Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 shallot, diced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for topping
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup half and half or heavy cream
- 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
Topping
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for the final baking step.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe 12-inch skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, diced shallots, a generous pinch of salt and pepper, and the crushed red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring frequently until the shallots are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Make Pumpkin Sauce: Stir in the pumpkin puree, half and half (or heavy cream), and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water into the skillet. Whisk the mixture until smooth and creamy, adding additional pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency. Then whisk in the parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked ziti to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Toss well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated.
- Add Burrata: Tear the burrata cheese into pieces and arrange it evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the top as desired.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dish is bubbly, warmed through, and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes to taste, then serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- You can substitute half and half with heavy cream for an even richer sauce.
- Reserve pasta water is critical for adjusting sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring pasta to another dish for baking.
- Burrata adds a luxurious texture, but fresh mozzarella can be used as a more affordable alternative.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
