Pasta with Smoky Pumpkin Cream Sauce

A comforting pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made with pumpkin purée and smoky Spanish paprika, finished with fresh parsley. This elegant combination creates a perfect balance of fall flavors and creamy texture.

6 servings
17 min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound penne or other pasta
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 15 ounce pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • teaspoon sweet smoked Spanish paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • to taste parsley for serving

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain and transfer to a large bowl, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

    12 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, cook pumpkin purée, cream, paprika, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a large skillet or wide heavy pot over medium heat, whisking constantly, until smooth and warmed through, about 3 minutes. Add 3/4 cup pasta cooking liquid and whisk to combine. Add pasta and 1/4 cup parsley and cook, adding more pasta cooking liquid to thin sauce as needed, until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a platter. Top with more parsley and black pepper and serve.

    5 min