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This creamy, dreamy Pumpkin Spaghetti Alfredo recipe is the ultimate Fall comfort food. With fresh pumpkin puree, cream, sage, wine and spices, this pumpkin pasta is on the table in under 20 minutes!
One of the best things about creamy pasta recipes is, well besides their creamy deliciousness, how quick and easy they are to make. This Pumpkin Spaghetti Alfredo is a Fall inspired twist on traditional Fettucine Alfredo.
With pumpkin puree and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with fresh sage, this creamy pasta has all the Fall feels!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Pumpkin puree (Learn How to make Pumpkin Puree) mixed with cream, spices and fresh sage has the most incredible rich texture, with the perfect hint of Fall flavors;
- It comes together quickly and is perfect for an easy weeknight meal;
- It has bacon which automatically means it's good...right?
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Step By Step Instructions
Start by cooking the pasta about 2 minutes less than what the package says. We want it to be al dente. It will finish cooking in the sauce at the end.
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and add garlic and shallots. Cook until soft. Add the chopped sage and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add the wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper and simmer until reduced by half (about 5 minutes).
Add the pumpkin puree and bacon and bring to a simmer.
Add the cream and bring back to a simmer. for about 3-5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
Add the pasta and cook for about 1 minute.
Remove from heat and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh sage leaves (optional).
Expert Tips
- Make sure not to overcook your pasta or the dish will be mushy. Cook it al dente, or even slight less as it will continue to cook when added to the sauce;
- Cook the bacon extra crispy to ensure it is easily crumbled and doesn't get soggy in the dish;
- You can make the pumpkin alfredo sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use. Just heat it and mix with cooked pasta to serve. You may need to add a touch of milk or cream to thin it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you thicken alfredo sauce? I typically use a cornstarch slurry to thicken alfredo sauce. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Pour it in the sauce, just a little at a time while stirring, until desired thickness is reached. Use more or less of the slurry as needed.
- How to thin out alfredo sauce? You can thin it by adding a touch of cream, white wine or whole milk. Just mix while adding the additional liquid until the desired consistency is reached.
- How long does alfredo last? Alfredo sauce will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
- Can you freeze fettucine alfredo? You can freeze the alfredo sauce, but I don't recommend freezing it with the pasta. Freeze the sauce in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove top, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
More Savory Pumpkin Recipes
- Curry Pumpkin Soup;
- Creamy Pumpkin Pasta;
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds;
- Pumpkin Spinach Salad from The Endless Meal;
- Pumpkin Chili from Olivia's Cuisine;
- Roasted Winter Vegetables.
Favorite Fall Recipes
- Butternut Squash Stuffing (with Bacon);
- Easy Pumpkin Scones;
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup;
- Caramel Apple Galette;
- Browse all the FALL RECIPES.
You May Also Love These Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Salmon Pasta;
- Creamy Cajun Pasta;
- Linguine with White Clam Sauce;
- Creamy Shrimp Scampi;
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta;
Did you make this pumpkin spaghetti alfredo recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dried spaghetti
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
- 1 shallot minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain, rinse and set aside.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat until browned (about 2 minutes) and add garlic and shallots. Cook until soft then add the chopped sage. Sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add the wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper and simmer until reduced by half (about 5 minutes).
- Add the pumpkin puree and bacon and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cream and bring back to a simmer while stirring.
- Add the pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve garnished with fresh sage leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips:
- Make sure not to overcook your pasta or the dish will be mushy. Cook it slightly less than al dente as it will continue to cook when added to the sauce.
- Cook the bacon extra crispy to ensure it is easily crumbled and doesn't get soggy in the dish.
- Fresh grated parmesan is highly recommended as it melts into the sauce better.
- Make it vegan by substituting olive oil for butter, coconut cream for heavy cream, and vegan cheese for Parmesan, as well as omitting the bacon.
- If you use homemade pumpkin puree, strain it through a mesh sieve to squeeze out any excess liquid (it tends to be thinner than canned versions).
Gunjan
I was wondering what vegetarian ingredient can I substitute for bacon since I don’t eat it. I really want to make this tonight.
Danielle
You can just leave the bacon out f you want to keep it vegetarian.
Loreto
Wow I would have never thought of doing a spaghetti with a pumpkin cream sauce, but it makes perfect sense! I can only imagine how it tastes and I think we are going to take it from imagination to reality very soon! Amazing!
Danielle
Thanks!
Veronika
This is an interesting flavor! Pasta with pumpkin sauce! Why I never thought about it before?... Will make it this weekend!
Danielle
Hope you love it!
Tammy
This is right up my alley!! I love the creaminess from the pumpkin puree..genius idea for a fall alfredo! Looks absolutely delish!
Danielle
Thanks Tammy!
Gina
I absolutely love savory pumpkin recipes! I can't wait to try this! How do you think this recipe would work with zucchini noodles? Would it be to heavy for this recipe? Or even spaghetti squash?
Danielle
I've never used zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash, but I'm sure they would both work fine!
Sophie
This is such an amazing recipe. Love the usage of a vegetable in the sauce. Nutritious yet yum!
Danielle
Thanks Sophie!
Leslie
Great recipe! Such a fun, creative twist. on a traditional pasta dish. Great flavors too!
Danielle
Thanks Leslie!
Analida Braeger
I love the tips on how to construct the sauce in the pan and get it nice and thick!
Danielle
I'm glad you like it 🙂
Bernice Hill
This dish has such a wonderful combination of flavours...how can you go wrong with cream, bacon and pumpkin on pasta?!
Danielle
Right? Thanks Bernice!