Easy Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta

This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.

This delicious and comforting pumpkin sage pasta is perfect for dinner or an easy lunch. Made with creamy pumpkin, fresh sage, and your favorite pasta, this savory meal is sure to please even the pickiest eaters!

As a busy mom, I always look for quick and easy dinner recipes that the whole family will love.

This vegan pumpkin sage pasta is a delicious fall dish that comes together in 30 minutes. Plus, it’s packed with tasty ingredients like smoked paprika, black pepper, and pumpkin!

What Is Pumpkin Sage Pasta?

Pumpkin sage pasta is a decadent fall dish that offers a delicious twist on traditional Italian pasta.

This savory Italian-inspired meal combines creamy pumpkin puree, fragrant sage, and vegan cheese to create a hearty, warming meal that everybody can enjoy.

Not only is the vegan pumpkin sage pasta packed with incredible flavors, but it’s also an easy-to-prepare dish that will delight vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

With minimal prep time and simple yet flavorful ingredients, this fall favorite brings warmth to any kitchen with the aroma of smoked paprika and garlic in the air.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe makes a flavorful and nutritious meal you can enjoy any night of the week. With its savory ingredients and delectable spices, it is sure to become a family favorite.

Here are three reasons you’ll love this recipe:

• Rick in Fiber and Protein: making it the perfect meal for vegetarians or those looking to keep their diet healthy.
• Extremely Easy to Make: you won’t have to run around town searching for ingredients or spend hours preparing each component.
• Flavors Pack a Punch: it will take just one bite to appreciate the mouthwatering excellence of this dish.

What Does Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta Taste Like?

Pumpkin pasta provides a subtle balance of sweetness and savoriness. The general taste you can expect is a sweet one due to the pumpkin, tangy because of the garlic, and herby because of the seasonings.

The hint of paprika and black pepper adds complexity to the dish, giving it an extra dash of warmth and depth.

The pumpkins true flavor comes through in the dish, making each bite like a delicious hug in a bowl.

Is Pumpkin Pasta Healthy?

The truth is, it depends on how you make the pumpkin pasta!

If you opt for whole wheat pasta and either puree your own pumpkin or choose a canned pumpkin with no added sugar, then your pumpkin pasta can definitely be healthy.

On the other hand, if you use regular white noodles with store-bought sauces filled with preservatives and sugar, your pumpkin pasta will have little to no nutritional value.

No matter which route you decide to go with, however, remember to keep portion size in mind for a balanced meal.

What Are The Benefits Of Pumpkin Pasta?

This unique twist on a classic Italian specialty provides all the familiar pasta flavors but with a few added bonuses.

Not only is pumpkin pasta incredibly tasty and nutritious, but it also offers those striving to maintain a healthy diet an excellent alternative to traditional carb-heavy dishes.

Rich in fiber and antioxidants, pumpkin pasta offers the same filling effect as regular pasta but with fewer calories.

Plus, its vivid orange hue makes for a picturesque meal when presented on your plate!

Ingredients For Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta

• Gluten-free pasta – This allows for a delicious meal suitable for all dietary preferences. Feel free to use your pasta of choice.
• Pumpkin puree – This is the recipe’s star and what gives your pumpkin sauce the yummy, creamy topping it is!
• Canned Coconut milk – Adding this to your dish makes it taste sweet and nutty while giving it a delightful floral fragrance.
• Olive oil – This delicate liquid helps give your pasta an aromatic, almost winey taste. Vegan butter is also an option here.
• Garlic cloves – It would be ideal if you diced fresh garlic, but garlic powder will give your pasta dish a tangy taste just as well.
• Sage – Adding fried sage leaves as a topping offers an unforgettable, herby taste. It can be fresh or dried!
• Smoked paprika – You want to add this seasoning to your dish for a hint of smokey and sweet flavors!
• Vegan parmesan cheese – Topping your dish with this gives it that distinct, cheesy flavor.
• Salt – Because no meal is complete without this classic seasoning!
• Black pepper – Sprinkling this on your recipe will guarantee a woody and earthy flavor.

Tools Needed To Prepare Pumpkin Pasta

• Sharp knife for cutting the pumpkin
• Food processor or high-speed blender for blending ingredients to create a creamy sauce
• Spoon for adding olive oil
• Frying pan for cooking the sauce
• Pot for boiling pasta

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Pumpkin Pasta

Pumpkin puree

If you can’t find canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling, you can try making the recipe by creating homemade pumpkin puree from pumpkins, which makes it taste much fresher.

Sage

In case your store doesn’t have any sage, you can substitute the fresh sage leaves with fresh thyme, which provides a similar, earthy flavor.

Thyme pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables or creamy sauces, so don’t worry about your meal not tasting as flavorful because of the substitution.

Coconut milk

You may not be a big fan of the coconut flavor, which is perfectly fine. You can switch unsweetened coconut milk to other nut milk, including almond milk, hazelnut milk, or cashew milk.

Not only does almond milk have a subtle nutty flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of pumpkin, but it also is much more versatile in terms of what recipes it works with.

Another option here is to use homemade cashew cream if coconut milk is not an option for you.

Others

Try adding wild mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Different herbs, like thyme, parsley, basil, hot pepper flakes, or chili flakes, can replace sage if you want a different flavor.

You can also switch up the pasta, opting for whole-grain alternatives such as whole spelt or quinoa macaroni.

Making these changes to the vegan pumpkin sage pasta recipe allows you to give it your unique spin while keeping the deliciously comforting tastes of fall intact!

How to Make Pumpkin Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb gluten-free pasta
• 15 oz pumpkin puree
• 14 oz coconut milk
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 6-7 sage leaves
• ¾ tsp smoked paprika
• 4 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 ½ tsp salt (to taste)

Instructions

STEP 1: To prepare this delicious creamy pumpkin pasta, gather and measure all the ingredients.

STEP 2: First, cut the pumpkin and bring it to a boil for 15 minutes or until it softens enough to make a purée.

STEP 3: Now, carefully remove the skin and discard it.

STEP 4: With the rest, transfer it to a food processor/high-speed blender and add the coconut milk, olive oil, salt & pepper to taste and blend until you get a creamy sauce.

STEP 5: Next, take a frying pan and put it on medium heat. Add a spoon or two of olive oil and fry the sage leaves until they turn darker and hardened. Leave them to dry on a paper napkin. Save it for later.

STEP 6: Now, take a pot with salty water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. Once it’s boiling, cook your choice of pasta for the suggested time on the package.

STEP 7: In the meantime, transfer the pumpkin sauce into a frying pan and put it on medium heat. Add the paprika and mix it with the sauce. Cook the sauce for about 4-5 minutes, depending on how thick you prefer your sauce. Remove from heat. Note: If your sauce is very thick, you can add some of the pasta water.

STEP 8: Once the pasta is ready, transfer it to the frying pan and add the walnuts.

STEP 9: Toss the pasta around until all the pasta gets covered in sauce. Top up with vegan parmesan cheese and fried sage (you can use the entire leaf or break it down into smaller pieces).

What To Serve With Vegan Pumpkin Pasta

A tasty side dish with a hearty plate of pumpkin sage pasta is the perfect way to turn a simple pasta dish into an impressive meal.

I just thought about one amazing combination: serving roasted brussels sprouts or sauteed vegetables with this pumpkin sage pasta!

The roasting brings out the caramelized sweetness in the Brussels sprouts, which contrasts nicely against the rich and savory flavors of the pumpkin sage pasta.

For something lighter, try bi-colored baby potatoes cooked in olive oil. Simple yet flavorful, they’re bound to be a hit at the dinner table.

Let’s not forget a warm, crusty Italian bread or French baguette. The crisp texture contrasts the creamy texture of the pasta for a great textural experience.

Imagine the pure bliss of dipping the bread in that vegan pumpkin pasta sauce! Yum!!

To add depth and flavor to the dish, I suggest sprinkling freshly grated (vegan) parmesan cheese on top before serving.

And greens? Nothing goes better with a carb-based dinner than crunchy greens! But if you’re feeling a little adventurous, try this Nigerian egg salad.

Try these recipes from the blog:

• Mouth-Watering French Pickled Garlic
• Perfect French Baguettes
• How to Make The Classic Nigerian Salad

Tips About Making Pumpkin Pasta

To ensure your vegan pumpkin sage pasta turns out just right, here are a few tips:

• If the pumpkin sauce is too thick, loosen it up by adding leftover pasta water and gently mix it together.
• Pick a good (vegan) cheese— different cheeses have different flavors and textures that will pair well with the pumpkin and sage.
• Cook the sage sprigs and olive oil on low-medium heat until they’re fragrant – this adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
• Don’t skimp on the seasonings.
• Don’t overcook the pasta – al dente is key for this dish. Fettuccine, bowtie, penne, or rotini are some of the best for this pumpkin pasta recipe. You can even use chickpea pasta as a wonderful alternative to your go-to gluten-free pasta.
• White wine is totally optional. Don’t feel like you have to add white wine when cooking this fall recipe.

How To Store Pumpkin Pasta

The key to keeping the pasta yummy is to store it correctly.

Let the cooked pasta cool down before putting it in an air-tight container or resealable plastic bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible for optimal seal strength.

Fridge: Store the sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Freezer: Freezing will help extend its shelf life, with a limit of two months if frozen properly.

Reheating: When heating up your pumpkin sage pasta, make sure to reheat it thoroughly until hot. You can use a microwave.

FAQ About Pumpkin Pasta

Conclusion

Fall is the perfect time for indulging in a warm and delicious pumpkin pasta dish.

This vegan-friendly, 30-minute dinner recipe is easy to make and bursts with flavor, making it an ideal meal for anyone looking for a comforting dinner full of seasonal goodness.

Plus, with a great side dish like garlic bread, your dinner guests will surely ask for seconds.

Bon Appetit! Enjoy your (vegan) pumpkin sage pasta!

If you liked this vegan pumpkin sage pasta recipe, you’d love these related posts:

• Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Vegan Pumpkin Pie Hummus
• St. Patrick’s Day (Spinach Pancake)
• Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
• Vegan Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies