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pumpkin bolognese with pasta shells served with garlic bread and a caesar salad

Pumpkin Bolognese

A tomato-free, high protein bolognese made with canned pumpkin and lean ground beef.
4.60 from 5 votes
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 185kcal
Author: Mason Woodruff

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 medium Onions diced
  • 3 medium 180g Carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 Celery Ribs diced
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 1 1/2 cup Dry White Wine*
  • 2 cups Skim Milk**
  • 30 oz can Pure Pumpkin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • More Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper. Sweat the veggies, stirring often, until softened but not browned, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef and break apart to fully cook.
  • Add the white wine and cook until very little liquid remains, another 8-10 minutes.
  • Reduce to a low heat before adding the pumpkin, milk, and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes (or longer) to allow flavors to develop. Salt and pepper to taste before serving. (I added about 1 tsp of additional salt.)
  • Serve with your choice of pasta, freshly grated parmesan or Pecorino Romano, and fresh parsley.

Notes

*The alcohol will cook out of the wine, but you can use sparkling grape juice for a non-alcoholic bolognese.
**Use half and half if you're not calorie-conscious.
To serve, cook your pasta of choice, add the bolognese to a pan over medium-low heat, add the cooked pasta (and maybe a few tablespoons of pasta water), and toss together.
Favorite pasta choices include: cauliflower gnocchi bolognese, hearts of palm lasagna sheets and noodles, fettuccine bolognese with Carba-nada noodles, chickpea and lentil pastas, and protein pastas
Search "Mason Woodruff Pumpkin Bolognese" to log in MyFitnessPal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup (about 8 oz) | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 5g