Pumpkin Parmesan Cream Sauce

Yesterday I shared my basic pumpkin puree and now I’m sharing some ways to enjoy your homesteading efforts.

This pasta sauce is creamy, flavorful and different. Good different—not a standard Italian night dinner and not something you’ll find on many menus. It combines two of the season’s best flavors (pumpkin and parmesan) with a little white wine, shallots and spices. This sauce is best prepared with quality ingredients—skip the bagged cheese and shallots are a must (don’t substitute regular onion). Milk type (1%, 2%, whole is less specific) and canned pumpkin would work, too.

We tried this over two types of pasta, thick fettuccine from Aldi and a sun-dried tomato tortellini from The Fresh Market. It was delicious over both, but the filled tortellini really stood up to this thick cream sauce. We also made this into ravioli filling and yum!

Pumpkin Parmesan Cream Sauce

Rich and creamy pasta sauce with fall flavors. Best for thick or hearty pastas or pasta bakes. A little sweet, a little savory and deliciously warm and comforting.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Autumn Flavors

Servings 6 people

Calories 132 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay
• 2 tbls. brown sugar
• 2 tbls. unsalted butter
• 2 tbls. minced shallots
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. nutmeg *begin with 1/2 tsp. then add to taste
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Melt the butter in a medium to large high-sided sauce pan.
• Add shallots and garlic and cook on medium-low until translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pumpkin puree, white wine and the parmesan to pan and stir thoroughly until cheese is melted through.
• Whisk in the milk and simmer until well combined, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Stir in nutmeg, salt and pepper and let cook for 1 minute longer.
• Remove from heat and add in brown sugar until completely dissolved and well mixed. Touch up pepper or salt, if necessary.
• To reach a completely smooth consistency, add sauce into a bullet blender or use an immersion blender to mix well. Sauce should be smooth with no lumps.

  Serve over any thick, hearty pasta or use as a pasta filling.

Notes

To make into a great filling for ravioli or other pasta, make the following minor adjustments:

 use 1/4 cup heavy cream instead of the 1 cup milk and do not blend at the end. Sauce will be thicker but still have the same great flavor. Try filled pastas tossed in browned butter sage sauce.

 

For sauce: this makes about 3 cups 

For filling: this makes about 2 cups

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!