Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp dried sage or thyme
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh sage leaves
- Extra Parmesan
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil or butter until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and cook it for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Pumpkin and Cream: Stir in the pumpkin purée, heavy cream (or half-and-half), salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and dried sage or thyme into the skillet. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Simmer Sauce: Allow the pumpkin sauce to simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until it becomes smooth, creamy, and heated through, which helps meld the flavors together properly.
- Toss Tortellini in Sauce: Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce and gently toss to coat each piece thoroughly in the creamy mixture.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely, resulting in a rich, creamy sauce that clings beautifully to the tortellini.
- Serve: Serve the pumpkin tortellini immediately. Garnish with fresh sage leaves, extra Parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- If the pumpkin sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the cream with coconut milk and omit the Parmesan cheese.
- This dish pairs well with sautéed spinach or crispy pancetta stirred into the sauce for extra texture and flavor.
- Best enjoyed fresh but leftover tortellini reheats well if warmed gently with a bit of additional cream to refresh the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
