This quick and easy-to-make Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is perfect for fall dinners on busy weeknights!
When it comes to pumpkin spice, I used to firmly be in the camp that despised it. This is because for the longest time, my only reference point for pumpkin spice-flavored dishes was pumpkin pie. There’s just something about the texture that I find unappetizing, and assuming that all pumpkin-flavored dishes were similar, I neatly lumped them all together under the “things I don’t like” category.
One evening, however, while having dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills, I noticed a pumpkin tortellini dish on the menu. I had never seen a pumpkin-flavored pasta dish before, so my husband (who is a staunch pumpkin pie lover) ordered it and let me try a bite. Lo and behold, it was incredible—and nothing at all like pumpkin pie! It was creamy and savory with just a hint of warm spices. I was so wowed by it that I started making pumpkin pasta sauce at home, and soon we were eating it regularly.
This sauce is very similar to the dish I had in LA. The cream cheese gives the sauce a velvety texture and delicious creamy flavor, while the onion and garlic add depth and savoriness. A scant amount of pumpkin pie spice lends a lovely autumnal twist to the sauce, which only takes 15 minutes to make. Give this recipe a try on a crisp fall evening, and I promise it’ll quickly become a weekly staple.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Absolutely. Using canned pumpkin makes this sauce an easy 15-minute recipe, but you can definitely use fresh pumpkin instead. You won’t be using the kind of pumpkins you carve for jack-o’-lanterns, though. You’ll want to look for smaller pumpkins that are labeled as “pie pumpkins” or “sugar pumpkins.” After washing the pumpkin, cut it in half, and scoop out the seeds. Roast the pumpkin halves in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes. Once the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, peel off the skin, and purée the roasted pumpkin in a blender or food processor.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have any sauce leftover, let it cool completely, and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months (it’s best to freeze the sauce on its own, without the pasta mixed in). Place it in the fridge overnight to thaw, and then warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. You may want to add a splash of water or unsweetened almond milk to thin the sauce a little before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
Serving suggestions
This creamy pumpkin sauce pairs well with most types of pasta, from fusilli to penne, whether it’s regular, gluten-free, or whole wheat. It’d also be delicious served with this Air-Fryer Gnocchi or Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi. Add some Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, an Apple-Pecan Fall Salad, and some Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs, and you’ve got yourself a hearty autumnal feast. Don’t forget some Apple Pie for dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup cream cheese regular or dairy-free, at room temperature
- 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces short-cut pasta cooked to the package's directions
- Fresh sliced sage for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided pan on medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until lightly golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the remaining ingredients, except the pasta and sage, and whisk them together. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce begins to thicken and reduce. If it gets too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of pasta water.
- Toss in your cooked pasta, and stir until coated.
- Divide between bowls and garnish with sage.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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