Pumpkin pasta with sage and brown butter ricotta

Lilly Higgins: This seasonal gourd makes for a deliciously creamy pasta sauce

Pumpkin pasta with Sage & brown butter ricotta
Pumpkin pasta with Sage & brown butter ricotta
Serves: 6
Course: Lunch, dinner
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Prep Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

  • 360g Italian style sausages
  • 2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar or cider
  • 400g pumpkin puree (canned or made with roasted, blended fresh pumpkin)
  • 200ml cream
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 500g pasta
  • 80g butter
  • 8-10 sage leaves, finely sliced
  • 6 tbsp ricotta
  • Finely grated Parmesan
  1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta till al dente.
  2. Meanwhile remove the skins from the sausages. Add a little olive oil to a heavy based pan and fry the sausages, breaking them up with the back of the wooden spoon as they cook.
  3. Once the sausage is golden, add the apple cider vinegar or cider to deglaze the pan, scraping the base as you stir it. Add the pumpkin purée and bring to a simmer. Add a ladle of the pasta cooking water and the cream. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Lower to a very gentle simmer.
  4. Add the pasta and stir to combine.
  5. Melt the butter in a frying pan, lower the heat and leave it to deepen in colour. Add the sage leaves and remove from heat.
  6. Divide the pasta among bowls. Add a dollop of ricotta to each and spoon over the buttery sage. Serve right away.