This Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce is ready in under 30 minutes and is a great way to enjoy a meatless meal any day of the week.
♪ Start spreading the news…it’s pumpkin season.
I want to be a part of it…pumpkin, pumpkin ♫
As you can probably tell, what I love most about fall is that it’s perfectly acceptable to add pumpkin to everything, including song lyrics! Um, I mean…tomato sauce! 🙂
We’ve seriously gone pumpkin crazy over here in the Hall house, cooking and baking with canned pumpkin puree like it’s the best thing since sliced bread! Um, well…it kinda is! 😉
After making my Creamy Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta, I decided I wanted to make another pasta dish using pumpkin, but this time with a tomato-based sauce.
The result? A thick and creamy sauce without adding any dairy that has just enough pumpkin without overpowering the tomato-y flavor. It also happens to be vegan, gluten-free, grain-free and contains no added sugar.
What Kind of Pasta Pairs Well with this Pumpkin Tomato Sauce?
I decided to pair this Pumpkin Tomato Sauce with a red lentil penne by Barilla. This pasta is both gluten-free and grain-free (made with one ingredient – red lentil flour) and boasts 13 grams of protein per 2-ounce serving. The sweet and nutty flavor of the lentil pasta perfectly compliments this hearty sauce.
You could also pair this sauce with another protein-packed lentil pasta, such as Felicia (made with 100% red lentil flour), Chickapea (which is a combination of organic red lentil flour and organic chickpea flour), Explore Cuisine (not grain-free as it combines organic red lentil flour with organic brown rice flour), or Modern Table (also not grain-free combining red lentil flour with pea protein and white rice).
I also think this sauce would work with spiralized sweet potato noodles or even zucchini noodles. It’s also a great way to add a fall-inspired twist to pizza night!
Learn How to Make it
To make this Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce, start by heating olive oil over medium heat. Add diced shallot and cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shallot becomes translucent.
Next add crushed tomatoes, pumpkin puree, parsley, oregano, nutmeg and kosher salt.
Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on medium to medium-low for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes before removing the cover, as the sauce will splatter as it cooks due to the thickness.
Stir well before serving. Garnish as desired with your favorite toppings such as fresh herbs, crushed red pepper, vegan Parmesan cheese or non-vegan grated cheese if you’re not vegan.
Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce [Gluten-Free, Vegan, No Sugar Added]
This Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce is ready in under 30 minutes and is a great way to enjoy a meatless meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp diced shallot
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
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Start by heating olive oil over medium heat in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan.
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Add diced shallot and cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shallot becomes translucent.
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Add crushed tomatoes, pumpkin puree, parsley, oregano, nutmeg and kosher salt. Stir to combine.
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Cover and cook on medium to medium-low for 20 minutes.
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Turn off the heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes before removing the cover as the sauce will splatter as it cooks due to the thickness. Stir well before serving. Serve and garnish as desired.
Recipe Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Please note "kosher salt to taste" was not included in the nutrition calculation for this recipe.
So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below. And if you make this recipe, tag @watchlearneat in your photos on Instagram. 🙂
PIN IT FOR LATER
Want more pumpkin? Try one of these recipes next:
- Creamy Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta [Gluten-Free, Vegetarian]
- Pumpkin Risotto [Gluten-Free with Vegetarian Option]
- Pumpkin Pie Hummus [Gluten-Free, Vegan]
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Love the idea of adding pumpkin puree to tomato sauce for pasta. Never tried that but need to!
Thanks Jacqueline! It adds a nice flavor to it. 🙂
Sounds like a tasty twist on your classic tomato sauce.
Yes, thanks so much, Caroline!
I bet the addition of the pumpkin really amps up the richness factor. That plate of pasta looks so tempting. I wish I had some for lunch right now!
Thanks Lisa! Wish I could send you some 🙂
What a great way to use up leftover pumpkin! I love this, such a great twist on a classic dish.
Yes, we have lots of pumpkin over here! Thanks Cliona!
I never would have thought to create a pumpkin tomato sauce but this sounds delicious and perfect for fall. Love discovering new recipes 🙂
Thanks so much, Ali! 🙂
I like the combination of the tomato and pumpkin in this sauce. Looks so thick and creamy.
Thanks so much, Dawn! 🙂
What a great idea to add pumpkin to the sauce. This is extra thick and creamy and all around amazing!
Thank you Carrie! 🙂
The sauce has such a thick and hearty texture to it! So perfect for the fall!!!
Thanks Kelly! 🙂
I remember that last pasta post using pumpkin, and I remember being super intrigued by that one. Well, you did it again! I love pasta sauce, and the addition of pumpkin here sounds really cool. In my head, it would be a little bit like vodka sauce since it’s sweeter? This one is perfect for these busy weeknights! Thanks for sharing this fun one, Sherri!
Thanks David! Funny you brought up vodka sauce…I thought about adding vodka to it since it kind of reminded me of it too. 🙂 Yay for pumpkin!
Such a great idea to add pumpkin to tomato sauce! I’ve been adding pumpkin to most of my bakes and salads this year, but would never think of adding some to the tomato sauce! Saving this one for sure to try very soon!
Thank you Anna! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I actually really enjoy this brand of red lentil noodles and will try them with your pumpkin tomato sauce next time! The perfect fall recipe – with plenty of parm on top per favore!
Thanks Kiki! Definitely need that parm on top! 🙂 Hope you enjoy the sauce!
Yes, please! Why does everything have to have sugar in it! This pumpkin tomato sauce looks like it’s be great with my favorite gluten-free noodles!!
Agreed Anna! There’s definitely no need for the sugar in this sauce. Thanks so much!
This pumpkin tomato sauce sounds absolutely delicious on top of the red lentil pasta. I think pumpkin always makes the creamiest addition to sauce and provides a fantastic flavor balance with the acidity of the tomatoes.
Thank you Jenni! Yay for pumpkin power! 🙂
I love this sauce! I would have never thought to put pumpkin and tomato together, but I bet it tastes delicious!
Yes, it works so well together! Thank you Anne! 🙂
Drooling. This sauce looks so delicious. Can’t wait to try your recipe.
Thanks Sri! Hope you enjoy it!
Such a great idea adding the pumpkin to the tomato sauce. Must give that a try!
Thanks Vanessa! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
I don’t use pumpkin so much in savory dishes but this combination seems really well balanced and delicious! I will be trying for sure!
Thanks so much, Holly! Hope you enjoy it!
Adding this to my list of must make recipes. It would be perfect for any night of the week.
Thank you Jacque! Enjoy! 🙂