Description
These Pumpkin Gouda Stuffed Shells with Brown Butter Sage Alfredo Sauce are the ultimate fall-inspired comfort food. Perfect for a cozy dinner, holiday side dish, or even a gourmet vegetarian main, this easy recipe features jumbo pasta shells stuffed with creamy pumpkin, smoked Gouda, ricotta, and Parmesan. It’s all topped with a nutty, aromatic Alfredo sauce made with browned butter and crispy sage. Whether you’re looking for a new dinner idea, a crowd-pleasing food idea, or a healthy-ish comfort classic, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
20 jumbo pasta shells
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded smoked Gouda
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 fresh sage leaves
1 clove garlic minced (for sauce)
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (for sauce)
Extra Parmesan for topping if desired
Instructions
1. Boil the pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and lightly oil to prevent sticking.
2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin purée, ricotta, Gouda, Parmesan, minced garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until creamy.
3. In a saucepan, brown the butter over medium heat. Add sage leaves and fry until crispy. Remove and set aside.
4. Add garlic to the brown butter and cook briefly. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
5. Whisk in Parmesan and let sauce thicken slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6. Spoon filling into cooled shells. Place in a ceramic baking dish with some sauce on the bottom.
7. Pour remaining sauce over shells. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
8. Uncover, top with more cheese if desired, and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly.
Notes
Use a ceramic baking dish for even heat and the best texture.
Brown the butter slowly to avoid burning and enhance flavor.
Let the cooked shells cool before stuffing to prevent tearing.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: pumpkin gouda shells, fall dinner, stuffed pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, vegetarian dinner, brown butter Alfredo