Description
This Pumpkin Burrata Baked Ziti is a comforting and creamy pasta dish perfect for fall. Featuring tender ziti pasta enveloped in a luscious pumpkin-infused sauce with garlic, shallots, and a touch of crushed red pepper flakes, the dish is topped with rich burrata cheese and Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and golden. A cozy, flavorful twist on classic baked ziti that’s ideal for gatherings or a special weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 shallot, diced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for topping
- 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup half and half or heavy cream
- 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
Cheese
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the ziti later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe 12-inch skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced shallot, a pinch of kosher salt and pepper, and the ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots soften and the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Make Pumpkin Sauce: Stir in the pumpkin puree, half and half, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Whisk together until the sauce is smooth, adding more pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency. Finally, whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked ziti pasta directly into the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Add Burrata Cheese: Pull apart the burrata cheese and place it generously on top of the saucy pasta in the skillet. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake the Dish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the dish is bubbly, warm, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with more Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy pumpkin burrata baked ziti!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
- Use a large oven-safe skillet to avoid extra dishwashing and ensure even baking.
- For a richer sauce, opt for heavy cream instead of half and half.
- Burrata adds a creamy fresh cheese texture; you can substitute with fresh mozzarella if unavailable.
- Add extra crushed red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
