Pumpkin Baked Spaghetti Casserole

This recipe takes the comforting layers of baked spaghetti and gives them a cozy fall twist with creamy pumpkin, warm spices, and gooey cheese. It’s budget-friendly, hearty, and the perfect weeknight dinner on a chilly autumn evening. Need a vegetarian version? You can get it here.

📝 Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti (or any pasta you like)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or ground beef/turkey)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half for lighter)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional but cozy!)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil spaghetti according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage with onion until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
3. Make the Pumpkin Sauce: Stir in pumpkin puree, cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Combine: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the pumpkin sauce and meat until well coated.
5. Assemble: Spread half the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella + Parmesan. Layer the rest of the pasta, then top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy hot!

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Pair with garlic bread or a simple green salad.
• Great for meal prep—reheats beautifully!
• Add red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.
• Servings: About 6–8 servings
  👉 A standard 9×13 baking dish comfortably serves 6 as hearty main dishes or up to 8 with smaller portions (like if you’re pairing it with salad + bread).

Pumpkin Baked Spaghetti Casserole

This recipe takes the comforting layers of baked spaghetti and gives them a cozy fall twist with creamy pumpkin, warm spices, and gooey cheese. It’s budget-friendly, hearty, and the perfect weeknight dinner on a chilly autumn evening.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz spaghetti or any pasta you like
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground beef/turkey
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 15 oz pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy cream or half & half for lighter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg optional but cozy!
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Cook the Pasta: Boil spaghetti according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage with onion until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Make the Pumpkin Sauce: Stir in pumpkin puree, cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Combine: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the pumpkin sauce and meat until well coated.
• Assemble: Spread half the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella + Parmesan. Layer the rest of the pasta, then top with remaining cheese.
• Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
• Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy hot!

Notes

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with garlic bread or a simple green salad.
• Great for meal prep—reheats beautifully!
• Add red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.

A standard 9×13 baking dish comfortably serves 6 as hearty main dishes or up to 8 with smaller portions (like if you’re pairing it with salad + bread).