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Overhead view stone bowl filled with serving of creamy pumpkin pasta with sausage, topped with fresh sage and shaved parmesan

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage and Sage

A restaurant-quality pasta dish that you can make at home in just 30 minutes. Use canned pumpkin to make a decadent, well-rounded meal that’s perfect for cozy evenings at home. 

Prep: 10 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 30 mins
Servings: 6 cups (4-5 servings) 1x

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sausage: 

  • 8 ounces uncooked linguine* or fettuccine
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 lb. ground turkey (93/7)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (may substitute ¼ teaspoon ground sage)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon dried fennel, crushed 
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt 
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves, plus more for serving (may substitute ¼ teaspoon ground sage, adding it with the other spices below)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
  • 1 cup whole milk (may substitute non-dairy milk of choice)
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg, plus more for serving
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, lightly packed (2-3 ounces)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water for later. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray generously with cooking spray. Add the ground turkey, sage, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fennel, salt, pepper, and red pepper (if using). Break into small pieces using a spatula and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage and any pan juices to a clean bowl and set aside. 
  3. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the oil, butter, garlic, and sage; cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. 
  4. Add the flour to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. 
  5. Increase the heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in the milk. Continue to whisk for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens. 
  6. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. 
  7. Add the spinach and reserved ¼ cup pasta water to the sauce and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for 1-2 minutes or until the spinach starts to wilt. 
  8. Stir in the cooked sausage (and any juices from the bowl) and the Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. 
  9. Finally, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce until the noodles are well coated.
  10. Divide pasta among bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, chopped sage, and/or grated nutmeg.

Notes

*May use gluten-free linguine, if needed (we recommend Barilla, Banza, or Bionaturae brands)

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • Calories: 440
  • Fat: 17 g
  • (Sat Fat: 6 g)
  • Sodium: 509 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • (Fiber: 4 g
  • Sugar: 6 g)
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 77 mg

Dietary

© The Real Food Dietitians
Recipe By: Jessica Beacom