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Extra creamy, Quick Pumpkin Rigatoni with Candied Prosciutto and Walnuts. A wonderful bowl of pasta that we can all be excited about this season. Rigatoni pasta tossed in a nutty brown butter pumpkin sauce made with plenty of parmesan cheese. The pumpkin adds a vibrant layer of flavor and is creamy and so delicious! And the candied prosciutto and walnuts add some nice crunch. Super delicious!
It can be hard to know exactly what recipes are best to share in November. Of course, we all need fun, new, and yummy Thanksgiving recipes. But at the same time, I think we’re all looking for simple dinners to enjoy all of the other nights of this month!
I try my best to balance these needs. I also try to keep in mind that there are many of you who have Thanksgiving recipes that you make every single year. They are your tradition and you don’t stray from them. And I can totally appreciate and respect that!
Instead of sharing only Thanksgiving-focused recipes this month, I love to share simple fall dinners that we can make on any given night. This time of year is always the busiest.
My idea behind this pasta was pretty simple. I figured most of us are baking a lot with pumpkin this month. It’s kind of a November essential. With that in mind, I also figured that many of us probably have half a can of pumpkin sitting in the fridge. Maybe it’s leftover from making our pumpkin cookies and/or pumkin muffins. My guess is that you may be wondering how to use that can up.
Well, this pasta is the perfect recipe to make. You’ve already done pumpkin your baking, now it’s time to use the pumpkin in a savory way. I promise you will not be disappointed.
The details
Step 1: make the prosciutto walnut crisp
I always start with cooking the prosciutto and walnuts since these need time in the oven. Use thin, deli-cut prosciutto. Tear the prosciutto into pieces and toss with a fresh handful of chopped walnuts, fresh rosemary, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper.
I use one teaspoon of cayenne, but if that’s too spicy for you, use the cayenne to your liking. Bake this mix until the prosciutto begins to crisp and caramelize.
When everything on the pan is “candied”, pull it out of the oven and season with flaky sea salt. You’ll want to eat them all just as is! These crispy pieces are so addictive.
Step 2: make the pumpkin pasta
It’s all really quick to throw together!
Since we’re using pumpkin, I wanted to include a little sage. I just love the flavor blend of sage and pumpkin, especially with brown butter. So start out by crisping the garlic, shallots, and sage in butter. The butter will brown around the garlic and sage creating a really delicious base for your pumpkin sauce.
Next, add chili flakes, for a little extra heat. Then stir in the canned pumpkin. Cook until the mix thickens up a bit.
Now stir in a splash of dry white wine. You could also use your favorite broth or unsweetened apple cider. Let everything simmer for a few minutes. Then add the cream and parmesan and let the sauce hang out for a bit.
Step 3: boil the pasta
I love to use a rigatoni, but honestly, any cut of pasta will work. You can use what you have or what your family enjoys.
While the sauce is slowly cooking, bring the water to a boil. Cook according to the directions on the box. At this point, the sauce should be finished.
Step 4: finish
Mix the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese into the pumpkin sauce. Stir until the cheese melts.
Now you can scoop up all that yummy pasta and sauce and serve with the prosciutto walnut crisps on top. Be super generous with the prosciutto and walnuts. I think they’re what makes this pumpkin pasta the most delicious.
Oh, and I like to serve this up with a big salad on the side – yum!
Looking for other simple winter pasta dishes? Here are my favorites:
Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli
One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni
Creamy Bacon Tortellini with Charred Broccoli
Sage Brown Butter Pumpkin Pasta Alfredo
Lastly, if you make this Quick Pumpkin Rigatoni with Candied Prosciutto, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Quick Pumpkin Rigatoni with Candied Prosciutto and Walnuts
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 567 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces prosciutto, torn
- 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons chili flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or broth
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 pound dry short cut pasta, such as rigatoni
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. On the baking sheet, toss together the prosciutto, walnuts, brown sugar, cayenne, and rosemary. Arrange in an even layer. Bake for 5 minutes, toss, and bake another 5 minutes, watch closely until crispy.3. Meanwhile, make the pumpkin sauce. In a large skillet, melt together the butter, garlic, shallots, and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is browning and the garlic is turning golden, 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the pumpkin, and red pepper flakes, cook for 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the wine/broth, cook another 2 minutes, then stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper.4. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the pasta. Cook according to package directions, until al dente. Just before draining, remove a cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain.5. Toss the pasta and parmesan cheese with the pumpkin sauce. If needed, thin the sauce with the reserved pasta cooking water. Divide among plates and top with candied prosciutto and walnuts.
This recipe is great but it forgot to include when to add the cream/milk. I missed this step altogether unfortunately. The meal was still full of flavour but I was sad I missed the cream.
I have found this with some of your other recipes that an ingredient will be listed and then not in the cooking instructions.
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! Sorry you missed the cream, but it’s added in step 3:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
How would I prep this ahead of time? Could the topping and sauce be done the night before?
Hi Meryl,
Yes, that would be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Can the sauce be made ahead of time?
Hi Kerry,
Sure, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Made this last night. Quite outstanding. I don’t throw that word around.
Love to hear this, Shelley!! I appreciate you trying this dish and sharing your feedback! xT
Yummy!
Thanks Susie!!
Really good! Made it exactly as written and it turned out exactly as described & pictured. It was just the 2 of us, so we ended up with leftovers. My husband polished it off without the topping, which was actually a win as a salad topping tonight. Thanks again for keeping our dinners interesting! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Leslie,
Wonderful!! I am so glad that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for giving it a go! xx
This would really benefit from additional clarity in the sauce section. What temperature are we starting at for example. At least for me, this came out as more of a pumpkin soup than a sauce. Very disappointed, haven’t had many problems using recipes from HBH in the past, so this stands out as particularly disappointing.
Hi Kevin,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. I start at medium heat in step 3 and then it is reduced to low. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Just made this for the first time for my family and we DEVOURED it!!! Absolutely delicious! My son is a picky eater and this was the most robust flavor profile he’s loved so far! Major winner! Already passed along to a friend who is making it at a fall dinner next wk and I will keep this in the fall rotation for sure. My son already requested round 2! I Loved it!!!
Love to hear this Gina!! Thanks so much for making this dish and your review:) xT
This was amazing! Followed the recipe exactly. Your recipes never disappoint our family. Thank you
Hey Kristi,
Thanks for your comment and trying this recipe! I am so glad it turned out well for you! Have a great day:)
What sort of broth would you use instead of the wine?
Jones not Joned lol
Hey Azima,
You could use chicken or veggie broth, either would work well here:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hi, I’m wondering why my review was removed, particularly when it wasn’t even negative?
Hi there,
So sorry, I’m not sure what you are referring to, we have not removed any reviews here. If you want to post it again, feel free:) Have a great day! xx
I made it according to recipe and added some chopped chard from the garden because you know,”greens” and used half pumpkin seeds half walnuts. Really really delicious. Don’t skip or skimp on the cayenne or red pepper!
Hi Lisa,
That’s fantastic to hear! Thanks for trying this dish and your comment, love that it was enjoyed! xT
Any unused pumpkin puree freezes great.
Thanks Becky!! Great idea!
Some of us have a half a can of pumpkin open because the dog has been sick. Might try this, given the dog is much better.
I hope you love the recipe Melissa!
Looks amazing, has anyone tried this without the prosciutto? I have a number of vegetarian friends and always looking for recipes that can be both.
Thanks
Yes, this recipe is a rip off of Pinch of Yum’s and that version does not include prosciutto (and is actually simple and very delicious). I’d recommend trying that one.
Thanks Linda! You could totally just omit the prosciutto, the walnuts will be enough to give a nice texture! I hope you love this recipe! xT
This looks simple and easy! Definitely going on my list for next week’s meals! Thanks Tieghan! Your recipes always make my meals seem special, even when they are an easy fix!!
Thanks so much Lisa! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx