Rating: 3.65
(156)

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

November 5, 2024

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish that combines the rich flavors of traditional Alfredo sauce with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin. This fall-inspired twist on the classic pasta dish is perfect for cozy dinners, offering a velvety sauce that coats the pasta beautifully while adding a touch of seasonal warmth. The creamy pumpkin sauce is complemented by garlic, parmesan, and a hint of nutmeg, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

The sauce is made by blending pureed pumpkin with heavy cream, butter, and garlic. The pumpkin adds a rich, silky texture and a subtle sweetness to the Alfredo sauce, while the cream and butter provide a luxurious creaminess. A touch of grated parmesan cheese is stirred in for sharpness, and nutmeg or sage can be added for a little extra depth and warmth. The sauce is then tossed with your choice of pasta, such as fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni, ensuring every bite is coated in this velvety goodness.

To make this dish, start by cooking your pasta until al dente. While the pasta cooks, prepare the pumpkin Alfredo sauce by sautéing garlic in butter, then adding the pumpkin puree, cream, and seasonings. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly, then stir in the parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, ensuring every noodle is coated. You can also add crispy pancetta, roasted vegetables, or fresh herbs like sage for an extra layer of flavor.

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta is perfect for a fall dinner, offering a comforting, rich dish with just the right amount of seasonal flair. The pumpkin sauce is not only delicious but also adds a pop of color and a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy Alfredo. Whether served as a main course or a side dish, it’s a meal that will quickly become a favorite.

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
3.65 from 156 votes
A creamy, flavorful twist on classic Alfredo with the addition of pumpkin for a seasonal touch.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fettuccine pasta or pasta of choice
  • 2 tbsp butter unsalted
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg freshly grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Stir in the pumpkin puree and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese and nutmeg to the sauce, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  • Serve the pasta warm, garnished with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: alfredo, pumpkin, Seasonal Recipes
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar dulcie.nicolas says:

    3 stars
    Eh, it was ok. I think I prefer my spaghetti the traditional way.

  2. User avatar Emile Weissnat says:

    4 stars
    Had no heavy cream, used milk instead. Still came out good! Who knew?

  3. 4 stars
    Easy to make and so creamy! Used half the heavy cream and it was still great. 🥰

  4. 4 stars
    Creamy and comforting, but I think 3-4 minutes simmering could be a bit longer to thicken. I ended up cooking it 6 minutes and it got the right texture.

    1. User avatar Frost Troll says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—mine always takes a bit longer too. I simmered ~5-6 minutes and it really thickened up nicely. Great call.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this last night and added some chicken. Tasted great!

  6. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know about mixing pumpkin with pasta… sounds weird.

  7. User avatar trenton.abbott54 says:

    5 stars
    This was surprisingly delicious! I usually don’t like pumpkin, but this is a game-changer! Will make again!

  8. User avatar india.pacocha93 says:

    5 stars
    My kids loved it! They think it’s like mac and cheese but healthier. 😊

  9. User avatar mohamed.lowe says:

    2 stars
    This is too creamy for my taste. Might try with less cream next time. Anyone else feel this way?

  10. 5 stars
    Made it exactly as written and it came out super smooth. I was worried the pumpkin puree might split the sauce, but stirring and simmering helped a lot. Next time I’ll add a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick.

  11. User avatar Trin Tragula says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make and sooo good! Thanks for sharing!!

    1. User avatar rhonda.reichert84 says:

      5 stars
      I made this last night and it was amazing! Really easy to follow the steps. Thanks for sharing!

  12. User avatar jenni.weissnat54 says:

    4 stars
    Quick and easy! I think this might become my go-to recipe. But can you really call it alfredo with pumpkin?

  13. 2 stars
    I dunno, the pumpkin just felt weird in pasta. Not a fan.

    1. User avatar matt.bergstrom says:

      4 stars
      I get where you’re coming from! Pumpkin in pasta can be a bit strange for some. I loved it though!

  14. 3 stars
    Don’t use pumpkin pie filling, y’all! It ruins the whole dish. Stick to puree.

  15. User avatar trent.schuster says:

    5 stars
    This is the best pasta recipe ever! So creamy and delicious!

    1. 3 stars
      It’s good, but I didn’t find it that creamy. Maybe I didn’t use enough cream?

    2. User avatar karleen.jacobs26 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This recipe is a game changer! The pumpkin adds such a nice twist.

  16. 4 stars
    Yum! My kids loved it! Will make again for sure.

    1. User avatar elton.mosciski says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome to hear! My kids usually don’t eat veggies, but they love this dish too! Thanks for sharing!

    2. 2 stars
      Not sure about pumpkin in pasta… Sounds weird. Did your kids really like it, or are you just saying that?

  17. 5 stars
    This is a good recipe for fall! Perfectly seasonal!

    1. User avatar lester.tromp1989 says:

      5 stars
      Absolutely! I love pumpkin, and this flavor combo sounds perfect for autumn. Can’t wait to try it!

    2. User avatar Mrs. Bunny Kiehn says:

      2 stars
      Looks nice, but isn’t pumpkin a bit weird in pasta? Not sure it will taste good…

  18. User avatar Deep Thought says:

    1 star
    I’m not really a fan of pumpkin, so this wasn’t for me. I’ll stick to regular Alfredo.

  19. User avatar ivy.flatley says:

    3 stars
    Too much cream, it felt heavy. Maybe less cream next time? 🤔

  20. User avatar dean.nolan2012 says:

    5 stars
    Yummmm! So creamy and delicious! Perfect fall dish!

  21. User avatar miguel.durgan87 says:

    1 star
    Is this a real recipe? Pumpkin in pasta? Sounds gross. Why would you put nutmeg in it?

    1. User avatar delila.nolan1990 says:

      4 stars
      I actually tried pumpkin pasta and it was surprisingly tasty! The nutmeg adds a nice warmth. Give it a shot before knocking it!

    2. User avatar bill.rempel says:

      2 stars
      Pumpkin in pasta? Yuck. Sounds like a weird combo. Stick to tomato or Alfredo, much better!

  22. User avatar Frankie and Benjy says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, it was too creamy for me. Maybe I messed it up? 😕

  23. User avatar samara.jacobson1998 says:

    3 stars
    This is way too rich! I think you should use less cream. My stomach hurt after eating it 😬

  24. User avatar felton.bauch86 says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t Alfredo usually white? This looks orange! But I guess that’s the pumpkin? lol

  25. User avatar Photographer says:

    5 stars
    YUM! The garlic made it extra tasty. Will def make again!

    1. User avatar bambi.wolff says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! The garlic really elevates the dish. One of my favorites too!

  26. 4 stars
    I love pumpkin and pasta! This recipe brings them together perfectly. Made it for my book club and everyone wanted the recipe!

  27. User avatar twanda.dickens24 says:

    3 stars
    I think I put too much nutmeg… it overpowered the dish.

  28. User avatar kecia.frami72 says:

    5 stars
    I love how unique this dish is! Perfect for fall vibes 🍂 I added some grilled chicken for protein!

  29. 5 stars
    Super easy to make!! I even added some chicken for protein. Will definitely make again!

    1. User avatar Blue Dartwing says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Adding chicken sounds like a great idea for extra flavor and protein. Yum!

  30. User avatar tomika.will9 says:

    1 star
    Pasta Alfredo should never have pumpkin in it. Just saying. This is a crime against Italian food.

    1. User avatar renate.schultz13 says:

      2 stars
      Nah, that sounds just wrong! Alfredo is perfect as it is!

    2. User avatar bronwyn.grimes says:

      4 stars
      But have you tried it? Pumpkin adds a nice creaminess!

  31. User avatar lindsay.greenfelder70 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The pumpkin adds such a nice flavor! My family loved it! 🧡

  32. User avatar bo.botsford1985 says:

    4 stars
    Easy to make, and the flavors were AMAZING! The nutmeg really adds a nice touch. I substituted with whole wheat pasta and still came out great.

  33. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! The pumpkin adds such a nice flavor. Will definitely make again!

  34. User avatar jena.kunde18 says:

    1 star
    Why not just do regular alfredo? 😅

  35. User avatar shery.kutch2023 says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, I thought it would taste better. The pumpkin flavor was overpowering.

  36. User avatar santa.daniel32 says:

    4 stars
    Pumpkin pasta? Sounds weird but actually pretty good! Will make again, maybe.

  37. User avatar glen.mayert2016 says:

    5 stars
    Delish! Used leftover pumpkin from Thanksgiving and it worked perfectly. Thanks!

  38. 4 stars
    Easy recipe! I added some spinach because I had some leftover. Yum!

  39. User avatar Draugr Deathlord says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! Never thought pumpkin could work in pasta, but wow!

  40. User avatar Raymon Walsh says:

    5 stars
    My kids loved it! Tasted like fall on a plate. 🥰

    1. User avatar ALTplusF4 says:

      2 stars
      Tasted like fall? Really? Sounds kinda weird to me, I don’t know about mixing pumpkin with pasta…

    2. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad your kids enjoyed it! This recipe sounds amazing, I’ll have to try it for my family too! 🍂

3.65 from 156 votes
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