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Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Shells Bolognese Bake…the perfect warming dinner to welcome the start of autumn. It’s the coziest pumpkin pasta bake! Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with pumpkin, cheese, and fresh sage. Then baked in a spicy Bolognese style red sauce that’s saucy, a touch spicy, creamy, and so delicious! This is a great fall pasta to serve any night of the week, or for your next gathering with family or friends.
And just like that, we have our very first pumpkin recipe of the fall season! Did I think the first pumpkin recipe would be a savory one? No, but it’s ok because we have something sweet coming tomorrow. You guys, I am so excited it’s fall!
I touched on this a bit yesterday, but this fall feels even more special than years past. I think we can all agree that this year has been weird, to say the least. It started out amazing with the HBH Super Simple cookbook tour still going strong and then things just, ahh…went weird. And at times definitely difficult. But hopefully we’re all making it through. And because of the very bizarre year we’ve had, this fall just feels like it’s going to be good.
I’m excited to actually be home this fall and not traveling from one place to the next. Sure I love a busy fall travel season, but I can also love a fall cozied-up at home even more. So you see, my mind is full of so many cozy fall recipes…including plenty of new pumpkin recipes.
And it’s all starts with this bolognese bake.
The story.
Oh, this bake. It started out as something completely different, but somehow, someway, my mind turned it into this delicious bake you’re looking at today.
Originally there was no pumpkin, no pasta shell noodles, and instead, there was really just Bolognese sauce baked with pasta. But guys, this felt boring. It needed something more. Something to make it special enough for this time of year (yes, I’m cheesy, go with me on this). So then I kept thinking…and thinking. Once I really start to think on a recipe, there’s just no stopping my brain.
I toss around idea after idea until I land on something I LOVE.
After a good amount of thinking, I finally came to this bake. It’s nothing close to your average pasta bake, but it sure is delicious.
The details.
This one is simple. But you do need some time to allow the sauce to simmer, and then for the pasta to bake. No more than an hour though, so this still makes for a great weeknight dinner.
To start, make the spicy, saucy, creamy, Bolognese sauce. This sauce is so good. Actually, in my dad’s words, “THIS SAUCE IS SO GOOD”. That’s coming from a man who’s constantly telling me he does not like meat sauces. So you should know…this one is special. It’s a simple mix of ground chicken (or ground beef), herbs, and spices. The key is to use a touch of fennel seeds and a bit of smoky paprika to really add some flavor. Next toss in some jarred tomatoes and a splash of white wine. Then let the sauce simmer for a bit to thicken up.
While the sauce simmers, make the stuffed shells. These sells are almost too good…warming pumpkin, fontina cheese, and fresh chopped sage. All stuffed into a pasta shell. Nothing not to love here.
I also added a little crumbled blue cheese, which I love. But if you’re one of those people who despise blue cheese, just omit it.
Ok, next, snuggle the pumpkin stuffed shells right into the Bolognese sauce, then top with provolone, and bake until the pasta is golden and the cheese has melted.
Hello to cheesy, pumpkiny pasta perfection.
This is one of the best dishes to come out of my kitchen as of late. That is a bold statement, but you guys, these stuffed shells are the perfect fall comfort food. Every last bite is a delicious one. My whole family really loved this meal.
I know it may seem a little odd to use pumpkin in such a savory way, but go with me on this one. The pumpkin lends a creaminess to the stuffed shells while providing a hint of both sweetness and autumn flavors. And when paired with that hearty Bolognese sauce?
Beyond delicious! Please give this one a try! You’ll love it, and your family will love you for making it!
Looking for other fall pasta recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Pumpkin Cauliflower Gnocchi with Nutty Browned Butter and Whipped Ricotta
Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara with Rosemary Bacon
Slow Cooker Red Wine Sunday Ragù Pasta
Brown Butter Brussels Sprout and Bacon Ravioli
Lastly, if you make this pumpkin cheese stuffed pasta shell bolognese bake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shell Bolognese Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3/4 pound lean ground chicken or beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons fennel seed
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 pound jumbo shells
- 1 (14 ounce) can pumpkin pureé
- 2-3 cups shredded fontina cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup provolone cheese, cubed
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or a dish of similar size.2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook 3-5 minutes. Add the meat, garlic, oregano, fennel, paprika, red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the marinara and wine. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions.4. In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, fontina, blue cheese (if using), sage, nutmeg, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. 5. To assemble, spoon 3/4 of the Bolognese sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Working with one pasta shell at a time, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the pumpkin cheese mix into each shell, placing the filled shell into the baking dish as you go. Spoon the remaining Bolognese sauce over top of the shells. Add the provolone. 6. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake 20-25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is lightly browned on top. Serve topped with fresh oregano.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Tieghan – you are pure brilliant. After having leftover pumpkin puree from your delicious pumpkin chai muffins – I began exploring your site for other pumpkin meals and came across this gem. This flavour combination makes this one of the best recipes ever! No changes needed! Your site and your cookbooks are never a disappointment – it pleases any palette of any age.
You are too sweet! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Sabina! xTieghan
Loved these! I’ve never combined pumpkin and pasta but it was sooo good with the fall spices and lots of cheese! Plus it made so much food! We had leftovers for days and froze half of them for a future easy dinner.
Thank you so much Taylor!! xTieghan
A perfect dish for Fall. I used grated Mozzarella and Parmesan instead of the cheese called for in the recipe as that was all I had on hand and it still turned out great. I will be making this recipe again!
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Kaala! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Delicious! Made this for my family and everyone loved it!!
Thank you Lily! I am really happy to hear that! xTieghan
I’m making this tonight for my pumpkin-obsessed husband for his birthday and can’t wait! Only thing is I couldn’t find shells anywhere, so I’m making this dish as a lasagna instead. Any tips on assembly and how long to bake? Thanks so much!
Hey Hannah,
I would just follow the recipe as is! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
This was SO GOOD. I think I put too much blue cheese in, but still delicious! I’ll have to make it at least once more this fall!
Thank you Laura! xTieghan
I made this recipe yesterday and it turned out so good! I thought it would take a long time but it came together quickly which was really nice! I used good quality shells and marinara sauce which I think helped. The blue cheese was an awesome touch. I think I went a little light on the sage, I was using ground instead of fresh so wasn’t sure how to calculate. I like how subtle the pumpkin was and the fontina cheese was amazing. I will definitely be making this again!
Hi Monika! I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan
Thank you Tieghan for this delightfully delicious recipe! My family loved it including my 3 yr old. I wrinkled my nose at the blue cheese and fennel seeds, but fully trusted the recipe and do not regret. Pumpkin stuff can often be bland but this has so much flavor! Fun, autumnal, cozy and wonderful. I just love all your recipes – you are such an inspiration.
I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you, Lauren! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Made this twice already for family and friends and everyone loves it! Many were taking 2nds and 3rds 🙂 This one will be on repeat this fall/winter.
Wow yes! That is so amazing to hear! xTieghan
Just had my first bite…wow! This tastes like it was simmering and cooking much longer than it was! I didn’t have any shells at my local TJs, so I decided to make this into a ziti. Highly recommend! Threw it all over some arugula for greens and texture. Thank you for another approachable yet delicious recipe!
Thank you Nancy! I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe! xTieghan
This was amazing! And easier than I expected! So tasty!
Thank you so much Miranda! xTieghan
I made this for dinner tonight. It was wonderful!!! Thank you for this delicious recipe. It’s a keeper!!
Thank you so much Kathy! xTieghan
This dish is absolutely delicious! My husband also loved it and he is a pretty solid marinara/ricotta shells kind of guy. This is a keeper and it is easy too. Thank you! Obsessed with your recipes!
Thank you so much Cydner! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Is there a way to make this a vegetarian dish?
Hey Jenn,
Sure just simply omit the meat. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! Made this last night and it was easy and delicious! I used ground turkey and roasted/pureed a Kabocha squash to go that extra mile. 🙂 One note – I do think the amount of pasta the recipe called for was too much. Barilla pasta shells come in a 12oz box – I made 16oz but it was too much. Not enough space in the casserole nor filling for 16oz of pasta. I think 1 box should be just right.
Thank you so much Lauren! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan