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Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce [Vegan, Gluten-Free, No Sugar Added]

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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. 
Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce


♪ 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! 🙂

Easy Pumpkin 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.

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

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.

Easy Pumpkin Tomato 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.

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

Next add crushed tomatoes, pumpkin puree, parsley, oregano, nutmeg and kosher salt.

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

Stir to combine.

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

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. 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

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce
5 from 16 votes
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Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

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. 

Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword dairy-free, gluten free, grain-free, pumpkin, tomato sauce, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 5 people
Calories 120 kcal
Author Sherri Hall

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

  1. Start by heating olive oil over medium heat. 

  2. Add diced shallot and cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shallot becomes translucent.

  3. Add crushed tomatoes, pumpkin puree, parsley, oregano, nutmeg and kosher salt. Stir to combine.

  4. Cover and cook on medium to medium-low for 20 minutes. 

  5. 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

Please note "kosher salt to taste" was not included in the nutrition calculation.

Nutrition Facts
Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 9%
Sodium 213mg 9%
Potassium 579mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 8g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin A 159.3%
Vitamin C 20.6%
Calcium 6.7%
Iron 15.7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Easy Pumpkin Tomato Sauce

Want more pumpkin? Try one of these recipes next:

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. 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!

    Reply

  5. I never would have thought to create a pumpkin tomato sauce but this sounds delicious and perfect for fall. Love discovering new recipes 🙂

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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!!

    Reply

  13. 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.

    Reply

  17. 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!

    Reply

  18. Adding this to my list of must make recipes. It would be perfect for any night of the week.

    Reply

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