High-Protein Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta Recipe (7 Ingredients, 20 Minutes) High Protein Recipes Pasta Dinner Low Sodium Recipes Vegetarian Side Dishes Italian Recipes

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin! Most of us love alfredo sauce, but just wait until you add healthy pumpkin to the mix. This creamy pumpkin alfredo pasta recipe is on the table in 20 minutes and is so easy to make.

To make this creamy pumpkin alfredo recipe you will only need seven simple ingredients. Here is your short shopping list for this high-protein pasta dinner: penne pasta (or your favorite pasta), butter, shallots, canned pumpkin (read about the health benefits of pumpkin), ground nutmeg, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese (check out the health benefits of Parmesan cheese).

Photo credit: all photos under license from BigStock

Variations: You could substitute your favorite pasta for the penne. Fettuccine, tortellini, ravioli, spaghetti noodles, rotini or even angel hair would be delicious is this dish. For crunch, garnish with some pine nuts.

Serve this creamy fall-inspired alfredo pasta for dinner with your favorite side dishes. You could even serve this savory vegetarian pumpkin pasta as a side dish with your favorite protein.

Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 ounces penne pasta or your favorite pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Here's how to make it: 

1. Melt the butter in a skillet and add the shallot. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin and nutmeg and cook about 1 minute. Whisk in the cream and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cook 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper. 
2. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
3. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss. Add some of the cooking water to loosen, if desired. Serve with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with pine nuts, if desired.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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