![['Close-up view of creamy pumpkin pasta with herbs in a bowl.', 'Side view of a serving of creamy pumpkin rigatoni garnished with sage.', 'Juicy pumpkin pasta dish featuring a rich creamy sauce and herbs.', 'Delicious pumpkin pasta close-up showcasing its vibrant color and texture.']](https://smarthealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/creamy-pumpkin-pasta_1_U1.webp)
Easy Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
A quick and cozy pasta dish featuring creamy pumpkin sauce, perfect for fall evenings.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni or penne
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or cream cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 leaves fresh sage (or ½ tsp dried)
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then reserve 1 cup and drain.
- In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and butter until soft.
- Add pumpkin purée and broth, simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cream or cream cheese, season with nutmeg, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, then whisk until smooth.
- Mix in Parmesan and pasta water to loosen sauce, then toss with cooked pasta. Garnish with sage and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use fresh sage for the best flavor, and adjust seasoning to taste.