My Family’s Favorite Pumpkin Pasta (15-Minutes) Recipe
This quick and comforting pumpkin pasta recipe blends creamy pumpkin puree with a hint of garlic and balsamic vinegar, making it a perfect cozy meal for the whole family. Ready in just 15 minutes, it uses simple pantry staples and can be adapted to gluten-free or plant-based diets by choosing your preferred pasta and cream alternatives.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounce bow-tie pasta (regular, gluten-free, lentil, chickpea, or any shape you prefer)
Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 3-4 tbsp heavy cream or canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Prepare Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the pumpkin puree, tomato paste, and broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring continuously to blend all ingredients smoothly.
- Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low and add the heavy cream or canned coconut milk, balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently as the pasta finishes cooking.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and transfer it directly into the saucepan with the pumpkin sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water in 1/4 cup increments, stirring to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. Use the full 1 cup for a creamy, silky finish.
- Serve: Portion the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Great for baby-led weaning, toddlers, kids, and adults – a family-friendly meal everyone will love.
- Storage: Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The sauce alone can be refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- To defrost frozen sauce, place it in the refrigerator overnight or immerse the sealed container in warm water, then reheat on the stove.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or canned full-fat coconut milk to make it dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
