Pumpkin Pasta | FoodByMaria Recipes

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Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

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Pumpkin pasta in a bowl

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

45 minutes

Yield

4

This pumpkin pasta recipe with cheesy maple tofu is a delicious fall dinner to warm you from the inside out.

It’s September which basically means summer is over (even though the weather is still nice and technically fall isn’t until September 22). However, we all feel like September 1st is the beginning of fall despite the technicalities, and with fall, that comes one thing – PUMPKIN! This pumpkin pasta recipe is a great way to use up a can of pumpkin puree, and has the perfect flavors for fall.

Pumpkin pasta in a bowl

Why you’ll love this pumpkin pasta:

  • Easy: To make this pumpkin pasta sauce, it doesn’t require to much manual labor but has great rewards. The same thing goes for the yummy cheesy maple tofu that pairs with it.
  • Fall Fever: Pumpkin and fall are a match made in heaven that every basic b*tch can never get enough of. This recipe is perfect for that
Ingredients for pumpkin pasta on a table

Ingredient Notes:

Pumpkin Puree: Do NOT make the mistake of buying pumpkin pie filling because you’ll seriously regret it. Ensure you are buying 100% pure pumpkin puree. This puree is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s so healthy.

Nutritional Yeast: To give the tofu a cheesy flavor, I’ve used Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast which is seriously my favorite. Not only does it give a boost of cheesiness, but also is loaded with B vitamins, and other healthy benefits.

How to make pumpkin pasta:

To make the Cheesy Maple Tofu:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F and prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Drain the excess water from the tofu package, break it into medium-sized pieces, and add to a large bowl.
  3. Add the maple syrup, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Mix the ingredients together.
  5. Set onto the prepared tray and bake for 30 – 35 minutes until golden brown. Make sure to flip halfway through and overbake it. The best texture for this tofu is a light crispy outside, with a softer inside.
  6. Begin to prepare the remaining pasta dish within the last 10 minutes of the baking time.

To make the pumpkin pasta sauce:

  1. Prior to making the sauce or during, prepare the Spaghettini pasta according to the instructions on the package in a large pot.
  2. Rinse and strain, saving ½ cup of the pasta water.
  3. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  4. Once it begins to bubble, add the garlic.
  5. Cook for 3 – 5 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, minced onion, cracked black pepper, and red chili flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  7. Add the cherry tomatoes, cooking for another 2 – 3 minutes, allowing them to soften.
  8. Next, add the heavy cream, nutritional yeast, and pasta water, and let it cook for 5 minutes to thicken.
  9. Add the parmesan cheese, constantly stir to allow even melting, and bring the mixture to a light boil.
  10. Transfer the cooked Spaghettini pasta into the large pan with the sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine.
  11. Gently stir the cheesy maple tofu into the pasta, and serve with fresh basil leaves- enjoy!

Expert Tips & FAQ:

How do I make pumpkin pasta vegan? You can definitely swap the parmesan for your favorite vegan option. 

Customize This Recipe: Feel free to customize this pasta in any way you want- use more or less nutritional yeast, half the tomatoes, add hot sauce, roast some veggies to serve, chose a different protein- it is all up to you! 

How can I make this pasta gluten-free? Make this gluten-free by using desired gluten-free pasta! 

What can I do with leftover pumpkin puree? Here are some great recipes you can use to use it up: Vegan Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Scones, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, or Easy Pumpkin Hummus.

Storage: This pasta is best kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Other fall recipes to try:

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Pumpkin pasta in a bowl

Pumpkin Pasta

5 from 1 vote
This pumpkin pasta recipe with cheesy maple tofu is a delicious fall dinner to warm you from the inside out.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Pasta, Summer Meal, Vegetarian Meals
Cuisine Vegetarian
Servings 4
Calories 477 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cheesy Maple Tofu,

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • To make the Cheesy Maple Tofu,
  • Preheat the oven to 400F and prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Drain the excess water from the tofu package, break it into medium-sized pieces, and add to a large bowl.
  • Add the maple syrup, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Mix the ingredients together.
  • Set onto the prepared tray and bake for 30 – 35 minutes until golden brown. Make sure to flip halfway through and overbake it. The best texture for this tofu is a light crispy outside, with a softer inside.
  • Begin to prepare the remaining pasta dish within the last 10 minutes of the baking time.
  • Prior to making the sauce or during, prepare the Spaghettini pasta according to the instructions on the package in a large pot.
  • Rinse and strain, saving ½ cup of the pasta water.
  • Melt the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  • Once it begins to bubble, add the garlic. Cook for 3 – 5 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, minced onion, cracked black pepper, and red chili flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes, cooking for another 2 – 3 minutes, allowing them to soften.
  • Next, add pumpkin puree and the heavy cream, nutritional yeast, and pasta water, and let it cook for 5 minutes to thicken.
  • Add the parmesan cheese, constantly stir to allow even melting, and bring the mixture to a light boil.
  • Transfer the cooked Spaghettini pasta into the large pan with the sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine.
  • Gently stir the cheesy maple tofu into the pasta, and serve with fresh basil leaves- enjoy!

Video

Notes

Notes 
This pasta is incredibly delicious- it will be a HUGE hit at all of your gatherings! 
You can definitely swap the parmesan for your favorite vegan option. 
Feel free to customize this pasta in any way you want- use more or less nutritional yeast, half the tomatoes, add hot sauce, roast some veggies to serve, chose a different protein- it is all up to you! 
Make this gluten-free by using desired gluten-free pasta! 
This pasta is best kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.7g | Protein: 22.1g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8.5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44.5mg | Sodium: 1122.5mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 20.8g
Review This Recipe Let us know how it was!
Jessie Tuz

I just baked and pureed a big pumpkin and am excited to try this recipe…. but I’m confused. When do I add the pumpkin puree? Please!

Maria Koutsogiannis

I have updated that now, sorry about that!

Natalie Sanseveeino

5 stars
Wonderful pasta that was a hit with the kids and my meat eating Italian husband! I’m always on the look out for vegan dishes that will suit my lactose intolerant kid, the other kid that loves creamy sauces and myself who is gluten sensitive and lactose intolerant. SO happy that this made everyone happy and I did substitute heavy cream for cooking pat based cream and a leek instead of an onion (thanks to my friends garden supplies!) and roasted and mashed the pumpkin the day before. It was quick, easy and a delight for everyone – 100% recommend especially if you get that onion/ leek Caramelised properly early on!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much for the love!!!!!!

5 from 1 vote

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