Why This Pumpkin Rigatoni Recipe Is the Ultimate Comfort Food
You know that feeling when a meal just hits all the right notes? This rigatoni recipe does that and more. It’s creamy, hearty, and loaded with the natural sweetness of pumpkin 🍂. Paired with roasted capsicum and a luscious fetta cheese sauce, this dish feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. It’s perfect for a family dinner, a date night meal, or even as a fancy-looking dish for entertaining friends. Trust me—this is one of those recipes where people will ask for the secret, and you can smile and say, “It’s all in the roasting!” 😉
Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Rigatoni
- Choose the Right Pumpkin 🎃
Not all pumpkins are created equal. Go for Kent or Butternut squash—they’re sweet, creamy, and perfect for roasting. Avoid watery pumpkins, as they can make the sauce less rich. - Roasting Is Key 🔥
Roasting the pumpkin, capsicum, onion, and garlic brings out their natural sweetness and depth of flavour. Don’t rush this step—it’s what makes the sauce so irresistible. - Don’t Skip the Reserved Pasta Water 💦
The starchy pasta water is a magic ingredient. It helps thin out the sauce while giving it a silky texture that clings to the rigatoni perfectly. - Toast the Walnuts 🥜
Toasted walnuts add an earthy crunch that elevates this dish. If you don’t have walnuts, you can swap them for toasted pine nuts or even slivered almonds. - Use Quality Olive Oil 🍶
A drizzle of good-quality olive oil enhances the flavours of this dish. Opt for extra virgin olive oil with a fruity, peppery taste.
Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Rigatoni
This rigatoni is a star on its own, but if you want to take it to the next level, here’s what I recommend:
- Side Salad 🥗: Serve with a simple rocket salad tossed with lemon juice and olive oil. The peppery notes of rocket balance the creamy pasta perfectly.
- Garlic Bread 🥖: A crispy slice of garlic bread is never a bad idea with pasta. Use sourdough for a gourmet touch.
- Wine Pairing 🍷: A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red like Pinot Noir works beautifully with the dish’s creamy and slightly sweet flavours.
Storage Options for Pumpkin Rigatoni
This pasta dish is so delicious, it rarely lasts long enough for leftovers, but if you do have some to save, here’s how:
- In the Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
- In the Freezer: You can freeze the sauce separately for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on low heat before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
- Pro Tip: Avoid freezing the entire dish with pasta, as the texture of cooked pasta can become mushy when thawed and reheated.
Other Recipes to Try
Love this Pumpkin Rigatoni? Here are a few other pasta dishes you’ll adore:
- Creamy Bacon Rigatoni A smoky and indulgent pasta dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Spicy Prawn Linguine For those who like a little heat, this pasta is a seafood lover’s dream.
- Vegetarian Mushroom Carbonara A meat-free twist on the classic carbonara, using earthy mushrooms and a creamy sauce.
Share Your Creations
I’d love to see your take on this Pumpkin Rigatoni with Capsicum and Fetta. Snap a pic of your masterpiece and share it with me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff. Let’s see those creamy pasta bowls! 🍝✨
This Pumpkin Rigatoni recipe is one of those dishes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s packed with flavour, easy to customise, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is sure to earn a permanent spot in your recipe repertoire. Ready to give it a go? Let’s get roasting! 🔥
Pumpkin Rigatoni with Capsicum and Fetta
- Total Time: 65
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Creamy Pumpkin Rigatoni – Quick, Easy & Packed with Flavor! 🍝🔥
Need a fast and delicious pasta dish? This Pumpkin Rigatoni with Capsicum and Fetta is ready in no time and bursting with bold flavors! Roasted pumpkin blends into a smooth, creamy sauce with the help of my Sunbeam Stick Blender, creating the perfect coating for every bite of rigatoni. The roasted capsicum adds a subtle sweetness, while the fetta brings a rich, salty kick.
I grabbed everything I needed from ALDI, making this a budget-friendly meal without sacrificing quality. From fresh produce to that creamy block of fetta, this dish is all about simple, delicious ingredients that work together effortlessly.
Just roast, blend, and toss with pasta—done! A sprinkle of toasted walnuts on top adds the perfect crunch. Dinner sorted in no time! ⏳🔥 Who’s making this tonight?
Ingredients
- 1 x 200gm Emporium Selection block of Fetta Cheese
- 1 quarter The Good Stuff Kent Pumpkin
- 1 medium Brown Onion
- 1 large Red Capsicum
- 1 Tbsp Crushed Stone Mill Garlic
- 2 tbsp The Olive Tree Olive Oil
- 1 500gm bag Armando Rigatoni
- Handful of Oh So Natural Walnuts for garnish
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
- Line your baking tray with some baking paper. Remove skin and dice Pumpkin into 2x2cm squares and place them on the baking tray.
- Remove the core of the Capsicum and slice it into larger chunks as it is a softer vegetable. Then place it on the baking tray with the Pumpkin.
- Cut Onion in half leaving the skin on, place in baking tray
- Cut a full head of Garlic into half and place it in the tray.
- Now, place the block of Fetta Cheese in the centre of a baking tray. Drizzle with Olive Oil and season with Salt and Pepper.
- Bake for 45 minutes until Vegetables are cooked and Fetta is soft.
- While the Vegetables and Fetta are cooking, you can get started with the Pasta. Cook it as per instructions on the packet. Reserve some Pasta water for the sauce and drain the remaining Pasta. Set aside.
- Once the Vegetables are cooked, allow it to cool down a bit. Squeeze the softened contents out of the Onion and Garlic discarding the skin and add it to the blending jug.
- Add all the cooked Vegetables into the jug. Add 2-3 ladles of the reserved Pasta water in the jug and blend until smooth and creamy with stick mixer.
- Now, toast the Walnuts on a pan or roast it in the oven. Keep it aside.
- Assemble the Pasta by stirring in the creamy sauce through the cooked Pasta. Make sure the Pasta is covered with the sauce.
- Spoon the pasta into bowls, and sprinkle the toasted Walnuts over it. Crack some Pepper on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Roasted vegetables and feta blended into a sauce, tossed with pasta.
- Cuisine: This is a modern, convenient pasta dish combining roasted vegetables and feta. While inspired by Mediterranean flavors, it's not a traditional recipe from a specific region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While rigatoni is ideal for holding onto the creamy sauce, other short pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or fusilli work just as well.
If you’re not a fan of fetta, you can use ricotta, cream cheese, or even goat cheese for a slightly different flavour.
Yes! Swap the fetta for a vegan cream cheese and use plant-based milk to create the sauce. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly.