Description
This quick and easy weeknight pumpkin ragu pasta is the perfect cozy homemade dinner! Made with a flavorful ingredient list like onions, garlic, carrots, canned pumpkin, tomatoes, and ground beef. Pair this easy-to-make sauce with your favorite gluten free pasta for a fancy dinner in!
Ingredients
Scale
For the pumpkin ragu
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium sized onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 25 ounce jar store bought marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta of choice
To garnish
- parmesan cheese or dairy free parmesan cheese
- parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and carrots and sauté until soft and starting to caramelize – about 10-12 minutes. Don’t skip giving this step enough time – the caramelization of the onions and carrots creates a super dynamic flavor base for the ragu!
- Once the veggies are nice and caramelized, add garlic, thyme, and chili flakes and sauté another minute or so, until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or turkey, and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper.
- Cook the meat, breaking up with the spatula until cooked through. I like to leave the fat in the sauce for flavor and lushness, but at this point you could drain some of it off if you like.
- Add the pumpkin puree and jar of marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat so the sauce is at a bare simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors have deepened.
- While the sauce simmers cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- When your pasta is ready and drained, add vinegar to the ragu and simmer another minute or two. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as desired.
- Toss your cooked pasta with the sauce and serve garnished with freshly grated parmesan (or dairy free parmesan) and a sprinkle of parsley if desired!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Italian