Description
Pumpkin Beef Bolognese is a cozy twist on the classic Italian ragù, blending rich ground beef, sweet pumpkin, and aromatic herbs into a comforting, soul-warming pasta sauce perfect for fall evenings.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons – Used to sauté the base vegetables and build flavor.
- Yellow Onion: 1 medium, diced – Adds sweetness and depth.
- Carrot: 1 large, diced – Provides natural sweetness and body.
- Celery: 1 stalk, diced – Adds a subtle bitterness that rounds out the sauce.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced – Gives the sauce aromatic warmth.
- Ground Beef: 500 grams (about 1.1 lbs) – The hearty base of the sauce.
- Pumpkin: 2 cups, peeled and cubed – Adds sweetness and a creamy texture.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons – Intensifies the tomato flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes: 400 ml (about 1 ½ cups) – The main tomato component.
- Beef Broth: 1 cup – Adds depth and helps the sauce simmer smoothly.
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon – Herbal flavor that complements both meat and pumpkin.
- Bay Leaf: 1 – Adds subtle background aroma.
- Salt and Black Pepper: to taste – Essential for balance.
- Pasta: 400 grams – Acts as the comforting carrier for the sauce.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: for serving – Adds a salty, nutty finish.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: optional, for garnish – Adds a bright, fresh touch.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Have your pasta water heating in a separate pot.
- Combine Ingredients: Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: If using fresh pumpkin, add it now and sauté for 2–3 minutes to begin softening. Stir in tomato paste and mix well.
- Assemble the Dish: Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Add oregano and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is tender and the sauce is thickened.
- Finishing Touches: Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Cook pasta until al dente, then toss with the sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate pasta with generous spoonfuls of sauce. Top with Parmesan and herbs. Serve hot.
Notes
- Simmer low and slow for best flavor.
- If the sauce gets too thick, thin it with a splash of pasta water or broth.
- Roast the pumpkin first for more caramelized sweetness.
- Don’t skip the Parmesan — it’s the perfect finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: pumpkin beef bolognese, fall pasta recipe, pumpkin pasta sauce, easy bolognese with pumpkin, ground beef pasta