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–+ servings

Creamy Spiced Pumpkin and Sage Fettuccine (20 Mins)

This 20-minute autumn pasta coats tender fettuccine ribbons in a velvety garlic pumpkin cream sauce infused with freshly ground nutmeg, crispy brown butter sage leaves, and toasted pecans. Pure comforting weeknight luxury made in one skillet.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 hearty servings
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Crispy Herb Garnish:
  • 12 oz (340g) fettuccine or tagliatelle pasta bronze-cut preferred for sauce adhesion
  • 3 tbsp (45g) unsalted grass-fed butter for crisping sage & browning
  • 15-18 whole leaves fresh sage leaves fried until shatteringly crisp
  • 1/3 cup (40g) pecans or walnuts roughly chopped and toasted
Velvety Spiced Pumpkin Sauce:
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium (70g) shallot, finely minced or 1/2 small sweet onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
  • 1 cup (245g) 100% pure pumpkin purée canned or homemade, not pumpkin pie mix
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream or half-and-half warm to prevent curdling
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium vegetable broth or starchy pasta water
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated whole nutmeg vital for authentic aroma
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon warm subtle undertone
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Finishing & Emulsion:
  • 3/4 cup (75g) freshly grated aged Parmesan cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano
  • 1/2 cup reserved starchy pasta cooking water vital for glossy silk emulsion

Method
 

Step-by-Step Cooking Walkthrough:
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Cook fettuccine until 1 minute shy of al dente (about 9 to 10 minutes). Before draining, ladle out 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water and set aside.
  2. While pasta boils, melt butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh sage leaves in a single layer and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp and darkened. Transfer crisp sage to a paper towel-lined plate using tongs, leaving the aromatic infused butter in the skillet.
  3. In the same skillet, add olive oil, minced shallot, and garlic. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-low heat until fragrant and translucent, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  4. Stir in the pure pumpkin purée, vegetable broth, heavy cream, freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce is smoothly incorporated and gently bubbling.
  5. Fold in the grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until completely melted into a silky, luscious orange cream.
  6. Transfer drained al dente fettuccine directly into the simmering sauce. Pour in a splash of reserved starchy pasta water and toss vigorously with kitchen tongs for 1 to 2 minutes over low heat until the sauce clings glossily to every ribbon.
  7. Divide pasta into warm shallow bowls. Garnish immediately with crispy fried sage leaves, toasted chopped pecans, extra shaved parmesan, and fresh black pepper. Serve piping hot!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 14gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 490mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 780IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 3.2mg

Notes

• Starchy Pasta Water is Liquid Gold: Do not skip reserving cooking water! The active starches emulsify with the pumpkin and heavy cream to create a glossy restaurant-quality cling rather than a clumpy sauce.n• Wholesome Autumn Dinner: Serve alongside our warm artisan garlic bread and a crisp autumn arugula salad.

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