# What you'll need:
→ Pasta
01 - 24 jumbo pasta shells
02 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt for pasta water
→ Pumpkin & Gouda Filling
03 - 1.5 cups pumpkin purée, unsweetened
04 - 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
05 - 1.5 cups smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
06 - 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
09 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
10 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - Pinch cayenne pepper, optional
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk as needed
→ Brown Butter & Sage Alfredo Sauce
15 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 8 to 10 fresh sage leaves
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - 1.5 cups heavy cream
19 - 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
20 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
21 - 0.5 to 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt to taste
22 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
23 - 0.25 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, optional
→ Assembly & Topping
24 - 0.75 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded for topping
25 - 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated for topping
26 - Fresh sage leaves for garnish
27 - Freshly ground black pepper for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add jumbo shells and cook until just barely al dente, 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and rinse under cool water. Lay shells on a lightly oiled tray to prevent sticking.
03 - In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, ricotta, smoked Gouda, Parmesan, egg, sage, nutmeg, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir until smooth. If the mixture is very stiff, add 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, a little at a time, to loosen. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate.
04 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sage leaves and cook, swirling, until butter foams and browns, 4 to 6 minutes. The butter should smell nutty and display brown specks. Remove from heat. Lift out sage leaves and drain on paper towels, reserving for garnish.
05 - Return brown butter to low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese, allowing each addition to melt before adding more. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. If sauce is too thick, whisk in broth, a splash at a time, until it reaches a pourable but still creamy consistency. Keep warm.
07 - Spread 0.5 to 0.75 cup Alfredo sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
08 - Fill each shell with 2 to 3 tablespoons pumpkin filling. Arrange stuffed shells open side up in a single snug layer in the dish.
09 - Pour most of the remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over and around the shells, reserving a small amount for drizzling after baking if desired. Top with shredded Gouda and grated Parmesan. Scatter reserved crisped sage over the top.
10 - Cover the dish loosely with foil, tenting to avoid sticking. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more until bubbling and lightly golden. For more color, broil 1 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
11 - Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with reserved Alfredo sauce and garnish with fresh or crisped sage, black pepper, and extra Parmesan. Serve 3 to 4 shells per person with green salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.
