Pumpkin, diced
Olive oil
Ground nutmeg
Lemon, zested & juiced
Garlic, finely chopped
Dried rigatoni
Thickened cream
Taleggio, diced
Grated parmesan
Sage, chopped
Sage leaves
Butter
Toasted pine nuts
500g
2 tbsp
¼ tsp
½
1 Clove
400g
190ml
160g
50g
2 tbsp
For garnish
60g
2 tbsp
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees, toss in roasting pan pumpkin, lemon zest, olive oil and nutmeg and roast until it starts to brown and soften on the outside (around 15 minutes).
- While the pumpkins in the oven, cook the pasta in boiling water until just before al dente, strain and return to the pot.
- Add cream, garlic, taleggio (reserving around 40gm for the top), parmesan and chopped sage to the pasta, season with salt and pepper.
- Mix it and then place into a 2-litre baking dish scatter with remaining taleggio and parmesan and bake until golden brown (20-25 minutes).
- Melt butter in saucepan until light brown, add lemon juice, sage and pine nuts then pour over hot pasta bake.
How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Pasta Bake Sauce
The depth of flavour in the taleggio cheese sets this pumpkin pasta bake apart from other creamy pasta bakes. Taleggio, a northern Italian washed-rind cheese, is made from cow’s milk and aged to a soft, yielding texture that melts into the sauce. With a mild and buttery tang, Taleggio cheese is the star ingredient that gives it an authentic taste.
Roast the Kent pumpkin until it’s caramelised and golden brown before adding the sauce. The roasting technique is superior to other methods because it concentrates the pumpkin’s natural sweetness and flavour. The contrast of the sweet, soft and golden pumpkin against the tanginess of the cheese delivers its signature flavour.
Just before serving, add an Italian classic touch in the form of melted brown butter, sage and pine nuts for fragrance and a pleasant crunch in every bite. Find authentic taleggio at LaManna’s deli counter in Melbourne, among a cheese selection that rivals a deli in Italy.
Tips for Serving Pumpkin Taleggio Pasta Bake
The pumpkin pasta bake is generous and filling, so a little goes a long way! Here are some expert tips on how to make and serve it:
- Rest the bake before cutting to allow the sauce to settle and hold its shape.
- Pair with simpler sides like a crisp, green salad tossed through a bright and sharp lemon juice dressing to cut through the rich taste of the pasta bake. Serve warm ciabatta to mop up any leftover sauce.
- Serve with dry Pinot Grigio and its clean, citrus flavours to complement the richness of the dish.
- Perfect as a make-it-ahead dish. This easy pasta bake recipe can be fully assembled the day before with sauce, pasta, and cheese covered and refrigerated, then baked fresh when needed. It’s ideal for entertaining or a fuss-free midweek dinner.
Love the combination of pumpkin, sage and brown butter and want more recipes? Make our gnocchi, pumpkin, burnt butter and sage recipe next. Or browse seasonal Italian recipes, including other pasta bake recipes on our website and authentic Italian ingredients in LaManna’s aisles.
FAQs
What Is Taleggio Cheese?
Taleggio cheese is an aged, washed-rind, full-fat cow’s milk cheese from northern Italy. It has a soft, creamy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavour that melts with heat, making it one of the finest cheeses for a pasta bake. It’s available from LaManna’s deli counter, and is a product central to our Italian heritage.
What Pasta Shape Is Best For A Pasta Bake?
Short, ridged pasta shapes such as rigatoni, penne, rigate, or cavatappi absorb the rich sauce and keep their structure when baked in the oven. Avoid thin or delicate pasta like spaghetti, as it may overcook and turn mushy before the taleggio cheese has bubbled and browned.
Can I Make This Pumpkin Pasta Bake Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can. It’s one of the things that makes this pasta bake recipe so easy. Assemble the dish completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready, bake straight from the fridge, adding 10–15 minutes to the cooking time. Prepare the brown butter, sage, and pine nut finish just before serving.
Can I Buy The Ingredients For Pumpkin Taleggio Pasta Bake From Lamanna?
Everything you need for a delicious and authentic pumpkin pasta bake is at LaManna. Pick up a Kent pumpkin and fresh herbs from the Produce section, Taleggio and aged parmesan from the Deli counter, and pasta and pantry staples from Grocery. It’s all under one roof, which makes it even easier to get it on the dinner table.
