Description
Creamy Pumpkin Marinara is a comforting fall-inspired sauce that combines the rich flavors of pumpkin purée, tomatoes, and warming spices. This velvety sauce, enhanced with butter and balsamic vinegar, pairs perfectly with pasta for a lighter yet indulgent meal full of vegetable goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Base
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried tarragon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 to 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper
For Garnish (Optional)
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
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 of salt. Cook while stirring often until the vegetables are very tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Tomato: Stir in the garlic, dried oregano, dried tarragon, and ground cinnamon. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the diced or crushed tomatoes and continue cooking for 1 minute, stirring to combine.
- Incorporate Pumpkin and Simmer: Add the pumpkin purée to the skillet and stir well to blend. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes. Then remove the skillet from heat.
- Blend Sauce: Carefully transfer the vegetable mixture into a blender. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Blend until the sauce is very smooth and creamy.
- Season and Adjust: Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. For a richer texture, add an additional tablespoon of butter or for more tanginess, add another teaspoon of vinegar. Blend again to incorporate.
- Serve: Stir the creamy pumpkin marinara into warm cooked pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- This sauce captures the essence of fall with comforting pumpkin and warming spices.
- Perfect to serve with pasta, yielding about 4 cups of sauce – enough for 4 modest servings or about 12 ounces of pasta.
- Adjust butter and vinegar amounts to taste for creaminess or acidity.
- Optional garnishes add extra flavor and presentation appeal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (sauce only, enough for 3 to 4 ounces of pasta)
- 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
