Dinner

One Pot Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

Byluca Carter December 13, 2025December 13, 2025

Introduction

This One Pot Pumpkin Pasta is a cozy, nutritious, and delicious dinner perfect for fall evenings. Whole wheat pasta, chicken sausage, and spinach are enveloped in a creamy, cheesy pumpkin sauce that both kids and adults will love. Easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s a wholesome meal all in one pot.

A close-up of a pasta dish served on a white plate, showing about three layers: the base layer is creamy yellow-orange sauce generously coating the penne pasta, the middle layer contains bright green spinach leaves mixed throughout, and the top layer is sprinkled with chopped toasted nuts adding texture. The pasta looks soft and creamy with some mushroom slices visible mixed in. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a glass of light yellow drink nearby and some greens blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced

1 (12 oz) package fully cooked chicken apple sausage, sliced
¼ cup dry white wine (or substitute with more chicken broth)

3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
¾ cup skim milk or milk/cream of choice

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 oz) box whole wheat penne or pasta of choice
1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cayenne
1 (5 oz) bag spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup freshly shredded white cheddar cheese (about 1/2 an 8 oz block)

¼ cup shredded parmesan
Roasted, salted pecans, chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large stockpot over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 2: Add the diced onion and sliced sausage, then sauté for 5–10 minutes until the onion is tender and the sausage is browned.
Step 3: Whisk in the white wine, chicken broth, milk, and pumpkin puree until the mixture is smooth.
Step 4: Stir in the penne, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

Step 5: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Once simmering, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is al dente. Add more broth if needed for consistency.
Step 7: Remove from the heat, then stir in the chopped spinach, shredded white cheddar, and parmesan until the cheese melts completely.

Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped pecans if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this dish vegetarian (omit sausage or replace with plant-based sausage).
If the pasta isn’t quite done but the sauce is too thick, slowly add more broth or water and cook until tender.

Add a pinch more cayenne for extra warmth or swap in smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
Fresh herbs like sage or thyme add a lovely autumnal flavor if stirred in at the end.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating; the sauce may thicken, so stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up.

How to Serve

The image shows a serving of penne pasta mixed with a creamy orange sauce on a white plate. The pasta is mixed with green spinach leaves and sliced round pieces of sausage, adding color and texture to the dish. The top is sprinkled with small brown chopped nuts, giving a crunchy look. The creamy sauce coats the penne smoothly and richly. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a glass of pale yellow white wine and another plate with the same pasta dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute the whole wheat penne with any pasta shape you like. Just adjust the cooking time as needed since different pastas vary in how quickly they cook.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Definitely! The creamy pumpkin sauce and mild spices make it appealing to kids, especially when combined with the savory chicken sausage and cheese. Adjust the cayenne pepper if you prefer a milder dish.

luca Carter