Frugal Pumpkin Pasta Recipes

HEALTHY PUMPKIN PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel pumpkin and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups). Toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the honey. Roast on a baking sheet until tender, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
• While pasta is cooking, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and anchovies (optional) in a skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add walnuts and pumpkin. Toss to combine and heat through. Set aside.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Toss pasta with 1/2 cup cooking water and stir in parsley and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Transfer to a bowl, and toss well with walnut and pumpkin mixture. Serve immediately.

PUMPKIN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Dust a baking sheet with flour.
• For the pasta: Put the flour and pumpkin puree in a food processor and pulse in short bursts until the mixture comes together and a dough forms, about 1 minute.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll and cut the pasta to desired thickness using a rolling pin or a pasta machine. Cut into the desired shape, transfer to the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with flour (this keeps the pieces from sticking together). Cover the pasta with plastic wrap for up to 4 hours if you are not cooking right away (see Cook's Note).
• Cook the pasta until tender but not mushy (there shouldn't be a line of raw flour in the center), 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness and shape. Drain thoroughly.
• For the sage butter: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leaves are crispy and the butter begins to brown slightly and has a nutty aroma. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss vigorously to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY PUMPKIN PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, shallow, flameproof casserole or frying pan over a low-medium heat and fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 10-15 mins until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and fry for 1 min more. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, cook the pumpkin in a pan of boiling salted water for 10-15 mins until tender when pierced with a cutlery knife. Drain and tip into a blender (or use a hand blender). Blitz with 50ml milk and the onions until completely smooth, gradually adding more milk until the mixture is thick enough to just coat the back of a spoon (you may not need all the milk). Tip into a large frying pan with the tomato purée and mascarpone, and bring to a simmer over a low heat.
• Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, salted water following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a cupful of the cooking water. Toss the pasta with the pumpkin sauce, parmesan and 50-100ml of the reserved water to loosen. Season and scatter with extra parmesan.