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Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta

This Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta is a comforting dish that combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the creaminess of Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect for a cozy evening with friends or a special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 300 g Pasta (any type, e.g. Tagliatelle or Penne)
  • 400 g Pumpkin (e.g. Hokkaido or Butternut), diced
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
  • 150 ml Vegetable broth
  • 100 g Parmesan, freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh Thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried Thyme)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Optional: Arugula or fresh Spinach for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted water. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente, which usually takes 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Ensure the oil is hot enough to evenly sauté the pumpkin cubes, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the diced pumpkin to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until it becomes soft and lightly browned. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  4. Add the 2 finely chopped garlic cloves to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
  5. Pour the 150 ml vegetable broth into the pan and let everything simmer for another 5 minutes. The pumpkin should be completely soft by now. Stir occasionally.
  6. Use a potato masher or a fork to roughly mash the pumpkin in the pan. Ensure the mixture is creamy but not too smooth, so it retains some texture.
  7. Add 100 g of freshly grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme. Stir the sauce until the cheese has melted and everything is well combined. The sauce should now be creamy and aromatic.
  8. Mix the cooked pasta directly into the pumpkin sauce and combine well, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated. Let the mixture sit on low heat for 1-2 minutes.
  9. Season the pasta with salt and pepper. If desired, add more Parmesan to intensify the cheese flavor.
  10. Serve the Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta immediately, garnished with fresh arugula or spinach and possibly more Parmesan. Enjoy your delicious dish!

Nutrition

Keywords: For a creamier sauce, reduce the heat after adding the broth and let the sauce simmer gently to enhance the flavors. If you don't have fresh thyme, rosemary is a great alternative that adds a robust flavor.