Description
Fall’s coziest flavors are captured in this delightful Creamy Pumpkin Sausage Pasta Bake, a dish that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying. Tender pasta enveloped in a velvety, savory sauce kissed with the subtle sweetness of pumpkin and hearty Italian sausage, all topped with a blanket of gooey, melted cheese.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni or ziti pasta
1 lb mild or spicy turkey Italian sausage (or beef Italian sausage), casings removed
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare your oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook your rigatoni or ziti pasta until al dente in salted boiling water, then drain and set it aside.
Brown the turkey Italian sausage with diced yellow onion in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, then drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the minced garlic, pumpkin puree, heavy cream, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, allowing it to simmer for 3 minutes.
In the prepared baking dish, combine the drained pasta with the sausage sauce and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Evenly top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is gloriously melted and golden brown.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook your pasta slightly less than the package directions indicate, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Drain fat well: Properly draining the fat from the sausage after browning will prevent the sauce from becoming greasy.
Simmer time: Allowing the sauce to simmer for those 3 minutes helps thicken it slightly and allows the pumpkin and cream to meld into a cohesive, delicious sauce.
Even cheese topping: Distribute the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the pasta for a beautiful, bubbly, and golden crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Pasta Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A