Pumpkin Vodka Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs

Name: Pumpkin Vodka Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 1 pound pasta; 1 to 1 ½ cups reserved pasta water; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 shallot; 4 garlic cloves; kosher salt and pepper; 4 tablespoons tomato paste; ¾ cup pumpkin puree; 3 tablespoons vodka; ⅔ cup heavy cream; ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese; ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 6-8 fresh sage leaves; ½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

User Reviews

5.0

45 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings
4 people
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Pumpkin Vodka Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs

Kian Mendoza

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This pumpkin vodka pasta is a serious hug in a bowl. A silky smooth and rich sauce coats every noodle, then is topped with crispy sage, parmesan cheese and spicy breadcrumbs. Absolute heaven of a dinner!

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Ingredients

Servings

1 pound pasta, (I like a short cut noodle here)
1 to 1 ½ cups reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
kosher salt and pepper
4 tablespoons tomato paste
¾ cup pumpkin puree
3 tablespoons vodka, (I like Tito’s)
⅔ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

crispy sage & spicy breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6-8 fresh sage leaves
½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

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Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, cook the pasta according to the directions. Be sure to reserve 1 ½ to 2 cups of pasta water for the sauce.
While the water is boiling, heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the shallots and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions soften. Add in the tomato paste and stir, cooking for 5 minutes. The color will darken - this is where the flavor is. Stir in the pumpkin puree. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until combined.
Stream in the vodka and stir, scraping the brown bits and flavor from the bottom. Stir in ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir in more pasta water if the mixture is super thick. Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts. Add in the nutmeg.
Taste and season the sauce with more salt and pepper if needed.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well. If needed, you can stream in more of the pasta water until it’s creamy and silky. Top with the crispy sage, spicy bread crumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan.
Serve immediately.

crispy sage & spicy breadcrumbs

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until they are crispy, about 1 minute. Remove and place them on a paper towel to dry.
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Once it’s sizzling and even browning a bit, stir in the breadcrumbs and pepper flakes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until golden and toasty, Throw on top of the pasta!