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–+ servings
pumpkin beef bolognese

Pumpkin Beef Bolognese

Anna Chwistek
A comforting pumpkin bolognese featuring a hearty meat sauce with tender pumpkin chunks, served over pasta and topped with ricotta. Despite its rich flavors, it's surprisingly easy to make with just one pan, making it the perfect comfort food for any night of the week.
4.65 from 17 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 833 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 14 ounces pasta
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 celery stalk finely chopped
  • 4 cups diced pumpkin with skin, seeded (like hokkaido pumpkin/red kuri squash)
  • 1 small or 1/2 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 stock or chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups puréed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • fresh thyme for serving
  • chili flakes for serving

Whipped ricotta (optional)

  • 5 tbsp ricotta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp grated parmesan
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan or Dutch oven. Add onion, garlic and celery, cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
  • Add the pumpkin cubes, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add fennel, cook for 5 minutes more.
  • Turn the heat up to high, add ground beef and break it up a little with a wooden spoon. Turn the heat back down to medium and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through.
  • Stir in the spices, season with salt and pepper. Add beef stock and bay leaf, simmer for 10 minutes. Then add the tomato purée and tomato paste. Cover, simmer for 10 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.
  • In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions.
  • Serve plates of pasta with the sauce and ricotta spooned over top. Add a sprinkle of chili flakes and thyme. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 833kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 45gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 367mgPotassium: 988mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 401IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 6mg
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