Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

Pumpkin Kale Tortellini alla Vodka Pasta

Silky smooth Pumpkin Kale Tortellini alla Vodka Pasta- made with a luscious creamy pumpkin sauce, savory Italian sausage, fresh kale and lots of parmesan cheese. This creamy pumpkin tortellini is the perfect cozy comfort dish on a crisp autumn evening.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: fall, kale, pasta, pumpkin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Kaylen Nicole

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 large shallot, diced
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 ounces tomato paste
  • ½ cup vodka
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 16 ounces cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen kale

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the sliced sausage. Cook until the sausage is browned all over, about 8 minutes. Add the diced shallots. Saute the shallots until they begin to turn soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Next, add the fresh garlic. Stir and cook for 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Add the tomato paste to the veggie sausage mixture and mix well. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the tomato paste becomes toasted. Add the vodka to deglaze the pan, stirring up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the pumpkin puree, heavy whipping cream, red pepper flakes, salt pepper and garlic powder. Bring to a low simmer and cook stirring often for 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken. Bring a a large pot of water to a boil.
  • When the pasta water is boiling, add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions. Drain. Add the parmesan to the pasta sauce and stir well. Lastly, add the chopped kale and allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes more. Taste and adjust any seasonings if necessary.
  • Spoon the sausage pumpkin kale sauce over individual plates of the tortellini and garnish with additional parmesan cheese. Enjoy!