Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Penne or Rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 cup Pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 small Shallot, finely diced
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh sage, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches “al dente” texture. Before draining, reserve at least one cup of the starchy pasta water. This water is liquid gold for thinning out your sauce later if it becomes too thick.
- Step 2: Brown the Sausage. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula into small crumbles. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, approximately 7-9 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet for extra flavor.
- Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics. In the same skillet with the sausage drippings, add the diced shallots and sauté for 2 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sage, cooking for another 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
- Step 4: Simmer the Pumpkin Sauce. Lower the heat to medium and stir in the pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, and heavy cream. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and well-combined. Season with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and for the flavors to meld together.
- Step 5: Combine and Finish. Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the noodles thoroughly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Step 6: Plating. Garnish each bowl with extra Parmesan cheese, a crack of fresh black pepper, and a few whole sage leaves. Serve immediately while hot.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes