The paccheri with mushrooms, sausage, and pumpkin is a dish that celebrates autumn in all its splendor, a true journey through the flavors and colors of this season. A true comfort food that immerses you in the warm autumn landscapes with the scent of the woods and pumpkin filling the air.
The choice of paccheri is not accidental: their wide and welcoming shape allows them to hold all the seasoning, perfectly enveloping each bite with a velvety and tasty cream. The pumpkin, sweet and delicate, is transformed into a delicious cream that embraces the pasta, while the porcini mushrooms, with their characteristic underwood aroma, add a touch of intensity and depth. The sausage completes the dish with its bold taste, giving the whole an explosion of flavor that perfectly balances with the sweetness of the pumpkin.
This dish is ideal for a dinner with friends, perhaps with a good glass of red wine, which enhances its flavors. Each bite is an invitation to be carried away by the scents and flavors of this splendid season. Paccheri with mushrooms, sausage, and pumpkin cream not only fill the stomach but warm the heart and leave a smile of satisfaction.
Try this delicious and inviting first course yourself, sure to become a classic in your fall recipe book.
I also recommend these other tempting first courses of the season:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
Ingredients for Paccheri with Mushrooms, Sausage, and Pumpkin
- 12.5 oz paccheri
- 10.5 oz porcini mushrooms
- 10.5 oz sausage
- 10.5 oz pumpkin
- 2 cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 shallot
- as needed water
- 2 pinches salt
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Preparation of Paccheri with Mushrooms, Sausage, and Pumpkin
Peel the pumpkin and cut it into cubes. In a saucepan, sauté a shallot with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the pumpkin and let it flavor for a few minutes over high heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and a handful of fresh parsley, and enough water to cover the pumpkin. Salt.
Cook for another 20 minutes over moderate heat with a lid. Then, blend the pumpkin into a thick and homogeneous cream.
Clean the porcini mushrooms with a damp cloth to remove the dirt. Then, cut them into cubes.
In a saucepan, brown the garlic clove with three tablespoons of oil and add the porcini. Salt and cook over moderate heat for ten minutes. Finish with a bit of fresh parsley, remove from the heat, and transfer them to a plate.
Now remove the casing from the sausage and cut it into small pieces with a fine-tipped knife. Cook them in the same base as the mushrooms, until they are well cooked.
Then, first add the porcini, then the pumpkin cream. Gently mix everything together.
Boil the paccheri until al dente in a pot with plenty of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta and pour it into the saucepan with the seasoning. Toss over high heat for a few minutes.
Serve with the remaining parsley and a drizzle of oil.
Storing Pasta with Sausage, Mushrooms, and Pumpkin
Pasta with sausage, mushrooms, and pumpkin cream can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days, kept in an airtight container.
FAQ
Can I use other types of mushrooms?
Yes, you can replace porcini mushrooms with other varieties, such as champignons or cremini mushrooms, which are cheaper and more readily available. However, porcini will give a more intense and earthy flavor to the dish.
Can the pumpkin cream be prepared in advance?
The pumpkin cream can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge, in an airtight container. When preparing the dish, just heat it slightly in a pan and mix it with the other ingredients.
What is the best pasta shape to use?
Paccheri are ideal for holding the pumpkin cream, thanks to their wide shape. However, you can also use other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or mezze maniche, which will still perform their function well. Nonetheless, paccheri make the dish more scenic!
How can I make the pumpkin cream more flavorful?
For an even more flavorful pumpkin cream, add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon during cooking, or season with a sprig of rosemary. Even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan at the end will give it an extra kick.
