Description
Silky cajun pumpkin alfredo pasta blends spicy Southern charm with velvety Italian comfort. Hearty autumn flavors dance through each forkful, inviting you to savor a culinary adventure that bridges regional cuisines with delightful warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite shape)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (optional, to adjust sauce consistency)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional toppings: grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage
Instructions
- Fill a capacious pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, adhering to package guidelines.
- Extract and preserve a portion of starchy cooking liquid, then carefully drain pasta and set aside.
- Warm a generous skillet over medium flame, melt butter until it shimmers and releases a nutty aroma. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to bloom and release its pungent essence.
- Cascade pumpkin puree into the skillet, followed by velvety heavy cream. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, whisking continuously to create a harmonious blend.
- Simmer the sauce, stirring attentively, until it transforms into a luxurious, smooth consistency with a vibrant orange hue and rich texture.
- Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts seamlessly into the sauce. Should the mixture appear too dense, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated with the creamy Cajun-spiced mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Plate the pasta in warm serving vessels, adorning with freshly chopped parsley or basil. For a more substantial meal, consider topping with grilled chicken or succulent shrimp.
Notes
- Choose high-quality Cajun seasoning for robust, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Adjust spice levels by using more or less Cajun seasoning depending on personal heat tolerance.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Roast fresh pumpkin instead of using canned puree for deeper, more complex seasonal taste if time permits.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg