Pasta with Pumpkin Pesto
Transform your pasta night into an autumnal feast with this irresistible Pasta with Pumpkin Pesto recipe! Featuring a rich, velvety pumpkin purée blended with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, roasted pumpkin seeds, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice, this unique sauce is a seasonal twist on classic pesto. Perfectly tossed with your favorite pasta and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and optional red pepper flakes, every bite is packed with creamy, nutty, and savory goodness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Garnish with extra Parmesan or toasted pumpkin seeds for a gourmet presentation that’s sure to impress. Wholesome, flavorful, and utterly satisfying, this pumpkin pesto pasta is sure to brighten up your fall menu! Keywords: pumpkin pesto pasta, easy fall recipe, creamy pesto sauce, seasonal pasta dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta of your choice (e.g., penne, fusilli, or linguine)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
- 0.25 teaspoon optional red pepper flakes
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set it aside.
In a food processor, combine the pumpkin puree, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add optional red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, if desired.
Transfer the drained pasta back into the pot. Add the pumpkin pesto and toss it with the pasta to coat evenly.
Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
Heat the pasta over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until warmed through.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or toasted pumpkin seeds, if you like.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1494 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 91.8 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.2 g | 106% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 45 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 1905 mg | 83% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 136.6 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.1 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.0 g | ||
| Protein | 46.9 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 580 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 9.1 mg | 51% | |
| Potassium | 976 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
