Description
This Pumpkin and Sausage Pasta Bake is creamy, cheesy, delicious, and ready in less than an hour. It’s the perfect fall and winter comfort food dinner!
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta, or ziti
- 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon roasted chicken base, such as Better Than Bouillon
- 1 cup water
- 1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Spray a 3 or 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than stated on the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Remove the cooked sausage from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Leave about one tablespoon of sausage grease in the skillet and remove any excess.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the onions to the skillet. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the onions start to soften without browning.
- Add the garlic and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, for another minute.
- Combine the roasted chicken base and water. Add the mixture to the skillet along with the pumpkin and sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Add the half and half and cooked sausage. Simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, keeping in mind that Parmesan cheese will add saltiness.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and gently stir to combine.
- Place half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese has melted.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately for the best results.
Notes
- If you can’t find bulk Italian sausage, buy sausage links and remove the meat from the casings.
- You can substitute 1 cup of chicken broth for the roasted chicken base and water.
- Estimated calories are based on 4 servings. Each serving contains approximately 753 calories. If divided into 6 servings, each serving contains approximately 502 calories.
- Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. If you prefer softer pasta, cook it according to the package directions.
- This pasta bake is best served immediately because the pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American