Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika
A comforting Australian twist on stroganoff featuring roasted pumpkin, crispy bacon, and a creamy paprika-infused sauce. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs bacon rashers, chopped, (about 450 g) pumpkin, peeled and cubed, large onion, finely sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon rashers, chopped
- 3 cups (about 450 g) pumpkin, peeled and cubed
- 1 large onion, finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz egg noodles, cooked
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 3 cups peeled and cubed pumpkin with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Roast on a baking tray for 25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Step 2: While pumpkin roasts, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 chopped bacon rashers and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving rendered fat.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 large finely sliced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups sliced mushrooms and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and start to brown.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup beef broth and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, simmering for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 6: Return roasted pumpkin and crispy bacon to skillet. Remove from heat, then stir in 3/4 cup sour cream until sauce is creamy and coats ingredients well. Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 7: Serve stroganoff over 12 oz cooked egg noodles and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley for freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bacon rashers, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Stroganoff with Smoked Paprika?
Australian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.