Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon
User Reviews
5
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Description
This dish begins by cooking al dente pasta which is then set aside. Bacon is cooked in the same pot until crisp, and then removed. The rendered bacon fat is used to sauté diced onions and minced garlic until softened. Pumpkin puree, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, and alfredo sauce are stirred in along with milk shaken from the alfredo jar to blend smoothly.
Grated fontina and sharp cheddar cheeses are slowly incorporated to form a creamy cheese sauce. The cooked pasta and half the bacon pieces are mixed in to coat evenly.
The mac and cheese is served immediately with reserved bacon crumbled on top and a garnish of crushed plain potato chips for added crunch. This combination balances creamy, savory, smoky, and lightly spiced notes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb short cut pasta such as rotini
- 8 lices Bacon sliced
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 1 cup pumpkin
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 15 oz Alfredo sauce 1 jar, prepared
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 pound fontina cheese grated
- 1/3 pound cheddar cheese grated, sharp
- potato chips for garnish, optional, plain Ruffles brand
Instructions
- Bring large pot of water to boil. Salt the water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Place hot pot back on heat and cook bacon until browned and crispy {or cook how you like it}. Remove bacon from pot and drain onto paper towels.
- In the bacon grease, sauté onions and garlic until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, spices and alfredo sauce. Pour milk into dirty alfredo sauce jar, replace lid, shake and pour into pot. Stir until combined.
- Sprinkle in cheeses and stir slowly to melt.
- Stir in cooked pasta and half the cooked bacon.
- Spoon into dishes and top with remaining bacon and crumble chips over top and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 814 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 814kcal | 41% |
| Carbohydrates | 66g | 22% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 1148mg | 48% |
| Potassium | 420mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 2304IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 450mg | 45% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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