Sausage Pumpkin Pasta – Fall Camping at its Best

Some things just go together. Campfires and s’mores. Peanut butter and jelly. Fall and camping. And Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta. (Not kidding!) When the leaves start changing and that cool October air brushes the treetops, one thing always comes to mind. Rich, creamy, savory pumpkin! There’s no better way to enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of Fall than to load up the camper and hit the road.

Summertime camping is full of cold beer, grilled burgers, flip flops, and swimsuit splashes in cool creeks and streams. (All awesome, by the way…) But Fall camping brings out the sweatshirts, beanie caps, warm cocktails, and bowls of rich, gooey, hot camping food that warm the soul. High on my list of amazing dishes to serve in the fall is Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta. It’s a little different, a little rich (ok… a lot rich), and a whole lot tasty!

Sausage Pumpkin Pasta – Not Your Typical Camping Dinner

I know, I know. Some of you are thinking Pumpkin Pasta? Really? Yes, I get that sideways glance when people ask “what’s for dinner?” and my answer is Pumpkin Pasta. Especially from the kids. But I promise that it will be a huge hit! In fact, I’ve never had anyone not like it! It’s a bit like a light, fall version of Mac and Cheese (and who doesn’t like that?). And I also know it doesn’t exactly sound like your typical camping food. It’s not! That’s why I like it. Everyone will remember that camping trip when you served Pumpkin Pasta. They’ll remember it for years. And isn’t that kind of the point of camping… to create lifelong memories?

Fall camping means the days are shorter, but the campfires are longer (woo hoo!) Be prepared to enjoy it all by pre-cooking the pasta noodles before you head out. The flavorful, velvety sauce – full of savory sausage, onion, cream cheese, and pumpkin – comes together in about 20 minutes at the campsite. Then just mix and serve! And don’t let all the compliments you get about your amazing dinner go to your head! Just look up, smile, and thank your lucky stars that you’re out in the great outdoors with family and friends enjoying everything nature has to offer.

[bctt tweet=”I don’t need therapy. I just need to go camping. ~ Author Unknown #Camping #FallCamping #PumpkinPasta”]

What’s your favorite fall camping memory?

[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Sausage Pumpkin Pasta – Fall Camping at its Best – – Rotini Pasta, olive oil, Vegetable Oil, yellow onion (Diced), garlic (Minced), Sage Sausage (I use Jimmy Dean), flour, Whole Milk, salt, Pepper, Nutmeg, Can Pumpkin ((Not Pumpkin Pie Filling)), Cream Cheese (Room Temperature), Chives (For Garnish if desired), , At Home: Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente in heavily salted water. Drain, rinse, and drizzle with 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Cool and place in zip top bag and bring to the campsite. ; At Campsite: In a large pot heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, then add garlic. Stir frequently. After garlic cooks one minute, add sausage to pot. Crumble and brown until fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. ; When sausage is cooked, sprinkle with flour and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until flour starts to brown. Slowly add milk, stirring or whisking constantly until well combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. ; Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, Pumpkin, and cream cheese. Heat until thick and heated through, approximately 10-15 minutes. Add cooked pasta and stir until combined. Serve in bowls and enjoy!

Note: Can also make sauce ahead of time and store in a gallon sized zip top bag. Combine sauce and cooked pasta in large pot at campsite and heat through. ; ; – – Main Course – Main Dish – American – Camping – Camping – Main Dish – Pasta – camping – camping food – fall camping – pumpkin – pumpkin pasta – sausage pasta – sausage pumpkin pasta[/wpurp-searchable-recipe]