Description
Creamy pumpkin pasta sauce elevates autumn dinner tables with Mediterranean-inspired comfort. Rich cashew and pumpkin blend creates silky, nourishing sauce perfect for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) pumpkin puree or 1 3/4 cups homemade pumpkin puree
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Seasoning and Spices:
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then gently sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until they become translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour pumpkin puree, coconut milk, and vegetable broth into the skillet, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform mixture with no lumps.
- Incorporate nutritional yeast, nutmeg, thyme, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, stirring continuously to develop a silky, harmonious sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and allow the sauce to gently simmer for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure flavor integration.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning, adding extra vegetable broth if the consistency appears too dense, aiming for a smooth, velvety texture that coats pasta elegantly.
- Transfer the vibrant, creamy sauce immediately over cooked pasta, serving while piping hot to maximize flavor and texture.
Notes
- Swap coconut milk with almond or oat milk for a lighter, less rich sauce that still maintains a creamy texture.
- Add roasted garlic instead of raw for a deeper, mellower flavor profile that enhances the pumpkin’s natural sweetness.
- Boost protein content by stirring in white beans or blending silken tofu into the sauce for extra nutrition and creaminess.
- Experiment with spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding smoked paprika for a subtle warmth that complements the pumpkin’s earthiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg