Creamy Sage Pumpkin Pasta Sauce Recipe

So, to celebrate the uninterrupted supply of pumpkins, I experiment with a lot of pumpkin recipes. This beautifully orange fruit (oh, it's a fruit!) is loaded with healthy vitamins, and it tastes delicious when cooked. You can't say no to it!

If you're looking forward to adding a yummy and easy pumpkin sauce recipe to your fall menu, look no further than this creamy sage pumpkin pasta sauce recipe! And if you enjoy this pasta, try out my Chicken Bacon Sweetcorn Pasta, Parmesan Pesto Pasta, or Marry Me Chicken Pasta!

Why You'll Love This Vegetarian Dinner Recipe

It's a simple recipe. This recipe is really easy, and you will be done in just 30 minutes! You don't need a lot of ingredients, and most of them can be found at your local grocery store. 

It's so easy to customize. Whether you want to make it creamier, spicier, or healthier - you can do it all! It's a great way to use your own creativity and experiment with flavors. 

It's vegetarian. This creamy pumpkin sauce is vegan-friendly - perfect for those who are looking for some delicious plant-based meal ideas.

Serve it with butternut squash, and watch everyone (including yourself) go gaga!

• Olive Oil - Use butter in place of olive oil if you want. Keep the quantity the same.
• Yellow Onion - This sweet onion is great for sauteing! 
• Garlic Cloves - Always use fresh garlic cloves. 
• Pumpkin Puree - Not pumpkin pie filling! If you're using canned pumpkin puree, get one that says "100% pumpkin". You can also do a homemade pumpkin puree. It's super easy! 
• Parmesan Cheese - You can use cheddar cheese for a divine melt-in-the-mouth experience!
• Milk - You need a liquid product to make the sauce creamy. Some people also use heavy cream!
• Pasta - Use a fun pasta shape like ziti or penne. Find cooking instructions below!
• Reserved Pasta Water - Oh, this is important. Don't forget about this!
• Dried Sage - Dried sage has a more intense flavor than fresh sage. If you're using the latter, you'll have to adjust the quantity accordingly.
• Spices - You'll also need nutmeg, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. 

I've included the quantities and other details in the recipe card below.

Tips and Tricks

This creamy sage pumpkin sauce is an easy fix. But to make sure you nail every bit of it, I have some failproof tips for you! Check them out.

• To make the pumpkin pasta sauce vegan, replace regular milk with unsweetened almond milk, full-fat coconut milk, or vegetable broth. You can also use Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast.
• To tweak the sauce's texture, just add a little splash of water or vegetable stock.
• Use a teaspoon of garlic powder if you're out of garlic cloves. 
• Use your favorite pasta, but only cook it to al dente. The rest of the cooking will happen when you add it to the creamy pasta sauce.
• Never use pumpkin pie filling for this recipe, guys! I know I've said it before - but this is crucial! Pumpkin pie filling is pumpkin puree, sugars, and spices - that's not what we want!

Let's Tweak a Bit...

This yummy pumpkin sauce is super versatile. You can do so much more than just mix it with some type of pasta. Here, let me show you how...

Add meat - Add shredded or cubed chicken, pork, or beef to this creamy pumpkin sauce. It'll give it a whole new flavor and make it even more delicious! 

Throw in some veggies - Bell peppers, mushroom, broccoli - everything works.

Make some cheesy garlic bread on the side - Serve it with creamy sauce. Your guests will love it! 

Use it to make pumpkin lasagna - use the same recipe; just swap your tomato paste with pumpkin sauce, and you're good!

Use in mac 'n' cheese - Just replace your regular white sauce with this creamy pumpkin pasta sauce. It's a nice twist to the classic dish! 

Use it as a dip - Serve with breadsticks or crackers. Yum!