Vegan Creamy Pumpkin Pasta (Printable)

Velvety pumpkin sauce coats penne with garlic and sage, perfect for warm autumn dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried penne or fusilli pasta (gluten-free optional)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 2/3 cups pumpkin purée (canned or homemade)
06 - 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (e.g., oat or soy)
07 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1 teaspoon dried sage or 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
14 - Fresh sage leaves
15 - Chili flakes

# How to make it:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in pumpkin purée, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, and sage. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
05 - Simmer sauce gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and heated through. Add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency if needed.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat evenly. Heat for 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh sage leaves, and chili flakes as desired.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Plant-based and vegan
  • Rich, creamy pumpkin sauce
02 -
  • Use gluten-free pasta if avoiding gluten
  • Choose plant-based milk like oat or soy for nut-free option
03 -
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed
  • Cook onions until translucent for optimal sweetness
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