Description
Pumpkin Beef Bolognese is a hearty twist on the classic Italian dish that blends savory ground beef with tender pumpkin chunks, resulting in a rich and flavorful sauce. This comforting recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, offering satisfying flavors that warm the soul. With just one pan required for cooking, you’ll enjoy not only delicious bites but also minimal cleanup afterward. Serve it over your favorite pasta or use it as a filling for stuffed vegetables to keep mealtime exciting. Packed with protein and nutrients, this dish is a family-friendly option that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 ounces pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 4 cups diced pumpkin
- 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and diced
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried marjoram
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
- 1.75 cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cups puréed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- fresh thyme (for serving)
- chili flakes (for serving)
- 5 tbsp ricotta
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for serving)
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan
- salt (to taste, for serving)
- black pepper (to taste, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallots, garlic, and celery; cook until softened.
- Stir in diced pumpkin; cook for about 5 minutes before adding the fennel. Cook an additional 3 minutes.
- Increase heat to high and add ground beef; break it up and cook until browned.
- Stir in herbs, spices, salt, and pepper; add broth and bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Mix in puréed tomatoes and tomato paste; cover and simmer for another 10 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions while the sauce simmers.
- Serve pasta topped with Pumpkin Beef Bolognese sauce and garnish with ricotta and fresh herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-pan cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg