Pumpkin Burrata Baked Ziti Golden-Dusk (Print Version)

Cozy pasta with creamy pumpkin, burrata, and golden cheese—perfect for autumn nights and family gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 pound ziti pasta

→ Pumpkin Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 cups unsweetened pumpkin purée
06 - 1 cup vegetable broth
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1 teaspoon dried sage
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese and Topping

13 - 9 ounces burrata cheese (2 medium balls)
14 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add pumpkin purée, vegetable broth, and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until smooth and bring to a simmer.
05 - Mix in Parmesan, nutmeg, sage, and chili flakes if desired. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, adjusting seasoning to taste. Remove from heat.
06 - In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with the pumpkin sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
07 - Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Tear one burrata ball over the pasta and scatter half of the remaining mozzarella on top.
08 - Layer the rest of the pasta mixture over, tear the second burrata ball on top, and finish with the remaining mozzarella and all the grated Parmesan.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
10 - Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry and fridge staples
  • Extra comforting but easy to assemble
  • Excellent for making ahead or meal prep
  • Crowd-pleasing for vegetarians and omnivores
02 -
  • Loaded with fiber vitamin A and calcium
  • Makes amazing leftovers and reheats beautifully
  • Festive choice for both weeknights and special dinners
03 -
  • Let your burrata come to room temperature before tearing so it spreads beautifully and does not seize cold in the oven
  • For the richest flavors always grate your own Parmesan right before using and add a small pinch of nutmeg for magic
  • Keep an eye near the end of baking and if you love deeply golden cheese finish under the broiler for thirty to sixty seconds but watch closely
  • Success with baked ziti recipes comes down to not skimping on seasoning and letting the dish rest briefly before serving which helps clean squares hold their shape Freezer meal conversion is easy and the best reward is cozying up with a bubbling pan straight from the oven on a chilly night

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