and grated cheese. Stir well and add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat all of the pasta well.
- Remove the pasta from heat and serve the pasta. Garnish with sage and the crunchy walnut and pepitas. Sprinkle extra cheese if desired.