Step 1

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the whole sage leaves. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sage begins to curl, then use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the sage from the butter. (Use the fried sage leaves as a garnish for your finished pizza or pasta dish.)

Step 2

Stir in the pumpkin, garlic, cream, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and grated cheese (if using). Stir until the sauce is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or cream. Taste and season with a pinch or two of salt.

Step 3

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir the hot sauce into cooked pasta; let the sauce cool to about room temperature before spreading on raw pizza dough.