If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you absolutely have to try this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe. I love how the velvety pumpkin sauce wraps around the pasta, delivering just the right balance of savory and creamy with a hint of sage that makes it truly special. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, you’ll find that this dish is not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything so your pumpkin pasta turns out perfectly every time.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Creamy & Comforting: The rich pumpkin purée combined with heavy cream creates the silkiest sauce you’ll want to eat on repeat.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a ton of fancy items—mostly pantry staples and a can of pumpkin make this happen.
Ready in Under 30 Minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but fast.
Versatile to Customize: Add your favorite herbs, veggies, or toppings to make it your own.

This dish shows a close-up of penne pasta covered in a creamy orange sauce, with the pasta arranged in a single thick layer filling a white bowl. On top, there are small green pumpkin seeds scattered unevenly and chopped fresh parsley pieces spread across, adding a touch of bright green contrast to the dish. The pasta has a smooth, slightly glossy texture, and the sauce lightly clings to each piece. The white marbled surface is just barely visible at the edge of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Pumpkin Pasta, pumpkin pasta recipe, easy pumpkin pasta, comforting pumpkin pasta dish, fall pasta recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dish is all about that creamy pumpkin base paired with pasta that soaks up every bit of flavor. I always pick penne since its tube shape traps extra sauce for a mouthful of goodness. Plus, fresh aromatics like garlic and onion build depth without overpowering the pumpkin’s natural sweetness.

Flat lay of dried penne pasta scattered beside a small mound of peeled and diced yellow onion, four whole garlic cloves, a small white bowl filled with golden olive oil, another small white bowl containing smooth orange pumpkin purée, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a neat heap of dried ground sage powder, a simple pile of shredded pale yellow Parmesan cheese, a few fresh bright green parsley sprigs, a small white bowl holding raw green pepitas, and two uncracked brown eggs arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Pumpkin Pasta, pumpkin pasta recipe, easy pumpkin pasta, comforting pumpkin pasta dish, fall pasta recipes

Penne Pasta: Penne is perfect here because the sauce clings wonderfully to its ridges and tubes.
Olive Oil: Use good quality olive oil for sautéing to enhance the flavor subtly.
Onion: Diced onion softens and adds sweetness to balance the pumpkin.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must to give the dish a warm, savory kick.
Chicken Broth: Adds umami and helps loosen up the sauce without diluting flavor.
Pumpkin Purée: Use pure pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) for authentic flavor.
Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce lush and velvety—don’t skip it!
Dried Sage: A little sage transforms the dish with earthy, herbal notes.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded parmesan melts into the sauce for depth and richness.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning—make sure to adjust to your taste.
Fresh Parsley (optional): Brightens the finished dish with color and freshness.
Pepitas (optional): I love sprinkling toasted pumpkin seeds on top for crunch.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to make the Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe my own depending on the season or what’s in the fridge. Feel free to play around with these tweaks to make it suit your tastes or dietary needs perfectly.

Vegetarian Variation: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep it veggie-friendly without losing flavor.
Add Some Heat: Stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne if you want a little spicy kick that balances the creaminess.
Greens Addition: I often toss in some fresh spinach or kale in the last few minutes for extra color and nutrients.
Nutty Twist: Beyond pepitas, toasted walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and complement pumpkin’s natural earthiness.

How to Make Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta Perfectly

Start by boiling water generously salted—this seasons the pasta as it cooks. I like to follow the package directions for penne, usually around 11 minutes, but test a minute early so it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside but don’t rinse; that starch helps the sauce stick better.

Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add your diced onions. Cook them, stirring often, until they’re soft and translucent—around 5 minutes. Next, toss in the garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant; this is where the magic of aroma starts.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth, pumpkin purée, heavy cream, and sprinkle in the dried sage. Stir everything together well, bring it down to a gentle simmer, and let it cook slowly for about 5 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and your sauce thicken just right. Don’t rush this part—patience means a silky texture.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked penne and shredded parmesan into the skillet. Stir thoroughly until the cheese melts and the sauce beautifully coats every piece of pasta. Keep it on low heat just until thickened to your liking—this usually takes a couple of minutes. Now’s the time to taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Step 5: Serve with a Personal Touch

Divide the pasta into bowls, then sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and a handful of pepitas if you like a little crunch. The contrast between the creamy sauce and crunchy seeds is one of my favorite things about this dish.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Adding garlic just before simmering keeps it fresh and prevents bitterness.
Use Quality Pumpkin Purée: I learned the hard way that canned pumpkin pie filling is too sweet—go for pure pumpkin for best results.
Simmer Slowly: Letting the sauce come together gently thickens it naturally without curdling the cream.
Season Gradually: Add salt and pepper in stages, tasting often to avoid oversalting.

How to Serve Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

The image shows a white pan filled with creamy macaroni pasta coated in a pale yellow sauce. The pasta is topped with green pumpkin seeds and finely chopped fresh parsley, adding small splashes of green color. The pan is set on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth nearby, and there is blurred bread on a wooden board in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Pumpkin Pasta, pumpkin pasta recipe, easy pumpkin pasta, comforting pumpkin pasta dish, fall pasta recipes

Garnishes

I always finish with fresh chopped parsley because it adds that pop of green and a nice brightness to cut through the creaminess. Toasted pepitas are my favorite addition for texture and a mild nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin.

Side Dishes

For sides, I love something light and crisp like a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette works great too if you’re craving something to help scoop up extra sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, try serving the pasta inside hollowed-out small pumpkins or rustic bread bowls—it adds an instant wow factor and keeps the meal feeling festive. I did this last fall for guests, and everyone loved the cozy presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually stay great for 3-4 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so before reheating, I stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen it back up.

Freezing

When I freeze this pasta, I separate the sauce from the noodles for best quality. Freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container and the pasta separately, then thaw and reheat together gently when ready. This prevents sogginess and keeps flavors fresh.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. Adding a little broth or cream helps restore the sauce’s creamy texture without making it watery. Microwave works too, but stirring midway really helps even heating.

FAQs

Can I make this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! To make it vegan, swap the chicken broth with vegetable broth, use a plant-based cream like coconut or cashew cream, and substitute the parmesan with a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. The pumpkin sauce will still be creamy and delicious.
What type of pumpkin purée should I use?

Use plain canned pumpkin purée (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling). This keeps the sauce savory, without any added spices or sugars that are in pie filling.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned purée?

Yes, but it takes longer. You’ll need to roast fresh pumpkin chunks until tender, then blend them into a smooth purée. Use a 1:1 ratio to canned pumpkin in this recipe.
What pasta shapes work best with this sauce?

Pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle work best because their ridges hold the creamy pumpkin sauce beautifully, giving you that perfect bite every time.
How long does this pasta sauce last in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, the sauce-based pasta should last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Just be sure to reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to bring back its creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites during fall and beyond. I used to struggle finding a pumpkin dish that actually tastes as good as it looks, but this one nailed it with its rich and comforting sauce that never feels heavy. If you want a meal that’s quick, delicious, and cozy enough to serve year-round, give this a try—you’ll probably find yourself making it again and again, just like I do when the craving hits!