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3-Cheese Pumpkin Pasta Casserole with Spinach

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It’s all about the four C’s: creamy, comforting, crowd-pleasing and cheese.
three cheese pumpkin pasta casserole with spinach
Katherine Gillen

Have you heard the word? Casseroles are having a moment. But these aren’t your canned soup concoctions from circa 1993. Take this 3-cheese pumpkin pasta casserole with spinach as an example. It’s creamy, comforting and big enough to feed a crowd, but still feels modern thanks to dollops of ricotta and plenty of spinach (you know, for #health). Even better, it freezes like a dream for the nights you don’t feel like cooking.


Ingredients

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound large shells or rigatoni

One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree

½ cup heavy cream

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

2 cups grated Gruyère cheese, divided

1 cup grated Parmesan, divided

6 ounces baby spinach

¾ cup ricotta

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until very al dente, about 7 minutes or half of the time indicated on the package. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain, rinse with cool water and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, heavy cream and the reserved ¼ cup pasta water. Grate in the garlic cloves, then stir in 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper, the thyme, red pepper flakes and nutmeg, if using. Stir in 1½ cups of the Gruyère, half of the Parmesan and the spinach, then add the pasta and stir to coat.

4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and dollop with ricotta. Transfer to the oven and bake until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
  • 718 calories

  • 34g fat

  • 67g carbs

  • 38g protein

  • 6g sugars

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Note: The information shown is Edamam's estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

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Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...