By Jan D’Atri
Your first reaction to this combination may be similar to mine. “What? That sounds crazy!” But once your kitchen is filled with the aroma of simmering garlic and wine, and then the combination of pumpkin, sage and spicy sausage, you’re going to realize that pasta with sausage and pumpkin sauce is a home run!
The recipe was made popular by PBS star and cookbook author Nick Stellino, whose authentic Italian cuisine has been featured on numerous television shows for decades. This dish is taken from Nick’s Sicilian roots and is the perfect meal for fall! We have plenty of choices for food and drink using pumpkin and pumpkin spices, from pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin cookies, cakes and pies.
But if you love pasta, this pumpkin sauce brings a whole new flavor profile to your plate. The subtle flavor of the sauce combined with a spicy sausage is unbeatable! This is the dish that made me a pumpkin pasta convert, and I hope it does the same for you.
Pasta with Italian sausage and pumpkin sauce
Ingredients:
– 4 tablespoons olive oil
– 1-pound Italian hot sausage, casings removed
– 1 cup chopped onion
– 10 garlic cloves, sliced thick
– 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
– 1-1/4 cup white wine
– 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
– 1-1/4 cup pumpkin puree
– 2 cups chicken stock
– 1 pound of pasta (penne, bow tie)
– 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions:
In a large skillet, cook 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the sausage and break up into small pieces. Cook sausage until it browns, about 3 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of the oil from the sausage in the skillet. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic and chopped sage.
