About the Recipe
A pinch of sweet and a dash of spice compliment the smokey chipotle elements of this autumn-inspired marinara sauce. Keep it chunky or blend it to a smooth perfection, however you prefer.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp thyme
1 tsp ground cinnamon, more to taste
1/4 tsp chipotle powder, more or less depending on desired spice level
1/4 tsp ground all spice
Sprinkle ground nutmeg, more to taste
Sprinkle chili flakes
Sprinkle salt
Sprinkle black pepper
15 oz fire roasted tomatoes, diced
10-15 oz pumpkin puree - NOT to be confused with pumpkin pie puree
1/2 to 1 cup chicken bone broth, low sodium
1/2 cup shredded cheese of choice (I prefer gouda, but most will probably opt for parm), more for topping
Optional: Fresh basil
Instructions
Step 1
Heat a large pot over medium heat, make sure it has a lid that fits the top for later. Add olive oil and onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until onions become translucent.
Step 2
Once fully cooked, add brown sugar, basil, paprika, thyme, cinnamon, chipotle powder, all spice, nutmeg, chili flakes, and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 3
Add fire roasted tomatoes and pumpkin puree. The recipe is flexible, meaning you can do a 3:1 ratio of tomatoes to pumpkin, 1:1, or 1:3 depending on how much you want the fall flavors to come through. Feel free to adjust as you go, adding more tomatoes (or marinara sauce of your choosing) or more pumpkin puree. Add 1/4 cup bone broth to start to thin mixture.
Step 4
This step is optional, but I prefer a smoother pasta sauce. Blend mixture with an immersion blender until a velvety texture is reached. Add a little bone broth at a time, stirring after each pour, to thin consistency to your preference.
*Tip: If using a blender on the counter, wait for the sauce to fully cool. Adding hot liquids to a blender will make it explode. All over your kitchen. It will be messy and hard to clean - don't do it while it's still hot!
Step 5
Taste test and add more salt, pepper, sugar, or other spices as needed. Allow mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld into the perfect smokey, sweet, savory trifecta.
Step 6
Serve to your favorite ghouls and goblins with your choice of pasta, grated cheese, and fresh basil - and watch them come crawling back for more!