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    Home » Type » Main Courses » Pasta and Noodles

    Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin-Sage Sauce, Spinach, and Chicken

    Published: Oct 9, 2009 · Modified: Apr 22, 2022 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    all-through-the-year-cheer-fall2

    I got the inspiration for this recipe from a 30 Minute Meal show (you know, the cooking show with Rachael Ray?) a few years back (when I used to regularly watch the show).  Although I didn’t make it at the time, this recipe looked good to me then and stuck in my mind, just waiting for the perfect time to be made.  I made a few changes to healthy it up a little (by using puréed milk and cottage cheese instead of cream and chicken breast instead of sausage) and round it out into a more balanced meal (by adding baby spinach), and it was wonderful!  I only wondered why I waited so long to make it in the first place.

    img_4748-small2 

    Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin-Sage Sauce, Spinach, and Chicken (Adopted from Rachael Ray’s recipe for Pasta with Pumpkin and Sausage)

     

    (Yield:  About 6 servings)

     

    ¾ to 1 pound whole grain pasta

    ¾ to 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

    1 TB flour

    2 TB olive oil

    1 medium-large onion, diced

    3 cloves garlic, minced

    1 ½ c chicken stock

    1 bay leaf

    ¾ teaspoon ground sage

    ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or allspice

    Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

    1 c unsweetened pumpkin puree

    ¼ c low-fat cottage cheese pureed with ¼ c milk (or you could use ½ c heavy cream)

    3 c baby spinach

    Salt and pepper

    Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

     

    Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions.  In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Sprinkle the flour and a little salt and pepper on the chicken to coat it, then add the chicken to the pan.  Cook the chicken 5-8 minutes, until it’s browned and cooked through.  Remove the chicken from the pan. 

     

    To the same pan, add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté another 1-2 minutes.  Add the chicken stock, bay leaf, sage, nutmeg/allspice, red pepper flakes (if using), and pumpkin puree.  Simmer for about 10 minutes, then add the cottage cheese puree (or cream, if using).  Add the chicken back to the pan and let the sauce simmer (don’t let it boil) until it reaches your desired consistency.  Add the baby spinach and cook until just wilted (about 3 minutes). 

     

    Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.  Serve the pasta garnished with fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top.

     

     

    The Light Dusting of Flour Helps the Chicken Breast Brown Up
    The Light Dusting of Flour Helps the Chicken Breast Brown Up

     

    img_4719-small1img_4723-smallimg_4725-small

    img_4746-small

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rosa says

      October 12, 2009 at 2:32 pm

      That is a delicious looking pasta dish! Pumpkin is so versatile!

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    2. sophia says

      October 10, 2009 at 11:42 pm

      That...looks...freaking...AMAZING!!!

      Reply
    3. zerrin says

      October 10, 2009 at 8:51 pm

      I could never think of adding unsweetened pumpkin puree to pasta. It looks and sounds so amazing! Perfect lunch!

      Reply
    4. Barbara says

      October 10, 2009 at 11:02 am

      I don't watch Rachel Ray at all so was glad to see this recipe. I love the idea of the pumpkin sage sauce. It really looks good!

      Reply
    5. theUngourmet says

      October 10, 2009 at 9:52 am

      This looks so delicious. I like the healthy changes that you made. I'll have to pick up some pumpkin. Rachel Ray does have a lot of fun and easy recipes on that show. I don't watch it much anymore either for some reason.

      Reply
    6. Angela@spinachtiger says

      October 10, 2009 at 9:43 am

      I love this recipe. really truly love it.

      Reply
    7. peachkins says

      October 10, 2009 at 12:39 am

      Oh I love the look of this pasta dish.

      Reply
    8. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says

      October 09, 2009 at 9:11 pm

      A pumpkin sage sauce sounds incredible with pasta!

      Reply
    9. Anh says

      October 09, 2009 at 6:12 pm

      Yum!! I have pumpkin around and run out of idea!

      Reply
    10. Nutmeg Nanny says

      October 09, 2009 at 5:57 pm

      Wow I like the idea of milk and cottage cheese instead of cream. I have never heard of that before. I also love that you paired the pasta with chicken. I think chicken sounds better than sausage...:) If only we lived close you could bring me bowl! :)

      Reply
    11. Selba says

      October 09, 2009 at 5:19 pm

      It looks so delicious... so good to know the idea of using pumpkin puree... :)

      Reply
    12. Krista says

      October 09, 2009 at 4:11 pm

      Another great recipe! I like how you subbed in chicken for the sausage. Awesome switch up!

      Reply
    13. Jen says

      October 09, 2009 at 2:21 pm

      Perfect fall pasta dish! I love your healthful changes. Thank you!

      Reply
    14. sarah (ghost world) says

      October 09, 2009 at 1:57 pm

      oh i have made this and LOVE it! now i want to make it again :)

      Reply
    15. Dawn says

      October 09, 2009 at 10:34 am

      OMG this looks AAAAMAZING! Definitely something I'm going to have to try--it seriously looks so good!!!

      Reply
    16. Chiara @ Wandering Cook says

      October 09, 2009 at 9:59 am

      I'm not a fan of chicken in pasta dishes -it's the Italian in me I guess- but I love pumpkin sage sauce. Thanks for making me think about it. Maybe I'll make it tonight!

      Reply
    17. nora@ffr says

      October 09, 2009 at 8:59 am

      oh my!! this is just perfect for lunch! i love the addition of unsweetened pumpkin puree! mouth watering! yummm!

      Reply
    18. Heavenly Housewife says

      October 09, 2009 at 10:09 am

      How delicious! I could so dive into a bowl of this right now!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Faith!

    I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind An Edible Mosaic. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had. Welcome to An Edible Mosaic!

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