Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pasta (Print)

Creamy pasta with pumpkin, cream cheese, and spices. Cozy autumn-inspired main bursting with flavor.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces (350 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
02 - Salt for boiling pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1 2/3 cups (400 g) canned pumpkin purée
11 - 4 ounces (120 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
12 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable broth
13 - 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
16 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - Additional grated Parmesan cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until it becomes translucent and softened.
03 - Introduce the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, smoked paprika, and ground nutmeg to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, allowing the spices to release their aromas.
04 - Add the canned pumpkin purée and vegetable broth to the skillet. Stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly heated through.
05 - Reduce the skillet's heat to low. Add the cream cheese, stirring constantly until it is fully melted and a smooth, creamy sauce is formed.
06 - Incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and the optional cayenne pepper into the sauce. Mix well until all ingredients are combined. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until your desired consistency is achieved.
07 - Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure each piece of pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
08 - Serve the Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pasta immediately. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and visual appeal.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes
  • Uses pantry staples and canned pumpkin
  • Perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors
  • Creamy without being heavy
02 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors
  • Can be prepared ahead and reheated
  • Impressive enough for guests but easy enough for weeknights
  • Excellent source of vitamin A from pumpkin
03 -
  • Always bring cream cheese to room temperature before adding to ensure smooth incorporation without lumps.
  • Use canned pumpkin purée not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugar and spices.
  • Toast the dry spices with the aromatics to bloom their flavors fully before adding wet ingredients.

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