This pumpkin feta pasta is the ultimate fall-inspired comfort dish creamy, savory, lightly sweet, and bursting with seasonal flavor. Whether you love roast pumpkin feta pasta, roasted butternut squash feta pasta, or want an easy one pot autumn dinner, this recipe gives you silky sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and warm cozy spices in under 30 minutes. It’s one of the best autumn meals comfort foods and doubles as an easy quick winter dinner thanks to its rich texture and nourishing ingredients. Ideal for pasta lovers, fall veggie pasta fans, and anyone searching for simple home recipes that feel gourmet.

table of contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients List

For the Pasta

• 10 oz (280 g) pasta of choice (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
• 2 cups roasted pumpkin or butternut squash (cubed)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (+ extra for topping)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp thyme or sage
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley
• Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest

For Optional Baked Version (Baked Pumpkin Pasta)

• ½ cup mozzarella
• ¼ cup Parmesan

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large pot
• Skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Baking dish (optional for baked version)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
   • Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
2. Sauté aromatics
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
   • Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. 🧄
3. Add pumpkin + spices
   • Add roasted pumpkin or butternut squash.
   • Stir in smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Create the creamy sauce
   • Pour in broth and cream.
   • Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
   • Add feta and stir until melted into a creamy sauce.
5. Blend (optional but recommended)
   • For a silky sauce, blend with an immersion blender.
   • For chunkier texture, skip this.
6. Combine with pasta
   • Add cooked pasta to the sauce.
   • Toss until fully coated.
   • Add pasta water as needed for extra creaminess.
7. Optional baked pumpkin pasta version
   • Transfer to baking dish.
   • Top with mozzarella + Parmesan.
   • Bake 10–12 minutes at 400°F until bubbly and golden.
8. Finish + garnish
   • Add crumbled feta, parsley, and optional chili flakes or lemon zest.

Pro Tips

1. Pumpkin swap:
   Use roasted butternut squash for deeper sweetness.
2. Make it vegan:
   Use coconut cream + dairy-free feta.
3. Add protein:
   Chickpeas, chicken, or white beans pair well.
4. Storage:
   Keeps 4 days in the fridge; reheats beautifully.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 plate	420	18g	35g	22g	4g	6g

Conclusion

This pumpkin feta pasta is everything you want in a cozy seasonal meal creamy, comforting, nutritious, and full of fall flavor. Whether you love pumpkin and pasta recipes, autumn comfort dishes, or simple home recipes that look and taste gourmet, this one always delivers. Perfect for chilly nights, easy weeknight dinners, or a quick winter comfort meal.

FAQs