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Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
5 from 12 votes

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese blends creamy cheddar cheese sauce with pumpkin puree and aromatic sage and thyme. Cavatappi pasta provides a sturdy base for the rich sauce that features a roux made from butter, flour, and a mix of milk and cream. Crispy bacon, golden sautéed onions, and garlic add depth and a savory contrast to the subtle sweetness of the pumpkin. Topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs baked until golden, this dish offers a rich, creamy texture with a satisfying crumb topping.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 553 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • kosher salt
  • 1 pound cavatappi pasta elbow macaroni, or small pasta shells
  • 5 tablespoons butter plus more if needed, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs or fresh bread crumbs
  • 8 ounces Bacon preferably maple cured, roughly chopped
  • 1 medium onion halved through the root and then cut into half moons
  • 2 garlic sliced, cloves
  • 15 sage roughly chopped, leaves
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk whole
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded sharp
  • One (14.5-oz) can pumpkin puree solid-packed
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
  • black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and toss in 3 tablespoons salt.
  3. While the water is coming to a boil, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat and stir in the panko. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the panko are coated with butter. Scrape the panko into a bowl.
  4. In the same skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until crisp yet still chewy, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels or a brown paper bag to drain.
  5. If there’s enough fat in the skillet to cook the onion, great. If not, add a tablespoon or two of butter to the bacon drippings. Cook the onion over low heat, stirring often, until softened and golden, about 20 minutes.
  6. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes more. Scrape the mixture into a bowl.
  7. Meanwhile, dump the pasta in the boiling water. Give it a stir to prevent it from sticking and cook it for 2 minutes less than specified on the package. (Trust us. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven.)
  8. While the pasta cooks, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in the skillet over medium heat, add the sage, and let sizzle for 1 minute.
  9. Dump in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute. Raise the heat to medium-high and slowly pour in the milk, still whisking continually. Repeat with the cream. Whisk in 2 cups cheese until it melts.
  10. Add the reserved bacon, onion, pumpkin, vinegar, thyme, nutmeg, 2 1/2 teaspoons (9 grams) kosher salt,, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Take a taste and add more salt or pepper, if you wish.
  11. Drain the pasta and dump it into the skillet and stir to combine. (Alternately, you could dump everything in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.) Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and then sprinkle with the buttered panko. Bake in the oven until bubbling and the panko is lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
  12. Let the pumpkin macaroni and cheese rest for about 10 minutes and then bring it to the table and scoop it straight from the skillet.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 553kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Monounsaturated Fat 11g (55%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 107mg (36%) Sodium 336mg (14%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 553

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 553kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 336mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.