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–+ servings

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake is a hearty casserole that combines al dente pasta with a velvety pumpkin sauce, aromatic herbs, and melted cheese. It's a versatile recipe that can be easily adapted to suit vegetarian diets or enhanced with your favorite proteins. The golden layers of creamy, pumpkin-infused goodness will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 pound dry pasta used a short rigatoni shape, but ziti or farfalle would also work well

To make the Pumpkin filling

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree used canned
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Pinch of white pepper
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

To make the White Sauce

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Colman’s dry mustard powder

Other

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Start by cooking your pasta until it's just firm to the bite (al dente). While the pasta cooks, mix the pumpkin filling in a bowl. Combine pumpkin puree, ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and seasonings, then set aside.

To make the white sauce

  • Warm the milk and stock in a small pan or microwave until hot. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add chopped sage and sauté for 4 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the butter mixture and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add the hot milk and stock to the saucepan in thirds, whisking thoroughly after each addition.
  • Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and dry mustard. Stir to combine. Once the sauce is smooth and well-blended, remove from heat. Set your oven to preheat at 375°F (190°C) while you finish preparing the other components of the dish.

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 two additional times. Then add one last layer of the remaining white sauce and top that with the remaining mozzarella.
  • Bake uncovered in a 375°F (190°C) oven for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and the dish is heated through and bubbly.
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