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Date Night Pumpkin Pasta

This festive autumn Date Night Pumpkin Pasta is the perfect romantic and cozy dish for a stay-at-home date night! Vegan with a gluten-free option.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 Lb Gluten-Free or Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Sautéed Elements

  • 4 Tbs Olive Oil
  • 1/2 White Onion chopped
  • 6 Cloves Garlic chopped
  • 1 Tsp Paprika
  • 2 Tsp Dried Basil
  • 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 1/2 15-oz Cans Pumpkin Purée
  • 1 15-oz Can Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
  • 1/3 Cup Water

For the Blender

  • 1 1/2 - 2 Tsp Salt to taste
  • 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil

Possible Toppings

  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Arugula

Instructions
 

  • To start, cook your pasta in salted water according to the package instructions (al dente). When done, drain pasta and set aside.
  • In a large pot, bring the olive oil to medium heat. Add in the chopped onion, and sauté until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Then, add in the chopped garlic and sauté for another minute.
  • Add in the spices, and stir until garlic and onions are evenly coated.
  • Then, add in the pumpkin purée, tomatoes, and water, and simmer for about 5 minutes. When done, let cool slightly.
  • Once the pumpkin sauce is slightly cooled, add it into the blender with the other blender ingredients, blending until everything is smooth and creamy. Taste, and adjust seasonings if desired.
  • Add the sauce back to the pot and toss with the pasta until all of the pasta is evenly coated.
  • Serve pasta with any toppings you like - ideas can include pumpkin seeds, red pepper flakes, or arugula.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • No need to finely mince the garlic here - it will be blended up in the end! 
  • For this recipe I used gluten-free brown rice spaghetti, but any other variety will do. Just be sure to not overcook the pasta!
  • To make a vegetarian version of this dish, replace the olive oil in the sauté with butter and top with vegetarian parmesan at the end.
  • This recipe will easily serve 2 with leftovers.