Silky, indulgent, and just a little naughty – this recipe gives your seasonal pumpkin craving a much-needed French twist. Our Mornay-inspired pumpkin sauce uses sautéed shallots, creamy Gruyère, and a decadent L’Epicurien Pumpkin & Truffle Spread (the secret ingredient in our October 2025 box). Paired with a classic penne and some crispy toppings, each bite is rich, velvety, and made for maximum mouthfeel.
And for dessert? Well… we thought our October 2025 box subscribers might want to give TikTok’s latest fad a try. Flintts Mouthwatering Mints were originally designed to increase saliva production for dry mouth — but the internet quickly discovered they could be used for a few other things too. Pop one to make your mouth “sparkle”… and get ready for a little extra fun tonight.
What You’ll Need to Set the Mood
- For the pasta and sauce:
- 1lb Please Send Noods Penne
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium shallot, finely minced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 jar (3.5 oz) L’Epicurien Pumpkin & Truffle Spread
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 large egg yolk, tempered with 2 Tbsp pasta water (optional)
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the optional toppings:
- 4–8 oz diced pancetta
- 4–8 oz diced cremini mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- For the rest of the night:
- Date Night Surprise: Flintts Mouthwatering Mints – Cinnamon Ginger
- Musical Mood-Setter: Our Al Dente-Approved Playlist
Let’s Get Saucy: Step-by-Step
1. Crisp It Up
Prep your preferred toppings, sautéing diced pancetta, mushrooms, or both over medium-high heat until golden and crisp; set aside.
🔥 Hot Tip: Golden Goodies
For that perfectly golden crisp, don’t overcrowd the pan and work in batches if needed. Pancetta releases its own fat, and mushrooms are best cooked in a single layer with a little oil and minimal flips in the pan.
2. Get Steamy
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and add the penne once it’s bubbling. Let the steam (and anticipation) rise as you cue up our playlist timed for al dente perfection (about 12 minutes).
3. Build the Base
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, add shallots until translucent, then whisk in flour until lightly browned.
🔥 Hot Tip: Know your Roux
Look for a subtle golden hue and a nutty, sweet aroma — that’s the green light your roux is ready for milk.
4. Swirl ‘til Creamy
Pour milk into the pan with a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg, slowly whisking together until thickened (about 5–8 minutes).
🔥 Hot Tip: Coat that Spoon
The base of every Mornay sauce is actually another French favorite, Béchamel. You’ll know it’s ready when it thickly coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clean line if you swipe your finger through it.
5. Truffle it Up
Stir in the entire jar of L’Epicurien Pumpkin & Truffle Spread, then gradually fold in small handfuls of the grated Gruyère until fully melted.
🔥 Hot Tip: Keep it French and Dairy Free
This recipe still works great with vegan and dairy-free alternatives. Swap the butter for a combination of oil and nutritional yeast, dairy milk for an oat or almond milk, and the Gruyère cheese with plant-based cream cheese or shredded cashew cheese.
6. Make (Optional) Egg Yolk Magic
Remove the pan from the heat, and mix in the egg yolk (tempered with 2 Tbsp hot pasta water first) for extra creaminess.
🔥 Hot Tip: Temper Like a Pro
Slowly whisk a bit of hot water into the yolk before adding it to the pan to prevent curdling. Totally optional, but this is what gives the Bèchamel sauce base its silkier and richer Mornay glow up.
7. Finish with a Silky Toss
Toss hot penne into the sauce, and after a few flips in the pan, sprinkle with as many spoonfuls of pancetta, mushrooms, and chives as desired.
8. Pop and Play
If your mouth isn’t already watering, pop a Flintts Mint, have a good laugh, and let more than just your taste buds tingle tonight...
Want More Where That Came From?
If this recipe got you all hot and saucy, don’t stop now — join Please Send Noods to get more cheeky recipes, premium small-batch pasta, and other flirty extras delivered right to your door every month.