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 real comfort food that immerses you in the warm autumn landscapes with the scent of the forest and pumpkin permeating the air.
The choice of paccheri is not random: their wide and welcoming shape allows them to hold all the sauce, perfectly enveloping each bite with a velvety and flavorful cream. The pumpkin, sweet and delicate, is transformed into a tasty cream that embraces the pasta, while the porcini mushrooms, with their characteristic undergrowth 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. Every bite is an invitation to let yourself be carried away by the aromas and tastes of this splendid season. The paccheri with mushrooms, sausage, and pumpkin cream not only fill the stomach but also warm the heart and leave a smile of satisfaction.
Try this flavorful and inviting dish, and it will surely become a classic in your autumn recipe collection.
I also recommend these other tempting seasonal first courses:
- 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
- 12.7 oz paccheri
- 10.6 oz porcini mushrooms
- 10.6 oz sausage
- 10.6 oz pumpkin
- 2 cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 shallot
- to taste 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 chunks. In a saucepan, brown 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 water to cover the pumpkin. Salt.
Cook for another 20 minutes over medium heat with a lid on. Then, blend the pumpkin, obtaining a thick and homogeneous cream.
Clean the porcini mushrooms with a damp cloth to remove the soil. 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 medium 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, and then the pumpkin cream. Gently mix everything together.
Boil the paccheri al dente in a pot with plenty of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the sauce. Stir-fry over high heat for a few minutes.
Serve with the remaining parsley and a drizzle of oil.
Storage of pasta with sausage, mushrooms, and pumpkin
The pasta with sausage, mushrooms, and pumpkin cream can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days, 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 more economical and easily available. However, porcini will provide 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 ahead and stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container. At the time of preparing the dish, just heat it slightly in a pan and add it to the other ingredients.
What is the best pasta shape to use?
Paccheri are ideal for holding the pumpkin cream, thanks to their wide shape. But you can also use other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or mezze maniche, which will also do their job well. However, 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. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese at the end will also give it an extra boost.
