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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Italian Chicken Sausage and Spinach

A super easy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce that comes together in one pot and brings with it a TON of flavor! Mild (or spicy!) Italian chicken sausage, pumpkin puree, fresh sage and spices + plenty of spinach for a healthy and delicious fall pasta.

Course dinner, Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken sausage, pasta, pumpkin, sage
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
  • 3 Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion or shallots
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white wine or broth (white wine, vegetable or chicken broth work here)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh sage, divided
  • 1/4 tsp each - salt, pepper, and ground cinnamon
  • dash ground nutmeg (I prefer freshly grated)
  • 1/4 cup oat milk (or half-n-half - I don't use dairy milk)
  • 2 Tbsp shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Make sure to salt the pasta water - I add 1 Tbsp of kosher salt to the water. Boil, drain and set aside.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tsp olive oil and brown chicken sausage until no longer pink, breaking it up in to crumbles as you cook it. Remove from skillet and set aside.

  3. In the same skillet, add onion and garlic with 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium high-heat. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Sauté until just starting to soften and brown.

  4. Add wine/broth + bay leaf. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by about half.

  5. Stir in remaining broth, pumpkin puree, 1 Tbs chopped sage, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt + pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Add oat milk/cream and cooked sausage pieces; heat through.

  6. Remove bay leaf. Add the chopped spinach. Cook until it lightly wilts.

  7. Transfer to a large bowl with the pasta. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining chopped fresh sage.

Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Italian Chicken Sausage and Spinach
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 400
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.