Description
Experience the comforting warmth of autumn with this delightful Pumpkin Beef Bolognese. This hearty dish offers a unique twist on traditional bolognese by blending ground beef with tender pumpkin, creating a rich and flavorful sauce perfect for your favorite pasta. With just one pot required, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Topped with creamy ricotta and fresh herbs, it’s a family-friendly meal that will impress everyone at the dinner table. Quick to prepare and packed with seasonal flavors, Pumpkin Beef Bolognese is sure to become a favorite in your home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 ounces pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 cups diced pumpkin (like hokkaido or red kuri squash)
- 1 small or ½ large 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 ¾ cups beef broth (or chicken or vegetable 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
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallots, garlic, and celery; cook until soft.
- Stir in diced pumpkin and fennel; cook for another few minutes.
- Increase heat to high, add ground beef, and brown it thoroughly.
- Season with thyme, sage, marjoram, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir in broth and bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes before adding tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions while the sauce simmers.
- Serve pasta topped with the bolognese sauce, garnished with ricotta and fresh herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg