Description
This Cheesy Pasta Bake with Pumpkin-Tomato Sauce is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy pumpkin, tangy tomato, and melty cheese in a hearty, satisfying pasta dish. Perfect for cozy dinners, easy weeknight meals, or meal prepping. This quick dinner idea fits beautifully into fall food ideas, healthy comfort meals, and cheesy easy recipes for the whole family. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas or something to warm up your weekend, this one-pan dish hits all the right notes.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup tomato sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup crushed walnuts
½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in pumpkin puree and tomato sauce. Add salt, pepper, and chopped sage. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in heavy cream or milk until well combined.
5. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta, sprinkle half of the cheeses, repeat the layers.
7. Top with crushed walnuts and extra sage leaves.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and flavor.
Lightly toast the walnuts for more depth and crunch.
Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente holds up better during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta bake, pumpkin pasta, easy dinner recipe, fall recipe, comfort food