Description
Craving cozy comfort food with a seasonal twist? This Cheesy Pasta Bake with Pumpkin-Tomato Sauce is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for fall dinners, busy weeknights, or vegetarian gatherings. It features al dente pasta smothered in a creamy pumpkin-tomato sauce, layered with bubbling cheeses and topped with toasted walnuts. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, easy recipes, or healthy comfort food, this one’s packed with delicious, nourishing ingredients that check all the boxes. A must-try for your dinner ideas list!
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni or short pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
15 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup vegetable broth or reserved pasta water
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp dried sage or 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded fontina or sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Fresh sage leaves (optional garnish)
Extra Parmesan (for topping)
Instructions
1. Boil pasta in salted water until just under al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan, add onions and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add pumpkin puree, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Season with herbs, salt, pepper, and spices. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, mix pasta with sauce and half the shredded cheeses.
5. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses, walnuts, and optional sage leaves.
6. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Broil for 2–3 minutes for a golden crust.
7. Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan and sage if desired.
Notes
Always undercook the pasta slightly to avoid it turning mushy in the oven.
Toasting the walnuts adds extra depth and crunch to every bite.
Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/Seasonal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta bake, pumpkin pasta, vegetarian dinner, easy baked pasta, fall recipes