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    Home » Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Pici Pasta & Crispy Mushrooms

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Pici Pasta & Crispy Mushrooms

    Published: Nov 8, 2019 · Modified: Apr 15, 2021 by Carlos Leo · 18 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This simple creamy pumpkin pasta sauce is a delicious, comforting Fall recipe lusciously coating the traditional Tuscany spaghetti Pici pasta flavored with shallots and garlic sautéed in honey brown butter. This is the most straightforward pumpkin pasta sauce recipe that you will ever make. For a perfect quick weeknight dinner, add mascarpone cheese, pumpkin puree and top with oven-crispy oyster mushrooms or with crumble crispy pancetta, and at the end season with smoked paprika sea salt.

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

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    Hello my friends. I can’t believe it’s November already. Like always, I’m behind on my recipe schedule and really need to speed up my writing because I still have two more pumpkin recipes to release before I start to cook and photograph the Thanksgiving recipes and holidays sweets. The end of the year is quite busy in my full-time job because it’s the high season for hotels in the Caribbean. But this October was super crazy busy because two of the four weeks I was also traveling to The Bahamas and Grand Cayman.

    Two hands holding a bowl with pasta coated in creamy pumpkin pasta sauce and topped with crispy oyster mushrooms. two more plates on the far left of the table. Spoonabilities.com

    For our next pumpkin recipe this season, I’m bringing you Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Pici Pasta & Crispy Mushrooms. This pasta sauce recipe is part of our monthly collaboration with Flora Fine Foods, and for this month’s recipe, I’m using their organic spaghetti pici pasta imported from Tuscany. As always, I’m very excited to work with Flora’s incredible and delicious products. With this post, we celebrate our first year anniversary of this fantastic partnership. Throughout this past year, they won a new customer with me because if I’m looking for a product at the supermarket, and I see that they carry what I’m looking for, I immediate grab their product. ?.

    Flora Fine Foods Organic spaghetti Pici pasta in the package and another one outside the package. Spoonabilities.com

    What is Spaghetti Pici Pasta

    Pici pasta is a traditional pasta originating in the Province of Siena, Tuscany. The dough for pici is typically made just with semolina flour and water, but you could find some family recipes in the region that also add eggs. The dough is rolled out and then hand-rolled into long strings. It’s much easier to make at home, and you don’t need special equipment. Pici is like spaghetti but thicker. Pici pasta is excellent with creamy, thick sauces like pumpkin pasta sauce, tomato sauce, ragù bolognese, but is also perfect with cacio e pepe sauce. The texture of this pasta is a bit chewy and must be cooked a bit al dente.

    The name pici is a shortened word stemming from the Italian word “appicciare,” or “to stick.” This Tuscany pasta is also known as pinci. To see how pici pasta is made, watch this video from the Pasta Grannies:

    What is the difference between Pici and Bucatini

    The main difference is that bucatini has a hollow center, and pici doesn’t. Also bucatini cooking time is nine minutes, and pici is around 21-24 minutes. Because the pici pasta takes between 21-24 minutes, I recommend putting the pot on the stove with water before you start to prepare and cook the other ingredients. Note: For this recipe, after the pasta is done cooking, it is very important to reserve 1 or 2 cups of pasta water for the pumpkin pasta sauce.

    Cooked pici pasta in a white colander on a wooden surface. Spoonabilities.com

    Toppings for your Pici with Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    For this pasta, I made two toppings: crispy oyster mushrooms and crumbled crispy pancetta. But you don’t have to make both or use them at the same time. When I was developing this recipe, I was thinking about Geoffrey because although he will eat mushrooms, he is not at all excited when he sees them on his plate. Before I made the pumpkin pasta sauce, I prepared the two toppings:

    First, arrange pancetta slices in a single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a spatula. Let stand 10 minutes or until crisp. Then, change the oven setting to roast at 350°F for the mushroom.

    My hands holding a mixed Oyster mushrooms bouquet. Spoonabilities.com

    I bought two pounds of mixed oyster mushrooms, and for this quantity I prefer to use two baking trays for a better crispy result. Use a small knife and cut the mushrooms from the base/root and then tear the mushrooms with your hands and place them in the tray. Toss the oyster mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, thyme, smoked chili flakes and salt. Roast for around 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through until golden brown and crispy.

    Baking tray with mixed oyster mushroom seasoned with olive oil, garlic & thyme. Spoonabilities.com

    Making this recipe was my first time roasting mushrooms, and this is a life changer for me. The garlicky and thyme flavor of the mushrooms is absolutely AMAZING with a meaty texture and a crispy, tender bite. The experience is extraordinary. I think this is the only way that I will make mushrooms from now on.

    How to make Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    This is the most straightforward pumpkin pasta sauce recipe that you will ever make. It will take you less than five minutes to make this sauce. First, sauté the shallots with Honey Browned Butter (click the link to buy online from our pantry) until they become soft and translucent - around two minutes or less. Then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add pumpkin puree, mascarpone cheese and pasta water. Cook mixture until the mascarpone cheese is melted and the sauce is heated completely. Add more pasta water if you desire a looser consistency. For the final step, add the parmesan cheese and combine. Taste to adjust the salt if needed. I add a teaspoon or so of our smoked paprika sea salt, and I have to tell you this last touch really gives the pasta such a nice smoky taste. Serve immediately and add more parmesan cheese, the crispy oyster mushrooms, and/or the crispy crumble pancetta.

    Pasta mixed with pumpkin pasta sauce with Parmesan cheese in a blue cast iron pan. Spoonabilities.com

    Have you made brown butter?

    Have you made brown butter at home? I used to make it myself. But since we found the shelf-stable brown butters from Black & Bolyard, I will never do it again. The nutty toasted brown butter is made with American Grassfed butter, and the honey version is also made with Savannah Bee Company wildeflower honey. Black & Bolyard’s brown butters add richness to both your savory and sweet recipes. This season I have many recipes using the different flavors of the brown butter. For next week's recipe using the original brown butter, I made the Dominican Arepa, which is a sweet cornmeal cake with coconut milk. Stay tuned, and make sure you are part of our Tasty Happenings Foodletter community.

    Pasta bowl with pici pasta tossed with pumpkin pasta sauce and topped with crispy oyster mushrooms. Spoonabilities.com

    I truly enjoy making this pumpkin pasta sauce with Pici pasta & crispy mushrooms. So much so that I made it again today while writing this recipe post for you ?. Tell me in the comments below what you think about this recipe – with 5 stars I hope. Are you going to make it? It’s easy, so you can do it. Share this recipe with your friends, and please tag us @spoonabilities and use the hashtag #NoJarsLeftBehind.

    Want more comfort food recipes? Check out some of our Fall favorites and our TOP drink recipe on the site.

    • Pressure Cooker Short Ribs with Brown Butter Mashed Pumpkin-Cauliflower
    • Roasted Pumpkin Bisque: Healthy Fall Soup Recipe
    • Pumpkin Hummus with Garlic and Cumin
    • Chicken Scarpariello | Braised Chicken with Sausage & Peppers
    • Top Recipe: Caramel Apple Cider Vodka Punch

    Wishing you Tasty Happenings,

    Carlos Leo

    Your Recipe Concierge!

    overhead photo with two bowl with pasta and Pumpkin Pasta Sauce, and one small plate with crispy oyster mushrooms. Spoonabilities.com

     

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    Tuscany spaghetti pici pasta coated in pumpkin pasta sauce with crispy mushrooms in a round plate on top of a orange napkins

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Pici Pasta & Crispy Mushrooms


    ★★★★★

    5 from 7 reviews

    • Author: Carlos Leo
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 4-5 serving 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is a delicious comforting Fall recipe on a traditional Tuscan spaghetti Pici pasta flavored with honey brown butter, mascarpone cheese, pumpkin puree and topped with crispy oyster mushrooms or crumble pancetta, and seasoned at the end with smoked paprika sea salt. This is the most straightforward pumpkin pasta sauce recipe that you will ever make.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pack of Organic Spaghetti Toscani Pici

    Roasted Oyster Mushrooms:

    • 2 lb. mixed oyster mushrooms, torn into bite-size pieces
    • ¼ cup oil
    • ½ teaSpoon salt
    • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
    • ½ teaSpoon smoked chili flakes or red pepper flakes
    • 3 thyme sprigs

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    • 2 TableSpoons Honey Browned Butter Click to buy in our online shop
    • 2 shallots, minced
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 can pumpkin puree
    • ½ cup mascarpone cheese
    • 1 cup pasta water
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese
    • ¼ teaSpoon smoked paprika sea salt Click to buy in our online shop
    • Salt and black pepper
    • Additional toppings: crispy crumble pancetta.

    Instructions

    1. Place oven racks in bottom third and middle of oven and preheat to 350°F; Put a pot of water for your pasta on the stove to boil.
    2. Toss mushrooms, garlic, thyme, smoked chili flakes or red pepper flakes, ¼ cup oil, and ½ teaSpoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast on bottom rack around 25 minutes, tossing halfway through until deeply golden brown and crisped. Check the oven after 15 minutes.
    3. Cook pasta according to package. Drain, reserving 2 cups pasta water. Set aside.
    4. In a skillet add 2 TableSpoons honey brown butter. Then add the shallots and sauté until translucent. Season with a pinch of salt, and add the garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
    5. Add pumpkin puree, mascarpone cheese and 1 cup of pasta water. If you want pasta sauce that is looser, add more pasta water until it reaches the consistency that you like.
    6. Add the parmesan cheese. Mix to combine.
    7. Taste and adjust salt & pepper if needed. I use smoked paprika sea salt.
    8. Transfer cooked pici pasta to the pan and toss to combine.
    9. Serve the pasta immediately and top with the crispy mushrooms or the crispy pancetta.

    Notes

    Vitamin A32%, Vitamin C7%, Calcium18%, Iron26%, Vitamin D9%, Vitamin B126%, Vitamin E3%, Vitamin K11%

    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Sauteing
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 cups
    • Calories: 595
    • Sugar: 6.1
    • Sodium: 356.6
    • Fat: 23.4
    • Carbohydrates: 78.5
    • Fiber: 5.7
    • Protein: 19.3
    • Cholesterol: 30.9

    Keywords: Pasta, pasta sauce, pumpkin, pumpkin pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @Spoonabilities on Instagram and hashtag it #NoJarsLeftBehind

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    Table set up with two pasta bowl and decorated with pumpkin and Fall decor. Spoonabilities.comA jar of Grassfed brown butter with black sage honey in front of a pasta bowl. Spoonabilities.com

     

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Pici Pasta & Crispy Mushrooms
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    About Carlos Leo

    Carlos Leo photoAs an Aspiring Chef, Blogger and Photographer, my passion in life is food. I'm constantly researching recipes. Constant experimenting leads me to use the best parts of each, along with some of our gourmet products, to make unique flavorful experiences. Our mission at Spoonabilities is “No Jars Left Behind.”
    Read More About Us…



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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynn @ Fresh April Flours

      November 11, 2019 at 2:08 pm

      I'll be honest and say I've never tried pumpkin pasta sauce (I know, blasphemy), but this dish could change my mind!!

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:19 am

        Hi Lynn. That's okay, we won't hold it against you. But do hurry and give this recipe a try and then you won't be worried somebody will find you out. LOL.

        Reply
    2. Holly

      November 11, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      I am always looking for more pumpkin recipes and this is a creative and delicious way to enjoy pumpkin. Can't wait to try it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:20 am

        Us too Holly. We are always looking for pumpkin recipes. It's our favorite time of year. Did you search for 'pumpkin' on our site? You will find lots of them.

        Reply
    3. Ashley

      November 11, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      This looks so so so good!!! What a meal to enjoy by the fire and cold night!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:22 am

        Yes Ashley... a perfect meal to enjoy by the fire on a cold night. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Sandi

      November 11, 2019 at 6:10 pm

      This looks like an incredible sauce. I can't wait to try it out :-).

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:22 am

        Thanks Sandi. Do give it a try and let us know what you think.

        Reply
    5. Jacqueline Debono

      November 11, 2019 at 6:22 pm

      I love Tuscan pici pasta! Your sauce is so creative and beautiful. Would love to try it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:25 am

        Thanks Jacqueline! Thanks for mentioning the pici pasta. What is your all time favorite pasta at The Pasta Project?

        Reply
    6. Krissy Allori

      November 11, 2019 at 6:25 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious with bold sophisticated flavors. I'll have to make this for my next date night in with my hubby.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:27 am

        Thank you Krissy for saying "bold sophisticated flavors." That's a wonderful description. Do make this for your hubby on date night. He'll thank you for it ;)

        Reply
    7. Sue Ringsdorf

      November 11, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      An incredible sauce for that pico pasta! I've never tried that kind of pasta and am anxious to try it. I enjoyed reading your post. :)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:28 am

        Thank you so much for reading our post Sue. It was my first time having pici pasta too. Think "thick spaghetti" that is a little more dense.

        Reply
    8. Monica

      November 14, 2019 at 6:28 am

      I just love pici pasta - something about the thick, nubby strands is so cozy and warming! Especially wrapped in tasty pumpkin sauce. Perfect fall meal for sure!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:36 am

        Glad to hear you live pici pasta Monica. It is a great thick pasta just waiting to make you all cozy and warm. ;)

        Reply
    9. Laura

      November 16, 2019 at 8:16 am

      This looks so crazy good. I really need to try it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities

        November 16, 2019 at 11:43 am

        Thank you Laura. Yes, please do give this pasta sauce a try. You will love it.

        Reply

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