Description
This comforting Pumpkin Sausage Pasta combines the warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon with savory Italian sausage and creamy pumpkin sauce. Perfect for fall, the dish features a rich sauce made with white wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream, tossed with pasta and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a hearty, flavorful meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta (uncooked)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sausage Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild, casings removed)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground or freshly grated)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon oregano (dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
- Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron pot over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Saute the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions become tender and translucent.
- Create the sauce: Stir in ground nutmeg, cinnamon, bay leaf, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour in the white wine and cook until the wine reduces by half, about 2 minutes. Then add the chicken broth, canned pumpkin, and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Finish the dish: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well over low heat for about one minute to evenly coat the pasta. Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, although the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is highly recommended for best flavor.
- Pair this dish with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
- White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
