Hi everyone, this is Heather visiting from Food Lovin’ Family. Today I want to share a twist on traditional macaroni and cheese by adding pumpkin and sage to the mix.
OK, I know by now you are probably tired of pumpkin but stay with me. When it comes to cooking with pumpkin, many people associate using it for sweet things like pies and the always popular pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin, however, also makes a wonderful ingredient in savory dishes.
You’ll also like this Pumpkin Soup.
Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese
One of my favorite ways to use pumpkin in savory meals is with pasta. Pumpkin gives this macaroni and cheese dish another layer of creaminess. It does not add a very strong pumpkin taste but just enough to keep your taste buds happy.
For this recipe I am using two different cheeses, Fontina and sharp cheddar. Fontina is a mild, creamy cheese and paired with sharp cheddar is a home run. If possible try to shred your own cheese for optimal freshness. To spice up the mac and cheese I add some sage and a pinch of nutmeg, giving it some extra fall flavor. This pumpkin macaroni and cheese is then topped off with a golden Panko bread crumb and Parmesan crust.
To make this pumpkin macaroni and cheese you will need canned pumpkin, shredded Fontina, sharp cheddar and parmesan cheese, pasta, panko crumbs, a little milk, heavy cream, flour and butter. I used medium shells as the pasta because I love how the cheese gets all up in the shell. Elbow macaroni, cavatappi and rigatoni would be great substitutes.
Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour, milk and cream. Let this thicken and then add in cheese, sage and nutmeg. Pour over cooked pasta and then transfer to baking dish. Cover the macaroni and cheese with a combination of butter, Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan. Bake until golden brown.
If you have never made homemade mac and cheese NOW IS THE TIME! The taste is out of this world! Your friends and family will thank you.
You might also like this recipe for Salsa Macaroni & Cheese, Stovetop Mac and Cheese or Mom’s Macaroni.
Would you try it?
Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese
Creamy, cheesy and absolutely delicious! If you haven’t added pumpkin to your mac and cheese, you are missing out.
Ingredients
- 1 16oz box medium shells
- 1/2 cup shredded Fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 15oz can pumpkin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Topping
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and then return to pan.
- In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat and stir in flour.
- Gradually stir in cream, milk, salt and pepper and cook until it starts to thicken and bubbles.
- Mix in pumpkin, sharp cheddar cheese, Fontina cheese, sage and nutmeg.
- Pour over cooked shells and stir to coat.
- Transfer to a 2 or 3 qt. baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons melted butter, panko and Parmesan. Sprinkle over macaroni and cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 348Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 516mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 11g
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’m afraid I’m not a fan of pumpkin and so far I’ve never eaten macaroni cheese either so this recipe isn’t for me 🙂
Linda H says
I like pumpkin and also macaroni but just not sure how this combination together would taste.
Stephanie LaPlante says
I love Mac n Cheese made with butternut squash so I bet I would love this combination as well.
Vanessa says
I had never thought of pumpkin mac and cheese. I love this idea 🙂
jess says
Never tired of pumpkin, especially with sage and mac n cheese! Looks yum!
Jess says
Well this sounds delicious. 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Charlotteq says
Good lord, this looks delicious! I totally want to make this for Thanksgiving this year (still trying to think up ways to wow the family). Thanks for sharing 🙂 Stopping in from SITS Sharefest — beautiful blog! XO
SaarBlogs says
This sounds (and looks!) absolutely amazing – definitely will have to try this one this week!
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project says
Looks amazing! I’ve added butternut squash to Mac and cheese before and it worked well now I know I can try pumpkin as well. Found your post at Happiness is Homemade
CJ @ Morsels of Life says
Loving this twist on the usual! Pumpkin and sage sounds like a perfect seasonal version. 🙂