Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of fall with this creamy pumpkin mac & cheese, combining velvety cheese sauce with pumpkin puree for a delicious twist on a classic comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

16 ounces pasta

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cups half and half

1 cup pumpkin puree

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

8 ounces cheddar cheese

4 ounces gouda cheese

2 teaspoons fresh sage

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
Gradually whisk in the half and half, and cook until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin puree, kosher salt, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper into the sauce, stirring until well combined.
Remove from heat and mix in the cheddar and gouda cheeses until melted and creamy.
Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and mix well.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and add the panko breadcrumbs, cooking until golden brown.
Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Garnish with fresh sage before serving and enjoy!

Notes

For a spicier version, adjust the cayenne pepper to taste. Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 30
Category: Dessert
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 250
Protein: 3g

Keywords: Creamy Pumpkin Mac & Cheese, pumpkin macaroni and cheese, fall recipes, comfort food, baking