How to make ‘the perfect autumn’ pumpkin alla vodka pasta
Chef Jamie Milne shared her ‘perfect autumn dish,' which is a twist on penne alla vodka made with pumpkin puree.
Autumn is hailed as the perfect time of year to curl up in a blanket, light a scented candle, watch a comfort movie like Halloweentown or Harry Potter, and enjoy a warm home-cooked meal. And we found the perfect dish for you.
Jamie Milne – a self-taught teacher-turned-chef who boasts 2.4 million followers on TikTok – shared her easy, homemade pumpkin alla vodka recipe, which is a twist on penne alla vodka.
“My toxic trait is come September 1st, I’m already making pumpkin-inspired recipes like my pumpkin alla vodka,” she said in her video. “It is the perfect autumn dish.”
Pumpkin alla vodka pasta
Ingredients
- A quarter cup of vodka
- One teaspoon of nutmeg
- One box of tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni
- One cup of pumpkin puree
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One minced garlic clove
- One teaspoon of chili flakes
- One cup of heavy cream or milk
- One cup of parmesan cheese
- Two tablespoons of tomato pasta
- One diced white onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step 1: Prepare your pasta
It is best to start this process while you prep your other ingredients to save time. Fill up a pot with water and a pinch of salt, which will help the pasta cook faster, and put it under high heat and wait for it to come to a boil.
Step 2: Create the pumpkin sauce
While the pasta cooks, add your olive oil, diced white onion, garlic, and chili flakes to a large skillet over medium heat.
Saute until the onion is tender, then add your tomato paste and stir thoroughly. It should start to look like an orange mash that sticks together.
Then, pour your vodka and let it sizzle before adding the pumpkin puree.
“By adding the pumpkin puree, it makes the pasta sauce so creamy and heavy,” she says.
Then, pour in your chosen milk and stir until it becomes a thick orange sauce.
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Step 3: Strain and stir in your pasta
Strain your pasta and add it to the skillet, but make sure to save a cup of pasta water. Start slowly mixing in your pasta to the sauce while slowly adding your pasta water.
Step 4: Add your finishing touches
Lastly, garnish your pasta with salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and nutmeg to taste. You can also add any of your favorite autumn spices – from allspice to cardamom to ginger – if desired.