Description
This Irresistible Cheesy Pasta Bake with Pumpkin combines tender pasta, creamy pumpkin cheese sauce, and a bubbly golden topping for a cozy, comforting autumn dinner. Perfect for fall nights, it’s one of the best savory recipes with pumpkin puree — hearty, satisfying, and easy to make.
Ingredients
12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni, regular or gluten-free) 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend) 2 cups milk 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons fresh sage or parsley, chopped (optional) ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, undercooking by 1–2 minutes. Drain and set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Stir in pumpkin puree, salt, pepper, nutmeg, half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. 3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix pasta and sauce in a large bowl, then transfer to the baking dish. 4. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Add breadcrumbs if using. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. 5. Let cool slightly. Garnish with sage or parsley before serving.
Notes
• Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free version. • Don’t use sweetened pumpkin pie filling — only pure pumpkin puree. • Add cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or roasted squash for variation. • Bake inside a hollowed pumpkin for a festive presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta bake with pumpkin, savory recipes with pumpkin puree, shredded pumpkin recipes, pumpkin and squash recipes, autumn recipes gluten free