Pumpkin Vodka Sauce Pasta w/ Whipped Ricotta

The Holy Grail of fall pasta dishes. I promise. Try it.

Fall is my absolute favorite season, I start celebrating before it even gets here in an attempt to make it fall sooner. And Fall is also pumpkin season which I am 100% on board with. Pumpkin is so versatile, you can use it in both sweet and savory dishes.

Time: about 20-30 minutes - it's quick!

Serves: two people!

You'll need

• ~2 cups / 2 servings dry pasta - you can use any pasta for this!

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado!)

• 3 garlic cloves, diced or minced

• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree

• 1 teaspoon crushed chili flakes / red pepper flakes

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 1 oz (shot) vodka

• 1/2 teaspoon onion salt (or 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1/4 teaspoon onion powder)

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or however much you want tbh)

• 2 tablespoons butter (separated)

• fresh basil leaves, optional

Ricotta

• 1 cup whole milk ricotta

• 1 teaspoon herbes de provence

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add in your pasta and cook until al dente (almost done) so on the range of time they give you on the package, go with the lower number ie: "boil 7-9 minutes" --> boil 7 minutes.

2. If you have a stand mixer, add your ricotta, lemon & herbs to the bowl and whisk on medium speed for 3-5 minutes - If you are using a handheld mixer, wait until after the pasta + sauce are done, add ricotta, lemon, herbs to a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until its light and fluffy!

3. Add 2 tbsp oil to a sauce pan and place over medium/low heat. Once the oil is shimmery, add in garlic and cook 2 minutes until fragrant. Next add the tomato paste and stir. Then add pumpkin puree and red pepper flakes, whisk or stir until its all combined. Cook a minute or two until heated then add in the heavy cream.

4. Once your pasta is done cooking, remove about 2/3 cup of pasta water, drain the rest and then mix in 1 tbsp butter and keep covered.

5. Add a shot of vodka to your pasta sauce and mix it in. If your sauce is sticking to the pan at any point, turn the heat down and add a splash of pasta water. Also if you need some extra time, add a splash of pasta water.

6. Next add onion salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of butter to the sauce and mix it in. Once the butter has melted add in the pasta + 1/2 cup pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta. Stir until coated.

7. To plate, smear whipped ricotta on your plate and top with pasta! Also top with fresh basil, pepper and red pepper flakes if you're feeling it.

I hope you make this, I hope you love it! Tag me on instagram @honeyibaked so I can see how it turned out!!