Healthy Creamy Pumpkin Sage Pasta with Seared Scallops

Directions

1. OPTIONAL STEP: Fried Sage leaves (this adds a nice touch to the dish visually and for flavor but can be skipped if you want to keep it simple!) Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat. Heat for about 30 seconds then add the 10 sage leaves, watching carefully so they don’t burn. Turn them over after 3-4 minutes, once starting to brown and repeat on the other side. Remove from heat and place the leaves on a piece of paper towel to absorb and excess oil.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water (~1/2 tsp) to a rolling boil. *salting the water adds flavor to the pasta, enhancing the flavor of the dish. Cook according to package directions and be sure to save 1 cup of the cooking water to add to the sauce
3. Meanwhile, Heat another 1 tsp of oil over medium high heat, heat for 30 seconds then add the garlic and shallots. Cook until they become transluscent, stirring so they don’t burn (3-4 minutes)
4. Turn heat to medium low and add the pumpkin puree, stir to combine then add the milk and stir to combine. Remove from heat and stir in the Greek yogurt, stirring to combine.
5. Add the chicken stock powder to the reserved pasta cooking water, add to the sauce and put pan back onto medium-high heat. Let it come to a gentle boil and cook until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
6. While the sauce is thickening, heat the remaining Tbsp. of oil in another pan, over medium high heat. Once heated, about 30 seconds, place the scallops in the pan. Sprinkle generously with sea salt and cracked pepper. Allow the bottom to sear for about 1 minute and then place a lid over the pan for another 2 minutes to let them steam a bit. Flip the scallops once and allow the othe side to sear and finish cooking without the lid, about another 2 minutes. Scallops should be opaque on the inside once cooked.
7. Add the sauce to the pasta noodles and mix well, add the additional chopped sage and plate the pasta.
8. Top with fried sage leaves, shaved parmesan and scallops.