# 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 grated Parmesan cheese
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 grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for topping
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 grated Parmesan cheese for topping
26 - Fresh sage leaves for garnish
27 - Freshly ground black pepper for serving
# Preparation Steps:
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 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions until just barely al dente. 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. Stir until smooth. If mixture is very stiff, add 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk gradually to loosen. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate.
04 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sage leaves and cook while swirling until butter foams and browns, 4 to 6 minutes. Butter should smell nutty with visible brown specks. Remove from heat and lift out sage leaves onto paper towels for garnish.
05 - Return brown butter to low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 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 grated Parmesan, allowing each addition to melt before adding more. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. If sauce is too thick, whisk in broth one splash at a time until pourable but still creamy. 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 baking dish.
09 - Pour most of the remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over and around the shells. Reserve 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.
11 - Remove foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more until bubbling and lightly golden. For additional color, broil 1 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
12 - Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with reserved Alfredo sauce, 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.
