This recipe is definitely not heart healthy or light, but it is oh so worth it! Creamy Alfredo paired with the flavors of fall makes for an absolutely decadent pumpkin Alfredo that you don’t want to miss out on. This recipe is a show stopper, but it is easy to make and comes together quickly. This meal is perfect for a large family, dinner party, or meal for two. The best part about making pasta is that it really isn’t any more effort to make a lot of it than it is to make a quick meal for two.
I made this recipe for dinner, and ended up having enough for both of our lunches the next day. I love when that happens! And if we’re being honest, this recipe does technically hit a lot of major food groups: dairy, fat, carbs, protein, and veggies. SCORE! So sit down, relax, make this recipe, and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1 tbs olive oil
- ½ lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 5 oz bag of greens such as kale, spinach, or chard
- 1 ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp sage
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups parmesan, pecorino, or toscano cheese (whatever hard cheese you like)
- 1 tbs butter
- ¾ lb your favorite pasta (I used rigatoni)
Start by browning the sausage in a heavy bottomed pot [click for link] with the olive oil. Once it is nice and brown, remove it and set it aside. Add the greens into the pan and sauté until just wilted. Remove them and set them aside in the bowl with the sausage.
Boil the pasta in salted water until it is just about cooked, but has a minute or two left.
While the pasta is cooking, add in the pumpkin puree, white wine, and spices, deglazing the pan, scraping up all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add in the heavy cream, mixing to thoroughly combine and get a smooth texture. Simmer, stirring continuously for 2 or 3 minutes. Add in the cheese, one cup at a time, stirring it in to fully incorporate it.
Add in the pasta and stir to make sure everything is evenly coated. Add in the sausage, greens, and any accumulated juices, stirring to combine. Garnish with more cheese and fresh black pepper and enjoy this decadent pumpkin alfredo!