Description
A cozy and comforting fall pasta dish featuring a velvety pumpkin-infused Alfredo sauce that’s easy to make and family-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 fresh sage leaves, chopped (optional)
- Optional add-ins: cooked chicken, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, crispy bacon bits
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add about 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside. Optionally drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil on pasta to prevent sticking.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly to make a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in pumpkin puree and nutmeg. Let sauce simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until thickened and smooth. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
- Remove pan from heat. Gradually whisk in freshly grated Parmesan until melted and incorporated. Toss in chopped sage if using. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Add drained pasta to skillet and toss gently to coat with sauce. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for a smooth sauce. Taste and season gradually as pumpkin can mute flavors. Keep sauce at a gentle simmer to avoid breaking. Sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. Store pasta and sauce separately for best leftovers. Sauce does not freeze well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 16
Keywords: pumpkin pasta, creamy pumpkin Alfredo, fall pasta recipe, cozy dinner, easy pasta sauce, pumpkin puree recipe, family-friendly pasta