Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Kale & Bacon #PumpkinCan

This post brought to you by Libby’s. All opinions are 100% mine.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta kale bacon Recipe

I’m not sure why, but we used to always reserve pumpkin for holiday and winter time baking. No more! Pumpkin is delicious any time of year!

Not only does Libby’s Pumpkin Puree taste delicious, it’s also a versatile superfood that adds amazing flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.

Pumpkin is packed with Beta Carotene, adds extra fiber and Vitamin A to foods, plus it’s one of my favorite vegetables – the bright orange color and smooth taste is a compliment to main, side or dessert recipes.

Libby's pumpkin recipe idea

Easy Ways to Use Pumpkin year- Round

So, what are some easy ways to incorporate pumpkin into your menu year-round? Check these tips out:

  • For a great boost of boost of fiber, Vitamin A and added flavor — stir 2 Tbs of pumpkin into oatmeal, smoothies, macaroni and cheese, pudding, hot chocolate, instant mashed potatoes or jarred pasta sauce.
  • Add pumpkin to store-bought pancake or waffle mix for great flavor!
  • Replace one egg in a recipe wth 1/4 cup of Libby’s Pumpkin to cut fat, cholesterol and calories.
  • Replace half the butter in a recipe with pumpkin to cut fat.
  • Replace the oil in baked goods and brownie mixes with pumpkin for added nutrition.

There are so many other ways to use Libby’s Pumpkin! If you need some inspiration — make sure to visit Pumpkin Can, for great year-round pumpkin recipes, info and substitution ideas.

Libby's pumpkin pasta sauce ingredients

Now, I’ll admit when I was challenged to come up with a non-seasonal recipe using Libby’s Pumpkin — I was a bit stumped at first. At least, I was stumped until I saw a huge bag of fresh kale at the grocery store.


I am so excited to share my delicious pumpkin recipe idea for this tasty veggie! With bright green kale, savory sage and sweet hickory bacon all complimenting the smoothness of a creamy pumpkin sauce — I think your family will enjoy this meal any time of year!

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

4.8 from 12 reviews
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Kale & Bacon
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 1 lb your favorite pasta, cooked and drained
  • 3 strips thick-sliced bacon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 c Kale, washed and chopped
  • 2 green onions, minced
  • 1½ Tbs fresh Sage, chopped
  • 15oz can Libby's Pumpkin
  • 1½ c Half & Half
  • ½ tsp Sea Salt, freshly ground
  • ¼ tsp Pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
  1. Cook Pasta according to package instructions. drain well.
  2. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon and set aside.
  3. In bacon grease, saute garlic and green onions until translucent, about 1 minute.
  4. Add kale and saute until Kale is tender and wilted, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add pumpkin, half & half, sage, salt and pepper. Stir over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Simmer 2-3 minutes, until sauce is heated through and smooth.
  6. Stir in cooked pasta.
  7. Place pasta in serving dish and top with reserved bacon and 1 Tbs green onion tops.
Notes
If you don't like kale, trying using 1-2 cups of shelled edamame (the frozen is great!) as a substitute.

Also, if you’re worried about using up a whole can at once – don’t be! You can easily portion and freeze leftover pumpkin, to easily add to your recipes whenever you wish.

Libby's photo 09a341e3-a992-48f0-aedc-b8cb5b488a8d_zpsdfc183eb.png

If you love Libby’s Pumpkin as much as our family does, visit Pumpkin Can and let the world know by using the #PumpkinCan hashtag on your social media sites, for a chance to win weekly prizes. You can also visit Libby’s on Facebook, Libby’s on Twitter and Libby’s on Pinterest, for even more recipes and fun facts about pumpkin.

What is your favorite off-season use of pumpkin?

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About the Author

Henrietta Newman is a self-loving empty-nester into smudging, nature, yoga, fitness, healthy living, hunting, camping, hiking, tech, video games, gadgets, recipes, reviews and more.
With a love for the outdoors and visiting local attractions in and around NW PA and Lake Erie, you never know what you'll find in my nest! Subscribe to A Hen's Nest so you don't miss the fun!

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Comments

  1. 1

    I rarely cook with pumpkin when it’s not Fall. I really don’t have a reason for that either! I need to pick up some cans and see what I can do. Pasta with pumpkin does sound yummy!!

  2. 2

    I just got pumpkin out of my freezer… strange because this is the second post I have seen using pumpkin today and I got my pumpkin out before I seen either of them.

    • 3

      It must be a sign that you need to make something delicious with pumpkin :D I’ve seen some amazing pumpkin recipes recently, so glad I bought a few extra cans!

  3. 4

    That looks delicious! I love all the ingredients in that dish and your pictures are making me drool!
    MItch

  4. 5

    I love kale. It is great to see it being used in everyday meals. It looks super delicious

  5. 6

    I don’t really eat pumpkin when it’s not in season, but I don’t really know why. Pumpkin pancakes are my favorite!

  6. 7

    You had me at bacon! Sounds really different. Not sure my kids would go for it if they knew it was made with pumpkin. I’d have to make it when they are at school and then serve it to them when they get home.

  7. 8

    This looks so delicious! I don\’t think I\’ve ever eaten pumpkin in this way, but I love the taste of pumpkin, so I think I would love it.

  8. 9

    This is amazing! I thought you could only use the pumpkin filling for pies and pastries. I never thought to use it in pasta! This looks delicious.

  9. 10

    This Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Kale & Bacon recipe looks so tasty. I’ll have to try it.

  10. 11

    I love pasta and I love pumpkin – so I have to love this!

  11. 12

    Oh wow, this looks delicious. Definitely a must make.

  12. 13

    OH my, my, my girlie, you do know how to eat right. That looks fantastic!

  13. 14

    This recipe sounds amazing! I’ve never tried anything quite like it.

  14. 15

    I am very intrigued by the idea of pumpkin pasta. I\’m going to have to remember to try that!

  15. 16

    I would have NEVER thought to put this together. This looks so yummy and creamy!

  16. 17

    What an interesting combo. IT looks amazing and I would love to try it.

  17. 18

    Never would have thought to make that but it looks really really good!

  18. 19

    This looks amazing! I love pumpkin in anything, no matter what season it is. Pumpkin with bacon sounds good to me.

  19. 20

    That looks great. I like the tips too, I am going to try the one on oil substituting, and the one on pumpkin pancakes too. :)

  20. 21

    I had pumpkin pasta for the first time last year and loved it! I have yet to make it at home. But I know I will!

  21. 22

    What a great recipe! I love the added bacon. THat’s a must for me! ;)

  22. 23

    I love pumpkin recipes! This creamy pumpkin pasta recipe looks scrumptious.

  23. 24

    Hmm. I\’ve never considered using pumpkin for anything other than desserts and baking! This pasta looks and sounds delicious! I\’ll have to make it and see what the husband thinks. We love pasta!

  24. 25

    Ok, this looks absolutely AMAZING! I love pumpkin!

  25. 26

    This looks so good! I love pumpkin! So glad that other people find it perfectly acceptable to eat it all year around and not just in the fall!

  26. 27

    I’ve never used pumpkin in anything besides a dessert -but this looks absolutely delicious!

  27. 28

    Love libby’s pumpkin but never thought about using it with pasta. Yum!

  28. 29

    The pasta looks fabulous! I love the contrast of color.

  29. 30

    Oh yum, the bacon really is the cherry on top!

  30. 31

    I’m like you- I usually only use pumpkin for holiday and winter time meals. I am drooling over this recipe, however, and I pinned it for later (before the holidays, of course). Looks amazing!!

  31. 32

    I have never thought to use pumpkin in a pasta dish. This looks so good.

  32. 33

    Oh wow that looks good! I love KALE and bacon. Not a fan of pumpkin- but this is a worth a try!

  33. 34

    I never thought to use pumpkin like this! Pictures look amazing can’t wait to try it!

  34. 35

    Lets see, I think it would be Pumpkin Choc Chip bread

  35. 36

    Henrietta,
    First of all of love pasta, you know what they say about runners and pasta, “eat pasta, run fasta”… LOL. But your Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Kale & Bacon looks awesome! I am definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks so much for providing it!

  36. 37

    I didn’t know that there were so many things you could make with pumpkin

  37. 38

    I made this for dinner last night and we all loved this. Thank you Henrietta for an amazing dinner idea! I was looking for more Kale recipes because my 20 month old son loves it.

  38. 40

    Awesome!

  39. 41

    Adorable recipe! I love pumpkins and creamy pasta, so that could be an adorable tandem!:)

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