Description
Easy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese combines tender pasta with pumpkin puree, sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and evaporated milk for a rich, velvety sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it is a cozy fall twist on classic comfort food.
Ingredients
1 pound pasta shells or macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt, to taste
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
Finely chopped chives, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the evaporated milk and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in the pumpkin puree, yellow mustard, and nutmeg until smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the grated sharp cheddar and Parmesan, stirring until completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir until thoroughly coated in the pumpkin cheese sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches the desired creamy consistency.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with finely chopped chives if desired.
Notes
Use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
For a crunchy topping, sprinkle servings with breadcrumbs toasted in a little butter.
Gruyère, smoked Gouda, Monterey Jack, or another good melting cheese can replace part of the cheddar.
Cooked spinach, broccoli, peas, or roasted cauliflower can be added for extra vegetables.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore the creamy consistency and avoid overheating the cheese sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 91 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
