Description
This creamy pumpkin pasta sauce with sausage and sage is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for fall and winter meals. Combining savory Italian sausage, fragrant sage, and a rich pumpkin puree sauce, this recipe creates a hearty pasta dish that is both creamy and satisfying. Finished with Parmesan cheese, it’s ideal for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound medium-shaped pasta
Sauce
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bay leaf, dried
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside to be combined with the sauce later.
- Brown Sausage and Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked and browned. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking for an additional 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add Aromatics and Wine: Stir in the dried bay leaf, chopped fresh sage, and pour in the dry white wine. Allow the wine to reduce by half, which should take about 10 minutes. This concentrates the flavors and deglazes the pot.
- Make the Sauce: Mix in the chicken stock, pumpkin puree, and heavy cream. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are combined into a smooth creamy sauce. Season with ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the sausage pumpkin sauce in the pot and stir to heat through and coat the pasta evenly. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the creamy pumpkin pasta and top generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage alternatives and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- Fresh sage is preferable for best flavor, but dried sage can be used at a lesser quantity (start with 1 teaspoon).
- Use good quality pumpkin puree or make your own for a fresher taste.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables.