Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

This recipe is the ultimate fall comfort food! Cheesy mac meets pumpkin for an added nutritional value. For a flavor boost, add a teaspoon of nutmeg and/or hot pepper flakes. For the pickier eaters, they’ll enjoy it as is, without even guessing the additional ingredient. 

Here’s what you need:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée 

(not pumpkin pie filling)

1 pound pasta – highly recommend 

choosing a pasta that takes less than 

10 minutes to cook normally; we like mini shells

5 cups water

1-2 teaspoons salt, to taste

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed 

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Here’s what you do:

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium low heat. Add garlic powder and onion powder, and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring throughout.

2. Add in pumpkin and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Pour in pasta, water and salt, and cover the pot. Turn the heat on high and bring it to a boil. 

4. Once it’s boiling, remove the lid, turn the heat down again to medium low and set a timer for 8 minutes. 

5. Let the mixture simmer, and stir throughout so it doesn’t burn. You may need to turn the heat down. When the timer goes off, don’t drain the water. Stir in the cream cheese and continue simmering until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente, about 5 more minutes. 

6. Turn the heat on low and add cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is creamy and melted. Remove from heat and serve.

Optional – top with additional Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and/or hot sauce. 

About the author

Melissa Koski Carney (known as @koskim on social media) is an Ohio transplant from New York. A 30-something mom of three, she recently moved with her family from their downtown apartment to a nearly 100-year-old home in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. She works full-time as a marketing communications professional. When she’s not working, blogging, or chasing after her three kids (all ages 5 and under), she enjoys running, baking and reading; as well as hanging out with the other women she has met through her Ladies Craft Beer Society. She blogs regularly at I Crashed The Web.

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