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–+ servings

Creamy One-Pot Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

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A cozy and creamy mac and cheese featuring pumpkin for a twist, all made in one pot.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base
  • 2 cups short pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, or cavatappi)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter For sautéing
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth Use water with extra salt if broth is not available
  • 1 cup milk or half-and-half Half-and-half for extra creaminess
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree Do not use pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne Optional for heat
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage or thyme, chopped For topping and flavor
  • 1 squeeze lemon To brighten flavor at the end
Cheese Ingredients
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded Freshly shredded melts better than bagged shreds
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan or Pecorino
  • 1/2 cup optional melty cheese (Monterey Jack or Gouda) For added creaminess

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Set a large pot over medium heat. Melt butter and add garlic, letting it sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, broth, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and smoked paprika. Ensure the mixture is a smooth orange sauce.
  3. Bring the mixture to a steady simmer.
Cooking Pasta
  1. Add the pasta, stirring to prevent clumping. Maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender.
  2. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash more milk or broth.
Cheese Mixing
  1. Turn the heat to low, and add the cheddar and Parmesan, a small handful at a time, stirring until fully melted.
  2. Finish with fresh chopped sage or thyme and a squeeze of lemon.
  3. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. The mac and cheese should be silky and scoopable.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 700mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

Pasta absorbs liquid as it cools, so add a splash of milk when storing leftovers. Can be reheated gently on the stove. For a baked version, top with buttered panko and broil until golden.
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