Saturday, October 18, 2014

Heavenly (seriously I heard angels singing) Cheesy Pumpkin Noodles

I cannot quit the squash family, this time of year.  It is a deep seeded love, 
and I am super excited to share this quick and super tasty recipe with you.

What you need:
1- 15oz. can of pumpkin puree (I prefer Trader Joe's brand)
1- 8oz tub of whipped cream cheese
2 cups whole milk
1 & 1/2 bags of 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
5 T. butter
1 large onion, sliced thin
1 & 1/2 cups finely grated parmesan cheese
1 T. pure maple syrup
8 sage leaves
hearty pinch of grated nutmeg
salt & pepper

Begin melting the butter in a saute pan.  Add the thinly 
sliced onions, salt & pepper.Cook over medium heat.
The butter will be bubbly and slowly start to brown.

 After the onions start to tenderize and the butter starts to brown, toss in 
the sage (I stack the sage and slice twice down the length of the leaves, then
chop across).  Cook an additional few minutes, while stirring the sage around.  

 Brown butter and onion perfection.  This will smell like heaven, 
infused with fresh sage!

 Toss the prepared spaghetti noodles in the onions and brown butter
 (the spaghetti is cooked to al dente in a big pot of boiling salted water),
coating each noodle with the infused butter.

Set the noodles aside on a platter, while you whip up the sauce in
the saute pan 

In the noodle free saute pan, add the milk, cream cheese, pumpkin,
maple syrup and fresh grated nutmeg.  Combine, then salt and pepper 
to taste. Like with any milk base sauce, I always think I end up 
needing more salt and pepper than I originally thought, so taste as you 
go and continue seasoning.  

After the milk, cream cheese and pumpkin are combined, stir
in the grated parmesan cheese. Taste it.  Is it seasoned appropriately?

The sauce will be thick and absolutely mouth watering!  If it is too 
thick for your liking, thin out with a tiny bit of milk.

 I simply garnished with some maple spiced pecans I had in the
kitchen. They are so good and were the perfect tiny crunch.
Do click above to see how absolutely simple they are to whip up.

I think some other wonderful additions to this heavenly pasta 
would be:
sauteed portobello mushrooms, chicken, bacon...mmmm!

Report back with the goodies you throw in. 
 Enjoy!!










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