Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Pasta Bake takes the idea of a classic pasta bake and adds a sprinkling of fall festivity into each bite! Instead of tomatoes, Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Pasta Bake uses a pumpkin base for its rich, savory sauce, with notes of sage for a true holiday flavor. Seared chicken, crispy bacon, tender pasta; everything gets enhanced when coated in this pumpkin powerhouse and topped with some cheese. Falling head over heels for this bake is as easy as enjoying it!
Ingredients
For the pumpkin sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 yellow onion, cut into thin slices
- white wine, optional, to taste
- 1 clove garlic
- 18 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sage, rubbed
- nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
- cracked black pepper, to taste
For the pasta:
- 1 pound pasta, uncooked
- 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- bacon, to taste, cooked, and crumbled
- 1 cup mozzarella, divided
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- parsley, optional, for topping
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –In a large skillet over medium-low heat, heat the butter until melted.
Step 4 –Add the onion to the melted butter and cook until the onions are caramelized and deep-golden brown, about 20-30 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the white wine to the onion mixture and stir to combine.
Step 6 –In a blender, add the garlic, the pumpkin, the chicken broth, the milk, the olive oil, the salt, the sage, the nutmeg, and the pepper and puree until smooth.
Step 7 –Add the pumpkin mixture to the caramelized onions in the pan and cook until heated through.
Step 8 –Cook the pasta according to the package directions to just shy of al dente. Drain the pasta.
Step 9 –Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Step 10 –Add the chicken and cook until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 11 –Transfer the chicken from the water and allow it to cool until it can be handled.
Step 12 –Shred the chicken.
Step 13 –Toss the cooked pasta, the chicken, and the bacon with the pumpkin sauce and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.
Step 14 –Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 15 –Top the mixture with the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan.
Step 16 –Cover the baking dish with greased foil and bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 17 –Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.
