Pumpkin Sausage Pasta

This pumpkin and sausage pasta is a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fall! It’s a super comforting and indulgent dish featuring al dente pasta tossed with golden-browned sausage and a creamy pumpkin sauce that blends sweet and savory tastes beautifully.

Pumpkin sausage pasta is all about that rich, creamy sauce with a hint of sweetness from the pumpkin, perfectly balanced with savory, spicy sausage and topped with a generous sprinkle of parmesan.

It’s true comfort food in a bowl and one of the best ways to enjoy fall flavors without much effort.

And the best part is that this dish is super easy to put together, yet it tastes like something you’d have in a fancy restaurant.

Why you’ll love this pumpkin sausage pasta

• Cozy and comforting twist on a classic pasta dish
• Perfect for chili evenings
• The creamy pumpkin sauce paired with savory sausage is so rich and indulgent!

What goes into sausage and pumpkin pasta

Italian sausage — The flavor of the sausage can make a big difference. Sweet Italian sausage complements the pumpkin well. For a veggie option, use your favorite Italian-style plant-based sausages.

Pasta — I used garganelli pasta for this recipe, but any type of short pasta such as rigatoni, orecchiette or fusilli will work.

Cook your pasta until just al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.

Aromatics — A mix of onion, garlic and fresh herbs such as sage and rosemary infuses this pasta dish with loads of flavor.

White wine — Any dry white wine would work in this recipe — my go-to choices are Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

If you don’t cook with alcohol, you can substitute with the same amount of vegetable or chicken broth.

Pumpkin puree — Use good quality canned pumpkin or, if you have time, make your own pumpkin puree for a fresher taste.

Half and half — I used half and half (single cream) to achieve a creamy texture without the sauce being too heavy. For a dairy-free version, you can use coconut milk. Heavy cream also works for a super-indulgent sauce.

Parmesan — Freshly grated Parmesan is always best in this type of pasta dish.

How to make pumpkin pasta with sausage

Bring a large pot of pasta to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.

Add the chopped onion and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally until it becomes translucent. Then, stir in the finely chopped garlic cloves and sage leaves, cooking until fragrant.

Pour in the dry white wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the wine to reduce slightly for 1-2 minutes.

Lower the heat and stir in the pumpkin puree, followed by the half and half, blending well to create a creamy sauce. Simmer gently for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens.

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it is fully melted into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it to your desired consistency.

Serve the pumpkin sausage pasta hot, topped with extra grated Parmesan if you like.

Leftovers and storage

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, warm the pasta gently in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if necessary.
• This pasta dish freezes well for up to

Recipe notes and tips

• Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed. The starchy water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
• For a nutritional boost, stir in some spinach or kale at the end until just wilted.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce if you like , as this brings out the flavors of the pumpkin.
• Chicken sausage or turkey sausage are good options if you want a low-fat alternative.

If you liked this pumpkin sausage pasta recipe, you might also like some of my other easy pasta recipes:

• Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
• White Wine Pasta Sauce
• Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone)
• Chicken Broccoli Pasta
• Easy Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta

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