Description
Pumpkin Beef Bolognese is a cozy twist on the classic meat sauce. Made with sweet pumpkin, aromatic herbs, and ground beef, it’s the perfect comforting dish for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
14 ounces pasta (your choice)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
4 cups diced pumpkin (use hokkaido or red kuri squash)
1/2 large or 1 small fennel bulb, diced
1.5 pounds ground beef
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp chili flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 ¾ cups beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
1 bay leaf
3 cups puréed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
Fresh thyme, for garnish
5 tbsp ricotta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp grated parmesan
Extra chili flakes, for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large saucepan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat. Sauté shallots, garlic, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add diced pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes until it begins to soften.
3. Stir in diced fennel and cook for 3 more minutes.
4. Add ground beef, increase heat to high, and break it up with a spoon. Lower heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes until browned.
5. Season with thyme, sage, marjoram, smoked paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour in broth and add bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add puréed tomatoes and tomato paste. Cover and simmer another 10 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
8. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
9. Drain pasta and serve with sauce. Top with ricotta, chili flakes, thyme, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
You can substitute ground beef with turkey or lentils for a lighter version.
For extra heat, double the chili flakes.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg