• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • French Croissant Video Course
  • Bessie Bakes Backdrops
  • Contact

Bessie Bakes

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Soul-satisfying food at home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Bessie Bakes Backdrops
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Pasta and Noodles » Easy Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

    Published: Sep 16, 2021 Last Modified: Sep 16, 2021 by Bessie Bakes · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links

    Easy Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

    Share54
    Pin369
    Tweet
    Email
    423Shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pumpkin penne pasta with a collage of recipe photos via @bessiebakes

    Bacon, crispy sage, pumpkin, and pasta are swirled together in this easy and beautiful Easy Creamy Pumpkin Pasta!

    Pumpkin pasta with sage and bacon on a black plate

    Oh yes, we are so going there today.

    If your pumpkin quota hasn’t been met for the week, then let this easy pasta recipe adorn your dinner table for those crisp fall evenings.  

    What does this pumpkin sauce taste like?

    Pumpkin on its own doesn’t really have much flavor. For dessert recipes, pumpkin needs spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and sweetness.

    But for this savory pumpkin pasta I like to add smoky flavor from smoked paprika and bacon, a little heat from red pepper flakes, and sauteed red onions and crispy sage.

    For the creamy aspect we have cream cheese and pecorino romano cheese, which can be subbed with parmesan.

    I reserved the bacon fat to be the base for the sauce, so if you want a lighter sauce, then drain and add olive oil instead.

    In short, this sauce is creamy, spicy, smoky, and a little cheesy…mmm.

    How to make crispy sage

    Raw sage leaves are too potent (pictured below), but crisping them up gives them great texture and mellows out their flavor. I first fry the bacon, then remove it from the pan.

    Then on medium-low heat I add the sage leaves to crisp up in the bacon fat. It only takes a couple of minutes or less to crisp the sage, so don’t walk away from the pan.

    Fresh sage leaves on a black plate

    Making the sauce

    I like to use the same pan for the sauce that I cooked the bacon in since those yummy bacon bits are in the bottom of the pan. You can use the bacon fat in the pan for the sauce, or you can drain it and add olive oil instead. Either way, you’ll still have the bacon flavor in the pan.

    Saute the red onion, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes together for 2-3 minutes until the red onions are softened.

    Red onion and spices in a saute pan

    Add the pumpkin puree and cream cheese and simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

    Pumpkin puree and cream cheese in a saute pan
    Creamy pumpkin sauce in a saute pan with a whisk

    Add the cooked penne pasta with reserved pasta water to help thin the sauce a bit.

    Penne pasta pouring into a saute pan with creamy pumpkin sauce
    Penne pasta with pumpkin sauce in a pan

    Top with some pecorino romano cheese (my personal favorite) or shredded parmesan.  Add the crumbled bacon and crispy sage, and you have my absolute FAVORITE savory pumpkin dish ever!

    Creamy pumpkin pasta in a saute pan with shredded parmesan

    More delicious pumpkin recipes

    This is my favorite savory pumpkin dish, but on the sweet side I love these outrageously delicious Pumpkin Muffins with coconut oil and super simple and healthy Pumpkin Chai Chia Pudding.

    For the perfect holiday pie, try this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie with a Gingersnap Crust.

    Creamy pumpkin pasta with bacon and sage on a black plate

    Bon Appetit Ya’ll,

    Leslie O.

    Pumpkin pasta with bacon, sage, and parmesan cheese on a black plate

    Easy Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

    This easy creamy and dreamy pumpkin sauce is accented by crispy sage and bacon!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch and Dinner
    Cuisine: Fall-Inspired, Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Author: Bessie Bakes

    Ingredients

    • 3 slices bacon
    • 1 lb (16 0z) penne pasta or pasta of choice
    • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
    • 1/2 cup cream cheese
    • 1/2 small red onion diced
    • 8-10 fresh sage leaves
    • 1/2 cup pasta water reserved
    • 1/2 heaping cup pecorino romano or parmesan cheese shredded
    • 1/4 tsp nutmeg freshly grated is best
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika
    • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, or sub with hot sauce of choice

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook the pasta according to instructions.  Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for the sauce.  
    • While the pasta water is boiling, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon.  Drain the bacon and reserve the fat for the sauce.  If you want a lighter sauce, discard the bacon fat and add 1 Tbsp. olive oil instead.
    • When the bacon is done, remove from the pan and add the sage leaves.  Get them crispy on both sides.  Don’t walk away, as this happens pretty quickly.  Set aside the sage leaves.
    • While the pasta and bacon are cooking, chop the red onion, and shred the cheese.  Measure the pumpkin and cream cheese. 
    • To make the sauce, keep the pan on medium heat.  Add the red onion, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant (making sure not to burn the red onion!).  Add the pumpkin puree, cream cheese, nutmeg, and reserved pasta water.  Stir and simmer for about 5 minutes to slightly thicken.  Lower the heat if it is boiling heavily.
    • Cook the pasta until just under al dente, as we will finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. Drain your pasta and have it ready to go. Add the pasta and stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.  
    • Serve immediately and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and crumbled crispy sage.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Bessie.Bakes or tag #BessieBakes!
    Share54
    Pin369
    Tweet
    Email
    423Shares

    More Pasta and Noodles Recipes

    • Lemon Basil Chickpea Pasta Salad
    • Easy Creamy Tomato & Bacon Pasta
    • Easy Salmon Pasta | Butter, Herbs, & Olives
    • Orzo & Wild Rice Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello I’m Leslie

    Leslie Osborne Bessie Bakes

    As a lover of sourdough bread, baking, & easy whole foods recipes, I want you to feel confident when tackling a new recipe or baking technique.  Learn how to turn simple ingredients into mouth-watering meals.  Read more

    Search for a recipe

    Recipe Categories

    Sourdough Baking Recipes

    banana walnut muffins on a wooden cutting board

    Sourdough Discard Banana Nut Muffins & Streusel Topping

    Sourdough biscuits with fig jam on a plate

    Sourdough Discard Biscuits Step-by-step & Video

    Thai Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup Recipe with Sourdough Bread

    5 SOUL-SATISFYING BONE BROTH SOUP RECIPES TO PAIR W/ SOURDOUGH BREAD

    Sourdough Bread Recipe wih step-by-step photos and a video

    EASY SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE & SHAPING VIDEO, SHAPED 2 WAYS

    Sourdough Focaccia artisan bread with loivrs and rosemary

    SOURDOUGH FOCACCIA | OLIVES & ROSEMARY RECIPE & VIDEO

    Sourdough Cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and garlic rosemary rolls

    Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, Garlic Rolls, Hamburger Buns | 1 Brioche Recipe 3 ways

    More Posts from this Category

    Most Popular Posts

    • Bone Broth Butternut Squash Soup My Before & After Photos on 30 Days of the Bone Broth Diet
    • Roasted chicken in a pan with vegetables Upside Down Roasted Chicken Recipe
    • A black plate of French Croissants French Croissants |Chocolate Croissants (40 step-by-step photos)
    • Sourdough Cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and garlic rosemary rolls Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, Garlic Rolls, Hamburger Buns | 1 Brioche Recipe 3 ways
    • A charcuterie cheese board on a wooden board with a linen napkin Epic Charcuterie Cheese Board on a Budget
    • Banana muffins with a streusel topping on a cutting board The Best Streusel Topping for Muffins
    • Cucumber ginger drink in a glass with a cucumber garnish Cucumber Ginger Lime Mocktail
    • Instant pot chicken bone broth recipe HOW “THE BONE BROTH DIET” HELPS YOU SHED POUNDS & LOSE WRINKLES ACCORDING TO DR. KELLYANN PETRUCCI
    • Avocado nutella in a jar with a linen napkin Magical Chocolate Avocado “Nutella” Recipe
    • Bone Broth Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe with carrots, onion, and peas BONE BROTH INSTANT POT BEEF STEW RECIPE | CROCKPOT & STOVETOP TOO
    French Croissant video course

    Bessie Bakes Backdrops

    Bessie Bakes Backdrops photography backdrops widget with chocolate cake

    Footer

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    369
    54