Description
Indulge in the creamy delight of pumpkin and Gouda stuffed shells, smothered in a rich brown butter and sage Alfredo sauce. This comforting dish combines the warmth of fall flavors with cheesy goodness, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ pound jumbo pasta shells
- 1¼ cups ricotta cheese
- ½ can pumpkin purée
- ⅔ cup Artikaas Ginger Pumpkin Seed Gouda, shredded (divided into ⅓ + ⅓ cups)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ large yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 large fresh sage leaves (plus more to fry for garnish)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Pinch of salt and pepper for Alfredo sauce seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil jumbo shells al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and half the chopped sage in olive oil until the onion is translucent. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, pumpkin purée, ⅓ cup shredded Gouda, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked onions and stir until well mixed.
- Make Brown Butter Sage Alfredo: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat until it starts to brown slightly. Lower heat, add remaining chopped sage, and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in flour until smooth, then gradually add half of the heavy cream, whisking until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the remaining cream, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Dish: Spread half of the Alfredo sauce over the bottom of a greased baking dish. Spoon 2 tablespoons of filling into each shell and arrange in the baking dish. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the shells, then sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of Gouda on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with fried sage leaves and a sprinkle of black pepper before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed spinach or other vegetables to the filling.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell (approximately)
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg