Pumpkin Pasta with Crispy Pancetta and Parmesan Cream
This creamy pumpkin pasta pairs fresh fettuccine with a savory sauce made from pumpkin purée, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and crispy pancetta. Finished with fresh sage and pine nuts, it's a comforting fall dish that comes together quickly for a weeknight dinner.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 9 ounces fresh fettuccine
- 1-1/2 cups pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup half-and-half plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 lb sliced pancetta cut into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts pignoli
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage finely chopped (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Put a pot of salted water on to boil for the fettuccine.
- Combine the pumpkin purée, half-and-half, parmesan cheese, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and set aside.
- Fry the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and drain excess fat from the pan, but don’t wipe it clean - leave a thin coating for flavor.
- Add the olive oil and onion and place the pan back on the stove over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, 2 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Stir in the pine nuts and a few grinds of black pepper. Continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from browning.
- Return the pancetta to the pan, add the chopped sage, and stir to combine.
- Stir in the pumpkin mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- While the pumpkin sauce is cooking, cook and drain the fettuccine according to package directions.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss with tongs to coat evenly in the pumpkin sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of extra half-and-half to loosen. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 585 | Total Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1035mg | Carbohydrates: 60g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Protein: 20g