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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy comforting fall dinner idea! So easy and delicious!
‘Tis the season…for pumpkin recipes! And I really hope you aren’t completely tired of seeing pumpkin recipes…because this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake is super delicious and the perfect taste of fall!
Most people think of desserts when they think of cooking with pumpkin – but it’s also a really delicious squash for savory dishes like this creamy pumpkin pasta bake!
Reader Review
“I made a double batch of this delicious recipe for our book club gathering. It was a big hit! The name of the recipe features the word creamy. Indeed, it was creamy and just so tasty! I used a small sugar pumpkin that I cooked whole in my Instant Pot. I didn’t have fresh sage, so I used dry. Thank you for this fab recipe!!” -Christine
How do you make this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake?
Layers of pasta, mozzarella cheese, a creamy filling of pureed pumpkin, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, and a delicious sage-infused white sauce are all combined in a casserole and then topped with a final layer of mozzarella cheese. Bake until golden and bubbly – and a hearty and comforting dinner is ready to be served!
Even if you think you don’t like pumpkin – you really need to give this terrific (and very easy) Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake a try! Pumpkin has such a wonderful mellow flavor when it’s baked (especially without all of the spices typically found in pumpkin dessert recipes) – and combined with the creamy sauce in this recipe – you may discover a new favorite food!
And although we enjoy this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake as a meatless meal option – this creamy pumpkin pasta bake would also be terrific with cooked crumbled sausage added for a spicier version, or with bacon added for a more smokey flavor. Either way, you are sure to love this easy dish!
How do you serve this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake?
This Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake can be served as an entree with a salad on the side that has been topped with a simple vinaigrette, or it can be served as a side dish alongside some roasted chicken or a pan-seared steak.
You may enjoy these other Pumpkin recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Purée
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Corn Chowder
- Pumpkin Corn Fritters
- Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Pumpkin Butter
We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @afamilyfeast or hashtag #afamilyfeast so we can see your creations!
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy comforting fall dinner idea! So easy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound dry pasta (we used a short rigatoni shape, but ziti or farfalle would also work well)
To make the Pumpkin filling
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (used canned or our homemade slow cooker pumpkin puree)
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of white pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
To make the White Sauce
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Colman’s dry mustard powder
Other
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions until al dente (firm to the bite but not soft). Drain well.
To make the pumpkin filling
- In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, ricotta, egg, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, white pepper and parsley. Mix well and set aside.
To make the white sauce
- In a small pan, heat milk and stock, or combine and microwave. In a small sauce pan melt the butter over medium heat and add the chopped sage. Saute for 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 3 more minutes. Add the hot stock and milk to the butter and flour mixture one third at a time whisking each time. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and dry mustard. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees
To assemble
- In a medium casserole dish, layer the ingredients as follows: 1/4th of the prepared White Sauce, 1/3rd of the cooked pasta, 1/3rd of the Pumpkin filling and 1/4th of the mozzarella.
- Repeat these same layers 2 additional times. Then add one last layer of the remaining white sauce and top that with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and the dish is heated through and bubbly.
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May I prepare this in advance for serving in three days time ? Shall I freeze or just refrigerate and how to adjust baking time? Thank you for the recipie- looking forward to serving to veg niece during visit.
Hi Linda – I would suggest partially baking it, then freezing if you need to hold it for as long as three days. Then reheat/finish the baking time when ready to serve. Hope that helps!
I made this for a Fall Potluck at work today. It was a hit! Thank you for another great recipe!
We’re glad you enjoyed it Karon! Thanks for taking the time to write to us!
Looks fantastic! I had a lot of pumpkin pasta/lasagna dishes when I was in Italy and it was really neat to stumble across this recipe! I might recommend, however, maybe adjusting it so that “2 cups mozzarella” isn’t under the heading “white sauce”… I don’t usually read directions if it seems fairly clear what to do, and “white sauce” is relatively self-explanatory, so I ended up thinking, oh! a cheese sauce! …and tossed the mozzarella directly into the white sauce… I’m sure it will all turn out fine; it mixes in the end anyways… 🙂
Thanks Madelaine – Sorry for the confusion!
I made this recipe about 2 weeks ago, and I’m writing to say it is The Bomb!!! Thank you for sharing this recipe…It was such a welcomed change from baked ziti/tomato, pasta, ricotta bakes!
Thank you Wanda!! I agree – it is a delicious change! 🙂
Martha, This looks fabulous. I want to make it but my boyfriend won’t touch it with sage in it. Do you have a recommendation for a herb to substitute for sage? Can’t be rosemary, thyme or cilantro.
Hi Karon – You could try using marjoram or savory – or simply some parsley! Hope that helps!
Thanks! I will.
Cannot wait to try this dish!!!
Thanks Melodee!
I made this tonight for dinner, and it was amazing! My husband and I LOVED it!!! It was so easy to make and delicious! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe Courtney! Thanks for writing to us!
Yummy
Thanks Cathy!
This looks like possibly the best recipe EVER. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog through Pinterest. Everything here looks delicious!
Thank you so much Jen! We’re glad you found us too! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
This looks absolutely divine! Adding to my must make list this fall!
Thanks Kathy! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Oh my goodness!!! This is wonderful!!! The flavored are extrodinary especially the white sauce, thank you for this recipe it’s going to be my new family fall favorite!!! DELICIOUS and quite easy too!!
Thanks Catharine!