Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Pumpkin season is in full effect & it doesn't get any tastier than this!

This recipe is one of my favorite ways to celebrate fall flavors. Perfectly pumpkiny yet creamy and savory at the same time.
Whole foods never tasted so good!!
There is a lot of misinformation regarding whether carbs or healthy or not. I'm here to tell you that the science shows carbohydrates from whole plant foods are extremely health promoting. White flour, white rice, white bread, and other refined carbohydrates lack nutrition and therefore should be avoided. But whole wheat pasta? Go for it!! Sprouted whole grain bread? Yes please! Beans, sweet potatoes, oats, and other whole grains? Absolutely!
Low carb diets have actually been "Found to Feed Heart Disease." Rather than depriving ourselves in order to reach our ideal weight, simply eat a variety of whole plant foods and include healthy carbs :)
That's incredibly easy (and lip smackin' delicious) with this Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta!!

 
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves Garlic, chopped

  • 16 oz Pumpkin Puree

  • 1/2 cup Water

  • 1/2 tsp Ceylon Cinnamon

  • 1/8 tsp Nutmeg

  • 1 cup Cashews (see note for weight loss option)

  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast

  • 1 tsp Lemon

  • 1 tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos, or Salt to taste

  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

  • 12 oz of Whole Wheat Pasta, Bean Pasta, or Zoodles

  • 2 heads of Kale, de-stemmed and chopped

Optional toppings: Chopped sage or herbs, pecans, roasted tomatoes

Directions

  • Heat a pan on high for 2 minutes.

  • Lower heat to medium and add onion.

  • Dry sauté and stir occasionally for three or four minutes until it begins to become translucent. If it begins to stick, add a little bit of the water to the pan.

  • Add garlic and sauté for another two minutes.

  • Add pumpkin puree, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.

  • While the pumpkin mixture cools, boil water and make your pasta. Set aside.

  • Transfer cooled pumpkin sauce to a blender with remaining ingredients. Blend until super creamy!

  • Toss with pasta of choice and sprinkle with optional toppings.

  • Enjoy all of the pumpkin goodness as it hits your taste buds!

*Makes 6 servings

Note: You can substitute 1/2 cup white beans or tofu in place of 1/2 cup of the cashews for a lighter meal!

P.S. I was trying to come up with some pumpkin puns while writing this post. But alas, I could not. I guess I'm not a pun-king ;)

 
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Chloe SteinComment