This Pumpkin Pasta with Jarred Sauce is your new fall favorite—fast, comforting, and full of seasonal flavor with almost no effort. All you need is your favorite jarred pasta sauce and a can of pumpkin puree to whip up a velvety, cozy dinner in under 20 minutes.
I first made this on a chilly October evening when I needed something warm and hearty—but didn’t have time to cook from scratch. I stirred pumpkin into my go-to jar of Alfredo, tossed it with penne, and topped it with Parmesan. It was creamy, savory, and just a touch sweet from the pumpkin—total comfort food.
You can use Alfredo, tomato, or vodka sauce as the base—each brings out different sides of the pumpkin’s earthy richness. Add sautéed garlic, fresh sage, or spinach to take it up a notch, or keep it basic for a super-fast meal.
Whether you’re feeding a family or curling up with a bowl yourself, this pumpkin pasta is a no-fuss fall winner.
PrintPumpkin Pasta with Jarred Sauce – Cozy, Creamy & Weeknight-Ready
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy pumpkin pasta made with a shortcut jarred sauce—ready in 15 minutes and perfect for cozy fall dinners.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
1 cup jarred Alfredo or tomato sauce
¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan
Optional: sage, spinach, or red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil or butter and sauté garlic (if using).
3. Add jarred sauce and pumpkin. Stir until smooth.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
5. Simmer 3–5 minutes, then stir in Parmesan.
6. Add reserved pasta water for creamier sauce.
7. Toss in cooked pasta and any optional veggies.
8. Serve with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
Pumpkin pairs well with spicy red pepper or herby sage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: pumpkin pasta with jarred sauce, fall pasta, easy pumpkin Alfredo