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.
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.
Rosa says
That is a delicious looking pasta dish! Pumpkin is so versatile!
Cheers,
Rosa
sophia says
That...looks...freaking...AMAZING!!!
zerrin says
I could never think of adding unsweetened pumpkin puree to pasta. It looks and sounds so amazing! Perfect lunch!
Barbara says
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!
theUngourmet says
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.
Angela@spinachtiger says
I love this recipe. really truly love it.
peachkins says
Oh I love the look of this pasta dish.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
A pumpkin sage sauce sounds incredible with pasta!
Anh says
Yum!! I have pumpkin around and run out of idea!
Nutmeg Nanny says
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! :)
Selba says
It looks so delicious... so good to know the idea of using pumpkin puree... :)
Krista says
Another great recipe! I like how you subbed in chicken for the sausage. Awesome switch up!
Jen says
Perfect fall pasta dish! I love your healthful changes. Thank you!
sarah (ghost world) says
oh i have made this and LOVE it! now i want to make it again :)
Dawn says
OMG this looks AAAAMAZING! Definitely something I'm going to have to try--it seriously looks so good!!!
Chiara @ Wandering Cook says
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!
nora@ffr says
oh my!! this is just perfect for lunch! i love the addition of unsweetened pumpkin puree! mouth watering! yummm!
Heavenly Housewife says
How delicious! I could so dive into a bowl of this right now!