Description
This comforting Pasta Bake with Pumpkin Tomato Sauce combines tender pasta with a creamy, slightly sweet pumpkin-infused tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy, warming dish perfect for fall and vegetarian-friendly meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until just under al dente, as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Make sauce: Stir in pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Season with dried thyme, basil, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce in the skillet to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Cool and garnish: Let the pasta bake cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired to add freshness and color.
Notes
- For added protein, incorporate cooked sausage or ground turkey into the sauce before baking.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Dairy-free cheese alternatives work well to make this dish suitable for those avoiding dairy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
