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Top view of baked pumpkin pasta in casserole dish with wood serving spoon on the side.
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Baked Pumpkin Pasta

Baked Pumpkin Pasta is a cozy, homemade dinner filled with creamy pumpkin sauce, Italian sausage, and tender pasta for the perfect family friendly meal. Simple ingredients and easy prep make this recipe a delicious choice for weeknights, meal prep, or stocking the freezer for busy days.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 2 cloves
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ½ cup pasta water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 casserole dish or a 3 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or rub it with a little olive oil.
  • Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente. Remember to salt your water to flavor the pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  • In a large deep skillet, crumble and brown the sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Remove sausage to paper towel lined plate and set aside. Wipe out the excess grease from skillet.
  • In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté onions until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, sage, parsley, salt, black pepper and nutmeg until smooth.
  • Stir in the the heavy cream and heat through.
  • Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and stir until it is melted.
  • Add the cooked sausage, pasta and ½ cup of pasta water to the sauce and stir to combine everything. If the sauce seems too thick add a little more pasta water.
  • Scoop or pour the pasta into the prepared baking dish and spread out into an even layer.
  • Evenly top pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining shredded mozzarella.
  • Bake pasta in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 836mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5978IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 2mg
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