Creamy Pumpkin Sausage Pasta with Sage (30-Minute Fall Dinner)

Ingredients

• 12 oz Short, tubular pasta (Rigatoni, Penne, or Orecchiette)
• 1 lb Sweet or Mild Italian Sausage, casing removed
• 1 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 1 large Shallot, finely diced (or ½ small onion)
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Sage, chopped
• 1 cup (8 oz) Canned Pumpkin Purée (NOT pie filling)
• ½ cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
• ½ cup Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
• ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
• To taste Salt and Black Pepper
• ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
• Pinch (optional) Crushed Red Pepper Flakes