Creamy Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Pasta for Cozy Nights Recipe
This Creamy Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Pasta is a comforting and wholesome dish perfect for cozy nights. Featuring a luscious sauce made from canned pumpkin purée and full-fat cottage cheese, combined with sautéed garlic and fragrant nutmeg, this pasta offers a creamy texture with a subtle autumnal flavor. Topped with fresh sage and Parmesan cheese, it balances rich and savory notes for an inviting meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 oz Fettuccine or Linguine (or your favorite pasta type)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Canned Pumpkin Purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup Full-Fat Cottage Cheese
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg, freshly grated if possible
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
For the Garnish
- 3 Fresh Sage Leaves
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
For Adjustments
- 1/2 cup Reserved Pasta Water
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden, which enhances its aroma and flavor.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the canned pumpkin purée, full-fat cottage cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ground nutmeg, and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Blend until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Heat the Sauce: Pour the blended pumpkin sauce into the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Cook over low heat, stirring gently. Gradually add more reserved pasta water to achieve your preferred sauce consistency, ensuring it coats the pasta well.
- Combine and Season: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat every strand. Season with salt and black pepper according to your taste. Serve immediately, garnished with sautéed fresh sage leaves and additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor depth.
Notes
- Optional: Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added richness and aroma.
- Use fresh garlic and freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor.
- For a vegan version, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast and use a plant-based cottage cheese alternative.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps adjust the sauce’s texture and consistency.
- Tried this recipe? Share your feedback and enjoy your cozy meal!
Keywords: pumpkin pasta, creamy pumpkin sauce, cottage cheese pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, cozy dinner, autumn dish, fettuccine recipe, easy pasta sauce
