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    Home » Main Dishes » Pasta

    Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    Published: Oct 29, 2019 · Modified: Feb 28, 2021 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe
    liquine twirled on fork with pumpkin alfredo sauce

    Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce features a delicious combination of pumpkin puree, cream, Parmesan, Romano, garlic and sage! You'll love this easy pumpkin Alfredo recipe that's ready in 15 minutes or less! Serve it over pasta or zoodles.

    forkful of twirled linguine with creamy pumpkin sauceMy pumpkin-hating hubby LOVES this creamy pasta sauce. Because anyone who loves my Alfredo sauce can't resist this version with pumpkin, sage and a hint of nutmeg.

    It comes together quickly (15 minutes tops!) and thickens up nicely without any flour. So it's a delicious, gluten-free, keto, vegetarian sauce that can be used over pasta or zoodles. I bet butternut squash would be excellent with it!

    How to make pumpkin pasta sauce

    You'll melt some butter in a skillet and add sage leaves, then pressed garlic. When those have cooked briefly, you'll add cream, stir for a minute, then mix in pumpkin puree (not pie filling).

    collage of ingredients and cooking process for pumpkin sauceNext comes freshly grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses, which bring a savory, salty, delicious vibe to this dish. Don't be tempted to use grated cheese from a can, or your pumpkin sauce will be grainy.

    Then, you'll add a little salt, pepper and ground nutmeg and stir just until the Alfredo is heated through. Done!

    You'll mix it with zoodles or long pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine or spaghetti. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta, but you can easily halve the ingredients and make eight ounces of pasta.

    pan of linguine with creamy pumpkin sauce, sage leafFor a fabulous finishing touch, you'll drizzle a little olive oil on each serving.

    OMG!

    Plate of linguine with pumpkin pasta sauce

    What to do with leftover pumpkin puree

    This recipe uses 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) of canned pumpkin puree (affiliate link). In case you're wondering, I did test it using a full 15-ounce can, but the sauce was too thick.

    You have many options for using the extra pumpkin puree:

      • Make Pumpkin French Toast
      • Use it in this Pumpkin Smoothie
      • Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt
      • Freeze it for later
      • Check out these 100 recipes using leftover pumpkin puree

    What to serve with pumpkin pasta

    Since this a rich, decadent fall pasta, I recommend keeping the sides simple. Go with a tossed salad or rapini and perhaps some Italian bread. Don't forget, this is a pumpkin recipe, so you've got your veggies covered!

    Enjoy!

    (Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)

    Plate of linguine with pumpkin pasta sauce

    Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce features a delicious combination of pumpkin puree, cream, Parmesan, Romano, garlic and sage! You'll love this easy pumpkin Alfredo recipe that's ready in 15 minutes or less!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Go to Collections
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 398kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 4 sage leaves
    • 2 large garlic cloves
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
    • 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
    • olive oil to drizzle on each serving
    • red pepper flakes for serving
    • 1 pound cooked pasta or zoodles
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    Instructions

    • Prep your ingredients. Grate the Parmesan and Romano, if needed. Press the garlic or peel and chop it finely. Rinse the sage leaves and pat them dry. (If you'll be serving the pumpkin Alfredo over pasta, place a pot of salted water on the stove to boil over high heat.)
    • For the pumpkin pasta sauce, melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sage leaves and stir. Cook for a minute.
    • Add the pressed garlic to the melted butter, stirring a bit. Let the garlic cook for 30 seconds (or a minute if you chopped the garlic), being careful not to let the garlic burn.
    • Add the cream to the garlic butter and stir for a minute with a whisk or wooden spoon. Stir in the pumpkin puree, making sure it's completely dissolved into the cream mixture.
    • Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg to the pumpkin cream sauce and stir to combine.
    • Turn off the heat under the sauce and move your skillet to a cool burner. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan and Romano.
    • (At this point, you can start cooking a pound of pasta by adding it to the pot of boiling water. When the pasta is nearly done, reserve ½ cup (one standard ladle) of the cooking water in a bowl in case you need it to thin out the sauce for leftovers.)
    • Move your pumpkin sauce pan to a burner over medium heat and stir until the sauce is heated through. (If your pasta isn't ready yet, you can turn off the heat and then reheat the sauce in a few minutes.)
    • Add cooked and drained pasta (or heated zoodles) to the skillet with the heated pumpkin pasta sauce. Stir gently to combine.
    • Serve the pumpkin pasta or zoodles with olive oil drizzled on top (don't skip it!) and red pepper flakes, if desired.
    • If you have leftovers, add the reserved pasta water as needed to thin out the pumpkin pasta. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.

    Video

    Notes

    • It's important to use freshly grated Parmesan and Romano, so the cheese will melt smoothly. (Don't use the cheese sold in a can, or the sauce will be grainy.)
    • This sauce makes enough for one pound of pasta. You can easily cut the sauce recipe in half for 8 ounces of pasta.
    • Once the pumpkin sauce is mixed with the pasta, any leftovers will become dry. You can add the reserved pasta water to the leftover pumpkin pasta before refrigerating it. To reheat leftover pumpkin pasta, drizzle on a little olive oil before microwaving the leftovers.
    • Nutrition info is just for the sauce.

      What to do with Leftover Pumpkin Puree

      This recipe uses 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) of canned pumpkin puree. In case you're wondering, I did test it using a full 15-ounce can, but the sauce was too thick.
      You have many options for using the extra pumpkin puree:
        • Make Pumpkin French Toast
        • Use it in a Pumpkin Smoothie
        • Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt
        • Freeze it for later

    Nutrition

    Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 488mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 10922IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 250mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jeff Vassel

      December 20, 2021 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      Very nice dish easy to make and you can play around with the ingredients a little especially the cheeses

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        December 20, 2021 at 5:07 pm

        Hi Jeff - I'm so glad you enjoyed this! We love this pumpkin Alfredo.

        Reply
    2. Jacque Hastert

      October 29, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      My sister is coming over for dinner tomorrow and she loves pumpkin and pasta. I am going to surprise her with this pasta dish.

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 30, 2019 at 8:31 am

        Hi Jacque - I hope you guys enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Michelle Miller

      October 29, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      Probably the most eye-catching pumpkin recipe I've see all week! So creamy and appealing!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 30, 2019 at 8:30 am

        Hi Michelle - Aw, that's a great compliment! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Andrea Metlika

      October 29, 2019 at 1:52 pm

      What perfect fall flavors in this pasta. My family is going to love this recipe.

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 30, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Hi Andrea - I hope so! Enjoy.

        Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony

      October 29, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      This pumpkin pasta sauce looks so warm and comforting on this cold rainy day. I have everything in my pantry and fridge to make this tonight and I'm so excited.

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 30, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Hi Kelly - I hope you enjoy this!

        Reply
    6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      October 29, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      I tried your recipe and loved it! Can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 29, 2019 at 1:15 pm

        Hi Shadi - That was fast! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply

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    I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I share family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen. I hope you'll visit often! Read More…

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