Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream

Name: Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Eggs 1; Pork minced 1.1 lbs; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 2.8 oz; Bread crumb 2.5 oz; Pumpkin to be cleaned 3 cups; White onions 1; Fine salt to taste; Thyme dry to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Water to taste

it de fr es br

530

Calories per serving

Lactose Free

Energy Kcal 530
Carbohydrates g 16.8
of which sugars g 4.4
Protein g 49
Fats g 29.6
of which saturated fat g 13.02
Fiber g 1.52
Cholesterol mg 180
Sodium mg 845

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Vanessa Gizzi

Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream sauce? Seriously, this brings a tender twist to the classic Italian polpette. And these pork meatballs are a hit with home cooks all over Italy. Really, they’re perfect for those chilly weekends when you crave something comforting. And you know what? Instead of the typical red sauce, this recipe swaps in a creamy pumpkin sauce. It’s not just colorful—it gives off that special agrodolce (sweet-and-sour) vibe Italians love. The pumpkin adds a rich orange color that pops on your plate, making the whole dish look really, really inviting.

Each bite gives you a nice balance—sweet pumpkin mixed with savory pork and a bit of Italian seasoning. It's way, way better than the usual tomato-based meatballs. Plus, it adds a bit of seasonal flair. For anyone who loves easy pork meatballs recipes, this is a solid pick to keep in your rotation. Especially as the weather cools off. You want some autumn comfort food that feels a little special, right?

A dish like this shines during those big Sunday meals when everyone’s gathered around, passing plates and sharing stories. You know, in Italian homes, seasonal meatball dishes are a sign that fall has arrived. Families are ready for cozy dinners. You can taste the moist texture of the meatballs, and the pumpkin sauce adds a silky feel that makes it tough to resist a second helping. And the sauce? It soaks into each meatball, making them even more juicy than usual.

This kind of food is exactly what you’d find in kitchens all across Italy—simple ingredients, honest flavors, and a bit of creativity. To be honest, if you’re searching for fall dinner ideas or just want to try a new spin on ground pork recipes, these pork meatballs in pumpkin cream sauce are a real crowd-pleaser. They capture that classic comfort, with a seasonal update that feels both fresh and traditional. With every bite, you’re reminded of the warmth and love that goes into Italian home cooking. Pretty simple, but so, so good.

How to prepare Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream

To prepare the meatballs in pumpkin cream, first work on the meatball mixture: soak the bread crumbs in water until they are softened 1. Then place the ground meat, grated cheese 2, and dried thyme 3 in a bowl.

Incorporate the egg 4, the soaked and squeezed bread 5, a pinch of salt, and then mix with your hands 6 to blend the mixture.

When the mixture is homogeneous and compact 7, take a small portion and form meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter 8. With these quantities, you'll get around 15 meatballs 9.

Keep the meatballs in the fridge and work on the cream: slice the pumpkin and remove the skin. Cut the pumpkin into cubes 10, then clean and chop the onion 11. Pour the vegetable oil into a pan 12.

and add the chopped onion 13, sauté over moderate heat for a few minutes, then add the pumpkin cubes 14. Pour a little water 15, just enough to prevent the pumpkin from sticking.

Add fragrance with sage leaves 16, cover with a lid 17 and cook for 10 minutes. At the end of cooking, the pumpkin will be soft 18.

Transfer it to a mixer 19 and blend to obtain a cream 20. Place the cream back in the pan, add the meatballs (21-22).

Continue cooking for 25 minutes, turning the meatballs and adding more water if the sauce dries out too much. Once cooked 23, serve the meatballs hot 34.

Storage

Store the pork meatballs in pumpkin cream in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days once cooked. You can freeze the meatballs after cooking if you have used fresh ingredients.

Tip

You can vary or enrich the meatball mixture with your preferred ingredients: provola cheese, salami, beef, pecorino cheese, or even a crushed garlic clove!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Pork meatballs in pumpkin cream

Storage

Tip

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