Stovetop Mac and Cheese … with Pumpkin!
Mac and cheese is one of my daughter’s favorite comfort foods, and with fall around the corner, I decided to work in some pumpkin. Yes, the first pumpkin recipe of the season and it’s a total winner. My family loves this pumpkin mac and cheese recipe. The pumpkin flavor is very subtly present without being overwhelming and what you notice is how cheesy and creamy the macaroni tastes. I wrote a cookbook with 50+ recipes using pumpkin and in the cookbook, there’s a recipe for baked mac and cheese with a breadcrumb topping. However, my daughter likes her mac and cheese more classic, basic, and straightforward. No panko breadcrumbs, bacon bits, or truffle oil, which makes my job even faster and easier since there’s nothing to bake in the oven, and it’s ready in 30 minutes.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Here’s an overview of what goes into this pumpkin macaroni and cheese:
Pasta shells – I recommend using medium-sized pasta shells, but you can substitute any pasta you like best such as elbow macaroni or gluten-free pasta Unsalted butter All-purpose flour Silk Unsweetened Cashewmilk – This keeps the recipe on the lighter side without sacrificing any of the creamy texture we want in the pumpkin cheese sauce Salt and pepper Garlic powder, ground mustard, ground nutmeg Pure pumpkin puree – Butternut squash puree makes a good substitute if you aren’t a fan of pumpkin Extra sharp cheddar cheese – For the best results, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Store-bought shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting well Parmesan cheese
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Creamy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
If making mac and cheese with pumpkin sounds strange to you, just stay with me! It’s essentially your classic stovetop mac and cheese sauce plus a little pumpkin puree and warming spices. Here’s how the pumpkin mac and cheese is made:
More Easy Mac and Cheese Recipes:
Easy 30-Minute Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese — Classic mac and cheese the whole family will love! The creamy, cheesy comfort food you crave!! So much better than anything out of a box and just as easy!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! 20-Minute Stovetop White Cheddar Mac and Cheese — Almost as FAST and EASY as using a box but tastes a million times BETTER!! So creamy, ridiculously cheesy, and the extra sharp white cheddar cheese gives this mac and cheese so much FLAVOR!! One-Skillet Tex Mex Mac and Cheese — An EASY recipe that’s made in ONE skillet so you don’t have to cook the pasta separately!! Loaded with ground beef, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and cilantro! A family FAVORITE that feeds a crowd!! Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese — Hearty chili mac made with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, kidney beans, and two types of melted CHEESE! Easy 30-Minute Taco Mac and Cheese — Super creamy, ultra cheesy, flavored with taco seasoning, black beans, green onions, tomatoes, and cilantro!! EASY comfort food with a Mexican flair that’s a family FAVORITE!! Baked Macaroni and Cheese Balls – A perfect use for leftover macaroni! Bread it, bake it, devour it! Post brought to you by Silk. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own. Sign up for the Silk newsletter here. This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
