First Step: Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and giving a 9×9-inch baking pan a quick spray with oil spray. This sets the stage for even cooking and prevents sticking. At the same time, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, which will be ready for your pasta soon. This step ensures everything moves smoothly, adapting to how you handle oven baked pasta in your kitchen.

Second Step: Cook the Bacon and Shallot: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, sauté the chopped bacon until it turns golden, taking about 3 to 4 minutes. Once done, add the minced shallot and cook for another minute to release its flavors. This builds a flavorful base for your pumpkin pasta, and if you’re going vegetarian, you can skip the bacon and use smoked paprika here for a similar twist.

Third Step: Make the Sauce: Now, stir in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, chopped rosemary, and 3 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano cheese. Season with salt and fresh black pepper to taste, then let it all simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. This creates that creamy pasta sauce everyone loves in baked pumpkin pasta, and if the mixture thickens too much, add a bit more broth to keep it just right for different preferences.

Fourth Step: Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook your 8 oz of uncooked whole wheat or gluten-free pasta in the boiling water until it’s al dente, following the package instructions. Once drained, mix the pasta right into the pumpkin sauce. For variations in autumn pasta dishes, consider adding veggies like kale at this point to boost nutrition while keeping the recipe versatile.

Fifth Step: Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top it with the remaining 1/4 cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese and 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the mozzarella melts and the edges turn lightly browned. This step really brings out the flavors in your baked pumpkin pasta recipe with creamy sauce.

Final Step: Cool and Serve: Let the pasta cool for about 5 minutes before dividing it into 4 equal portions. This makes serving easy and helps the dish set up nicely. For a complete meal, pair it with a simple salad or bread, adapting as needed for busy parents or students. Enjoy your homemade baked pumpkin pasta, full of autumn flavors that make it a hit for food enthusiasts.