Description
Celebrate spooky vibes with sunny flavors! This Summerween Pumpkin Pasta Bake combines creamy pumpkin sauce, herbs, and melty cheese for a comforting yet light seasonal dinner that bridges Halloween and summer in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk (or plant-based)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté veggies: In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add zucchini and bell pepper; cook until tender. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Make sauce: Stir in pumpkin puree, yogurt, milk, Parmesan, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer until heated through.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta into the sauce. Mix well, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Bake: Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with herbs and serve warm for a spooky-summer delight!
Notes
For a spooky twist, top with black olive “spiders” or jack-o’-lantern shaped bell pepper slices before baking. Serve with a crisp summer salad or iced mocktail!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Seasonal
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: summerween pumpkin, pumpkin pasta bake, seasonal pasta, spooky summer recipe, pumpkin dinner