Creamy Pumpkin Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender pasta with a creamy pumpkin sauce, savory Italian sausage, and nutrient-rich kale. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special meal, offering a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Italian sausage, fresh sage, and kale in a velvety pumpkin sauce. Cozy, comforting, and packed with fall flavors in every bite!
Why This Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- Creamy Pumpkin Sauce: The sauce is made with creamy pumpkin puree, adding a rich and slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
- Savory Italian Sausage: The Italian sausage adds a savory and spicy element that complements the sweetness of the pumpkin sauce.
- Nutritious Kale: Kale adds a nutritious and slightly bitter contrast to the creamy sauce and savory sausage, creating a well-balanced dish.
- Tender Pasta: The pasta is cooked to perfection, serving as a hearty and satisfying base for the dish.
- Beautiful Presentation: Garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, the dish is visually appealing and perfect for any occasion.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re preparing a comforting meal for a cozy night in, hosting a dinner party, or looking for a delicious and unique dish, Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Italian Sausage and Kale is the perfect choice. The combination of creamy sauce, savory sausage, and nutritious kale makes it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
- Uncooked Pasta: Mezze rigatoni is perfect for holding the creamy sauce, but any pasta works.
- Ground Italian Sausage: Adds savory, spiced depth—choose mild or hot for your heat preference.
- Shallot (Finely Chopped): A mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that blends seamlessly.
- Garlic (Minced): A fragrant, bold addition to elevate the dish.
- Fresh Sage (Finely Chopped): Earthy and aromatic, perfect for pairing with pumpkin.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a gentle heat to balance the creamy richness.
- Chicken broth: Deglazes the pan and adds depth to the sauce.
- Pumpkin Purée: The star ingredient—smooth, slightly sweet, and velvety.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously rich and creamy.
- Fresh Kale (Roughly Chopped): Adds a pop of color and a slight bite to balance the creaminess.
- Fine Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out flavors.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: A nutty, salty finish for extra indulgence.
Tips for Making the Best Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh pumpkin puree, high-quality Italian sausage, and fresh kale.
- Season Generously: Don’t skimp on the seasonings – they add a lot of flavor to the dish.
- Cook Evenly: Ensure the pasta, sausage, and kale are cooked evenly to achieve the best texture and flavor.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Top the dish with fresh parsley or basil for added flavor and visual appeal.
Serving Suggestions
- With Garlic Bread: Serve Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Italian Sausage and Kale with garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- With a Side Salad: Add a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
- With Steamed Vegetables: Include steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans for added nutrition.
- With Grated Parmesan Cheese: Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
- With a Refreshing Drink: Enjoy with a cold drink like iced tea or a glass of chicken broth to complement the flavors.
A Must Try
Imagine digging into a bowl of this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Italian Sausage and Kale—each bite filled with tender pasta, creamy pumpkin sauce, savory sausage, and nutritious kale, all garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Whether you’re sharing it with family and friends or enjoying it on your own, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home. Gather your ingredients and create a meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. You’ll love sharing this comforting and flavorful dish with loved ones and making special moments even more memorable!
Be sure to check out these other delicious pasta recipes!
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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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Chicken Alfredo Pasta Skillet
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Chicken Spinach Pasta
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked pasta
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups roughly-chopped fresh kale tough stems removed
- 2 tsp finely-chopped fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- freshly-grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Fill a large stockpot with water, season it generously with salt, and bring it to a boil.
- In the meantime, heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and shallot, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once it’s lightly browned, stir in the garlic, sage, and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
- Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until just al dente. Before draining, scoop out 2 cups of the starchy pasta water and set aside.
- As the pasta cooks, pour the chicken broth into the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the pumpkin purée, heavy cream, and kale, mixing everything together. Turn off the heat.
- Transfer the drained pasta back to the stockpot, then pour in the sauce along with ¾ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding extra pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve warm, topped with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper. Enjoy!
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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Italian sausage, fresh sage, and kale in a velvety pumpkin sauce. Cozy, comforting, and packed with fall flavors in every bite!