Pumpkin Pasta Bake with Brown Butter Walnuts

A delicious and comforting pasta bake featuring a creamy pumpkin sauce, gooey cheeses, and crunchy brown butter walnuts.

Cook time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
• 0 salt for boiling water
• 2 cups pumpkin puree canned or homemade
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese grated
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried sage or fresh sage, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg optional
• 0.5 cup milk or cream
• 0 mozzarella cheese for topping
• 1 cup walnuts toasted, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, salt, pepper, nutmeg (if using), and milk. Mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the pumpkin sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
5. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese and toasted walnuts on top.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or sage if desired.