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Pumpkin, Bacon & Caramelized Onion Pasta

A creamy fall pasta featuring pumpkin puree, crispy bacon, and sweet caramelized onions tossed with Parmesan and your favorite pasta shape.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta:
  • 12 oz pasta rigatoni, penne, or fettuccine work best
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon diced
  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Optional Add-ins:
  • Handful of spinach or kale for a green touch
  • Extra crispy fried sage leaves on top
  • A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for crunch

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1 cup water.
  2. Crisp bacon, set aside, leave some fat in skillet.
  3. Caramelize onions slowly until golden, about 20 minutes.
  4. Add garlic, pumpkin puree, cream, Parmesan, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth.
  5. Toss pasta with sauce, bacon, and reserved pasta water as needed.
  6. Garnish with parsley, more bacon, and Parmesan. Serve hot.