Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Pumpkin Cream, Mushrooms, and Bacon is a creamy, easy, and flavorful autumn first course. The sweet and colorful pumpkin transforms into a velvety cream that envelops the rigatoni, enriched by the bold taste of bacon and sautéed mushrooms.
An ideal idea if you’re looking for pumpkin recipes, first courses with mushrooms, or simply want to give whole wheat pasta a flavorful and wholesome makeover.
This pasta is perfect for Sunday lunch, a quick yet savory dinner, bringing to the table the colors and scents of autumn.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 Servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
Ingredients to prepare Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Pumpkin Cream, Mushrooms, and Bacon
- 11 oz whole wheat pasta (rigatoni)
- 14 oz pumpkin (cleaned)
- 7 oz mushrooms
- 3.5 oz bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Tools
- Pans
- Cutting Board
Steps
Cook the pumpkin: cut it into cubes and sauté in a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 clove of garlic for 12-15 minutes, adding a little water if needed. Remove the garlic and puree the pumpkin with an immersion blender (or mash with a fork). Season with salt and pepper.
Sauté the mushrooms: in a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil with 1 clove of garlic, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden.
Crisp the bacon: in a non-stick skillet, brown the bacon slices without adding oil until they become crispy.
Boil the whole wheat rigatoni in plenty of salted water, drain and toss with a drizzle of oil. Arrange them on the plates. Pour over the velvety pumpkin cream, add the mushrooms, finish with the crispy bacon, and serve immediately.
Storage
The rigatoni with pumpkin and mushroom cream is best enjoyed freshly made, but you can store it in the fridge for 1 day in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, heat them in a pan with a drizzle of oil.
Tips
• You can replace the bacon with speck for a smokier flavor.
• If you want to make the dish more refined, use porcini mushrooms.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add toasted walnuts or hazelnuts.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use non-whole wheat short pasta?
Yes, even classic penne or rigatoni pair well with this sauce.
Can I blend the mushrooms with the pumpkin?
Better not: leave them in pieces to add more contrast and texture to the dish.
