Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: October 1, 2012

Fall has arrived and with that all you favorite pumpkin desserts and dishes.  This vegan pumpkin Alfredo pasta from Jessica's Gluten Dairy Free Kitchen is the perfect way to celebrate the season.  Penne pasta is tossed in a sauce flavored with onion, pepper, pumpkin and nutmeg.  You can use fresh or canned pumpkin for this recipe.  If you decide to make your own pumpkin puree, use small sugar pumpkins because they have the best flavor and texture for eating.  Serve your harvest pasta with a side of autumn greens and garlic bread.
Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients:



2 1/2 boxes (20 ounces total) penne pasta or any type of pasta you like (I used De Boles Multi Grain Penne)
2 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (I used So Delicious Unsweetened)
2 cups pumpkin puree, *made fresh or canned (will need about 16 ounces)
1 cup shredded style cheddar Daiya cheese
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus a couple of tablespoons for pasta water
1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons grape seed oil
1 tablespoon coconut oil or non-dairy margarine like Earth Balance Soy Free Spread
fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped for garnish
				 
Directions:
				 








*I made fresh roasted pumpkin that I halved, took all the seeds to roast, then placed the pumpkin on a parchment lined baking sheet, cut side facing down, in the oven at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. This was a large pumpkin.


   
If there are a lot of seeds in the pumpkin the I put them on another parchment lined baking sheet and bake them for 15-20 minutes while I am cooking the pumpkin.


   
For the Pasta: Boil a large pot of water for the pasta.


   
When the water is at a rapid boil at a few tablespoons of kosher salt, then add the pasta, stir often to prevent sticking.


   
Cook for 6-8 minutes. Do not rinse under cold water as directed on the box to ensure pasta will cling onto the sauce.


   
While your pasta is cooking, set a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add oil and coconut oil, add onion, saute until soft and opaque. One to two minutes.


   
Add coconut milk, pumpkin, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.


   
Whisk vigorously or use a hand held immersion blender to blend until smooth, cook for 4-5 minutes.


   
Add maple syrup and Daiya cheese, stir until smooth. Take off the heat.


   
Pasta should be done by this step. Drain the pasta in a colander then transfer the pasta back into the big pot.


   
Add the Alfredo sauce to the pasta and stir to coat all the pasta well.


   
Serve hot in pasta bowls, garnish with chopped parsley.

*I made fresh roasted pumpkin that I halved, took all the seeds to roast, then placed the pumpkin on a parchment lined baking sheet, cut side facing down, in the oven at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. This was a large pumpkin.


     
If there are a lot of seeds in the pumpkin the I put them on another parchment lined baking sheet and bake them for 15-20 minutes while I am cooking the pumpkin.


     
For the Pasta: Boil a large pot of water for the pasta.


     
When the water is at a rapid boil at a few tablespoons of kosher salt, then add the pasta, stir often to prevent sticking.


     
Cook for 6-8 minutes. Do not rinse under cold water as directed on the box to ensure pasta will cling onto the sauce.


     
While your pasta is cooking, set a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add oil and coconut oil, add onion, saute until soft and opaque. One to two minutes.


     
Add coconut milk, pumpkin, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.


     
Whisk vigorously or use a hand held immersion blender to blend until smooth, cook for 4-5 minutes.


     
Add maple syrup and Daiya cheese, stir until smooth. Take off the heat.


     
Pasta should be done by this step. Drain the pasta in a colander then transfer the pasta back into the big pot.


     
Add the Alfredo sauce to the pasta and stir to coat all the pasta well.


     
Serve hot in pasta bowls, garnish with chopped parsley.