Description

Creamy Pumpkin Bolognese is a rich, comforting twist on the classic meat sauce, made with savory ground meat, crushed tomatoes, and velvety pumpkin puree. It’s the perfect fall pasta dish—cozy, hearty, and full of warm, balanced flavors.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium carrot, grated or finely chopped

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce

1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

12 oz cooked pasta (fettuccine, rigatoni, or pappardelle)

Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and grated carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Pour in crushed tomatoes. Stir in Italian seasoning, nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until sauce thickens.
Stir in pumpkin puree and heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until creamy and smooth.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Toss with hot cooked pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Add a splash of white wine before simmering for extra depth.

For a spicy kick, include red pepper flakes.

Use lentils or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

To make it dairy-free, substitute coconut milk for cream.

Freezes well—cool completely before storing in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 520
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 640mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 80mg