Roasted Pumpkin Pasta Roll-Ups with Burrata, Crispy Sage, Candied Pecans & Hot Honey

Roasted Pumpkin Pasta Roll-Ups with Burrata, Crispy Sage, Candied Pecans & Hot Honey are a cosy, flavour-packed pasta bake that combines creamy pumpkin and ricotta filling with tender lasagna noodles, rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and soft burrata. Crispy sage, sweet candied pecans, and a drizzle of hot honey add layers of texture and flavour to every bite.

This comforting dish brings together sweet, savoury, creamy, and slightly spicy flavours in one beautiful bake. It is a lovely choice for a cosy family dinner, a weekend meal, or a special occasion when you want something a little more impressive than a traditional pasta bake.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Filling:

• 2 cups pumpkin purée (480 g)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (250 g)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
• 1 large egg (50 g)
• 2 tbsp heavy cream (30 ml)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (3 g)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg (1 g)
• ½ tsp dried sage (1 g)
• ½ tsp salt (3 g)
• ¼ tsp black pepper (0.5 g)

For the Pasta Roll-Ups:

• 12 lasagna noodles (240 g)
• 2 cups marinara sauce (480 g)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g)

For the Crispy Sage:

• 20 fresh sage leaves (15 g)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
• Pinch of salt

For the Candied Pecans:

• ¾ cup pecan halves, roughly chopped (85 g)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (40 g)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (14 g)
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (0.5 g)
• Pinch of salt

For the Topping:

• 8 oz burrata cheese (225 g)
• 2 tbsp hot honey (40 g)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (12 g)
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish to create a moist base for the pasta roll-ups.

2. Cook the Lasagna Noodles

Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain carefully and lay the noodles flat on a lightly oiled baking sheet or parchment paper so they do not stick together while you prepare the filling.

3. Make the Pumpkin Filling

In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, egg, heavy cream, garlic powder, ground nutmeg, dried sage, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and evenly combined.

4. Fill and Roll the Pasta

Spread approximately 3 tablespoons of the pumpkin mixture evenly over each lasagna noodle, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle a little mozzarella over the filling, then carefully roll each noodle into a spiral. Keep the rolls snug enough to hold their shape without squeezing out the filling.

5. Assemble the Roll-Ups

Arrange the pasta roll-ups seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce around and between the rolls, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.

6. Bake the Pasta

Loosely cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are lightly golden.

7. Make the Crispy Sage

While the pasta bakes, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh sage leaves and fry for 1–2 minutes per side, until crisp. Transfer the sage to a paper towel and season lightly with salt.

8. Make the Candied Pecans

Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pecans are glossy and lightly caramelised. Transfer them to parchment paper and allow them to cool so they become crisp.

9. Add the Burrata

Remove the pasta roll-ups from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Tear the burrata into pieces and arrange it over the warm pasta. The heat from the roll-ups will soften the burrata, creating a creamy topping.

10. Finish and Serve

Scatter the crispy sage and candied pecans over the burrata. Drizzle with hot honey and finish with freshly cracked black pepper and a little extra Parmesan. Serve warm while the pasta is creamy, the sage is crisp, and the pecans still have their caramelised crunch.

Why This Recipe Works

The pumpkin and ricotta filling gives these pasta roll-ups a naturally creamy texture and gentle sweetness, while Parmesan, garlic, nutmeg, and sage add savoury depth. Marinara sauce brings brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the cheese and pumpkin.

The toppings are what make this pasta bake especially memorable. Soft burrata adds a creamy finish, crispy sage provides a delicate savoury crunch, and candied pecans bring sweetness and texture. A final drizzle of hot honey ties everything together with a sweet and gently spicy finish.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Pasta Roll-Ups

• Keep the noodles just tender: Avoid overcooking the lasagna noodles because they will continue cooking in the oven.
• Leave a small border: Keeping a little space around the edges of each noodle makes rolling easier and helps prevent the filling from spilling out.
• Do not skip the foil: Covering the dish for the first part of baking helps keep the pasta moist while the filling warms through.
• Crisp the sage gently: Sage leaves can cook quickly, so watch them closely and remove them as soon as they become crisp.
• Cool the pecans: Allow the candied pecans to cool on parchment before scattering them over the pasta so they have time to firm up.
• Add burrata after baking: Placing the burrata on the warm pasta just before serving keeps it soft and creamy rather than fully baked.
• Drizzle the hot honey at the end: Adding it after baking keeps its sweet, spicy flavour fresh and distinct.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these pumpkin pasta roll-ups warm as a complete main course alongside a simple green salad or lightly dressed vegetables. The creamy filling and rich toppings pair especially well with fresh, crisp sides that provide a contrast to the baked pasta.

For a beautiful presentation, serve the roll-ups straight from the baking dish with the burrata spread over the top and the crispy sage and candied pecans scattered generously across the surface. Finish each serving with a little extra Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and hot honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned pumpkin purée?

Yes. Plain pumpkin purée works well for this recipe. Make sure to use unsweetened pumpkin purée rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.

Can I prepare the pasta roll-ups ahead of time?

You can assemble the pasta roll-ups in the baking dish ahead of time and keep them covered until ready to bake. For the best texture, prepare the crispy sage and candied pecans separately and add them after baking.

Can I use a different cheese instead of burrata?

Fresh mozzarella can be used as an alternative if burrata is not available. It will still provide a creamy cheese topping, although burrata has a softer and richer centre.

How do I keep the candied pecans crisp?

Allow the pecans to cool completely on parchment before adding them to the pasta. Adding them just before serving also helps preserve their crisp texture.

Can I make the crispy sage in advance?

Yes. The sage can be fried ahead of time and kept at room temperature until serving. Store it in a dry place so it remains crisp.

Can I adjust the amount of hot honey?

Absolutely. Add more or less hot honey according to your preferred balance of sweetness and heat. You can also drizzle it over individual servings for easier adjustment.

Nutrition & Timing

Details	Amount
Servings	6
Prep Time	25 minutes
Cook Time	40 minutes
Total Time	Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes
Calories	595 kcal
Protein	24 g
Carbohydrates	62 g
Fat	30 g
Fiber	5 g
Sugar	15 g
Sodium	820 mg

Final Thoughts

Roasted Pumpkin Pasta Roll-Ups with Burrata, Crispy Sage, Candied Pecans & Hot Honey bring together everything you want from a comforting baked pasta dish: creamy filling, tender noodles, melted cheese, and plenty of contrasting textures.

The combination of pumpkin, burrata, crispy sage, candied pecans, and hot honey makes this a particularly inviting dish for autumn dinners, cosy weekends, and special meals. Serve it warm with the toppings freshly added for the best combination of creamy, crisp, sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours.

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