Description

This Creamy Pumpkin Marinara is a comforting and flavorful fall-inspired sauce combining the sweetness of pumpkin with classic Italian herbs and spices. Perfect for pasta, it offers a creamy texture with a subtle hint of cinnamon and a slight tang from balsamic vinegar, making it a unique twist on traditional marinara sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

Spices

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Tomato and Pumpkin

1 can (15 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée

Finishing Touches

1 to 2 tablespoons butter
1 to 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finely grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onions and pepper are very tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the pressed garlic, oregano, tarragon, and cinnamon. Cook while stirring until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Then add the diced or crushed tomatoes and continue cooking for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Incorporate Pumpkin and Simmer: Add the pumpkin purée to the skillet and stir to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
Blend the Sauce: Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Blend until the sauce is very smooth and creamy.
Season and Adjust: Season the sauce generously with freshly ground black pepper and an additional ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste). For an even richer texture, add another tablespoon of butter; for more tang, add another teaspoon of vinegar. Blend again to incorporate these additions.
Serve: Stir the creamy pumpkin marinara into warm cooked pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

This pumpkin marinara is a perfect fall-inspired alternative to traditional tomato sauce with comforting and creamy texture.
It pairs wonderfully with your favorite pasta, making it a lighter but rich meal.
Recipe yields approximately 4 cups of sauce, enough to generously coat 12 ounces (4 modest servings) of pasta.
Adjust butter and vinegar amounts based on your preference for richness and tanginess.
Parmesan and parsley garnish are optional but add great freshness and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (enough for 3 to 4 ounces of pasta, pasta and garnishes not included)
Calories: 156
Sugar: 7.4 g
Sodium: 354.1 mg
Fat: 10.5 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Fiber: 5.4 g
Protein: 2.4 g
Cholesterol: 7.6 mg