skillet spaghetti with canned pumpkin sauce
Menopause Main Dishes

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta (One Pot, 15 Minutes)

This creamy Pumpkin Pasta is a healthier twist on a basic spaghetti recipe, made in one pot in just 20 minutes. It is rich in fibre, boosted with protein, and has that cozy Fall flavour.

Why you will love this quick pumpkin pasta

  • Made with pure canned pumpkin puree that is convenient, rich in fibre and vitamin C for heart and skin health
  • The whole dish is cooked in one pot on the stove in 15 minutes
  • You can boost the fibre and protein even more by using chickpea pasta
  • Pumpkin makes a great alternative to tomato sauce, if you are sensitive to nightshades or acidic tomatoes

Key ingredients you will need

Ingredients in pumpkin pasta

Dry pasta | I used enough dry spaghetti for 2 servings this recipe but, if you want grain-free or protein pasta, try using chickpea linguine or rotini

Canned pumpkin | Use the canned pumpkin that only lists one ingredient, pumpkin! Be sure you are not using pumpkin pie filling. You will need 1/2 cup

Mushrooms | I sliced up 4 mushrooms for this pasta but other vegetables you can add in are green peas, diced zucchini, shaved brussels sprouts, or chopped kale

Chicken broth | You will need 1 3/4 cup of chicken or bone broth for this pasta, which the spaghetti cooks in instead of water. This adds flavour and protein. If using low or no sodium broth, adjust the added salt in the recipe

Parmesan cheese | You will need 3/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Pecorino is also nice, which tastes more sharp and gives this pasta a flavour punch. You can also blend both cheeses

Spices | Red pepper flakes, sea salt (if your broth is low or sodium-free), a pinch of nutmeg, and parsley are what I garnished this pasta with. They are optional, so adjust to your taste. Another herb that pairs nicely with this recipe is sage

How to make it

  1. Wam up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or deep pan (that inlcudes a lid) and sautee the sliced mushrooms
  2. As the mushrooms become tender, add the dry pasta, salt, and chicken broth to the pan. Put the lid on and increase the heat to high. Bring the broth to a boil and cook for 6 minutes. If you are using chickpea or another type of pasta, you might have to adjust the cooking time. You want the pasta cooked al dente, so check it every couple of minutes and give it a stir so it doesn’t stick together
  3. When the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pumpkin puree, nutmeg, and parmesan cheese. Add a splash more of chicken broth, if needed to thin the pasta
  4. Garnish with red pepper flakes and parsley, then divide into serving bowls

More healthy recipes using canned pumpkin

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin pasta recipe using canned pumpkin | one pot meals
skillet spaghetti with canned pumpkin sauce
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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta (One Pot, 15 Minutes)

This creamy Pumpkin Pasta is a healthier twist on a basic spaghetti recipe, made in one pot in just 20 minutes. It is rich in fibre, boosted with protein, and has that cozy Fall flavour.
Course Menopause Mains
Cuisine American
Keyword one pot dinners, pasta, pumpkin, quick meals
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 267kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 mushrooms sliced
  • 4 oz dry spaghetti
  • 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp salt (omit if broth contains sodium)
  • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • pinch nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • parsley garnish

Instructions

  • Wam up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or deep pan (that inlcudes a lid) and sautee the sliced mushrooms
  • As the mushrooms become tender, add the dry pasta, salt, and chicken broth to the pan. Put the lid on and increase the heat to high. Bring the broth to a boil and cook for 6 minutes. If you are using chickpea or another type of pasta, you might have to adjust the cooking time. You want the pasta cooked al dente, so check it every couple of minutes and give it a stir so it doesn’t stick together
  • When the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pumpkin puree, nutmeg, and parmesan cheese. Add a splash more of chicken broth, if needed to thin the pasta
  • Garnish with red pepper flakes and parsley, then divide into serving bowls

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1007mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4967IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg

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Hello! I'm Jen Casey, your Holistic Nutritionist specializing in healthy recipes for menopause. I use food as medicine to make this life stage feel like a walk in the park. I'm glad you're here on this journey with me.