Fall is here, and it’s time to bring out the pumpkin recipes! For those of you that don’t know, pumpkin is my favorite fall flavor.
Pumpkin is a yummy ingredient that is not only utterly delicious but is also rich in vitamins A, C, & E, beta-carotene, potassium, iron, folate, lutein, and fiber. So, when I saw adorable zucchette pasta at Trader Joe’s, I was instantly inspired to make a spicy pumpkin arrabbiata sauce to go with it, because they look like tiny pumpkins.
Aren’t these little zucchette pastas the cutest!?
I wanted to contrast the sweet flavor of the pumpkin puree with a spicy arrabbiata sauce that was of ‘course full of colorful veggies. I used canned pumpkin puree and marinara sauce to make this recipe quick and simple.
Serve this beautiful pasta with your choice of protein and a side salad to make a balanced meal. Continue reading below to see the full recipe so that you can make this delicious spicy pumpkin arrabbiata zucchette pasta yourself.
Spicy Pumpkin Arrabbiata Zucchette Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 bell peppers
- 1/2 yellow onion medium
- 25 oz pasta sauce I prefer to use one that is either low sodium or no salt added
- 1/2 can pumpkin puree 7.5 oz
- 14 oz Zucchette pasta
- 1 tbsp garlic crushed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes add more or less depending on spice preferences
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Add cinnamon, cloves, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add zucchette pasta and gently stir. Follow instructions on bag until pasta is al dente (mine took longer than written to be done, about 10 minutes).
- While pasta is cooking, add the pumpkin puree and pasta sauce to the pot with the bell peppers and spices. Stir, cover, and simmer on low heat.
- Once pasta is done, drain and return to large pot. Next, slowly combine the sauce with the pasta, being careful not to break the zucchette apart.
- Serve with your choice of protein and a dinner salad.
Hi, I'm Elora! I'm a registered dietitian who helps others improve their relationship with food, their bodies, and their health so that they can shine bright again.