Friday was an interesting day for me. Interesting because I did something for the very first time…I was on TV! Actually, I was on LIVE TV. haha It was probably one of the scariest things ever for me. I’m more of a behind the scenes person so to be out in front of a camera was terrifying for me.
According to everyone else though, I did really good. So I’m just going to take their word for it and go on with my life. 😉 I was on WSLS Roanoke News to talk about the winning dish that Elizabeth (from E, Myself and I) and I made at the Food Lion Cook-off. I won’t get into all of the details now because I’m going to be writing a post on it soon but let me just tell you, it was amazing and terrifying all at the same time.
Speaking of new things, let’s talk a bit about this Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese. It’s also new to me. I love most things pumpkin and I love Macaroni and Cheese, so I figured that’d I’d throw the two together and everything would be ok. I had no idea that I would enjoy the pumpkin with the cheese so much though!
At first it kind of surprised me. Even though I made it and I knew I put pumpkin in it, there was still the visual of “this is mac and cheese” so the pumpkin flavor caught my taste-buds off guard. But the more I ate of it the more I liked it! My god-daughter Alyssa gave it the thumbs up and I sent her home today with a huge container of it! (I’m always happy when the little ones like my food haha)
Oh and the pasta….yes. I know we are well past butHalloween look, I don’t like to waste food. Just because the pasta happens to have bats and spiders and pumpkin shapes doesn’t mean that it taste any different than regular pasta. 😉 Plus what pasta would be better for Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese than pasta shaped like pumpkins! haha
Isn’t that the coolest pasta! When I went to Greensboro the other weekend I picked up a bag of Halloween pasta at World Market and then when I got home that day I had a goodie box waiting for me at the house from my Sister-in-law and she had packed me a bag of Halloween pasta too! (and I can’t remember if this is the bag she gave me or the one I bought, oops)
Sorry back to the Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese! I made a cheese sauce with milk, flour, and cheese. Then I added in the pumpkin puree, some nutmeg, dry mustard, pepper, salt and paprkia.
Whisked it all together until the cheese was nice and “melty” and then dumped in the cooked pasta! Easy Peasy. I think it took me less than 10 minutes to make the cheese sauce, if it even took that long.
If you’re going to re-heating this later you may want to add a splash or two of milk before heating. It does tend to thicken a bit as it sits and cools.
I was really tempted to but bacon in this Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese, but I think I’ll save the bacon and pumpkin for another day.
Happy Haunting! Check out all of the spooky Halloween recipes and crafts on this website!!
Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese with a wonderful Pumpkin flavor! Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 16 ounces can ( or 2 cups) pumpkin puree, canned or homemade (NOT PUMPKIN PIE MIX)
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 -5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons flour + 1/2 cup milk
- Pasta of your choice (about 16 ounces)
Instructions
Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil. Add in pasta and cook for about 12 minutes or until done.
While the pasta is cooking. Heat 3.5 cups of milk in a large pot until hot (do not let it boil!)
In a sauce pan heat 1/2 cups of milk until hot. Whisk in flour. Whisk until there are no flour lumps left.
Add the flour and milk mixture to the large pot of hot milk. Whisk together.
Add in the cheddar cheese and mix until melted. Add in the pumpkin and mix well.
Whisk in the salt, pepper, paprika, dry mustard, and nutmeg.
Taste and season if necessary (It WILL be "pumpkiny" haha)
Stir in cooked, drained pasta.
(to re-heat, add a splash of milk before re-heating)
Breakfasts and Breads
-
- Maple Butternut Squash Donuts from Mess Makes Food
-
- Pumpkin Sweet Rolls from Basic N Delicious
- Vegan Pumpkin Scones with Maple Nutmeg Icing from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Appetizers, Starters, and Condiments
- Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties-Indian Inspired from Soni’s Food
- Pumpkin Hummus with Spiced Lamb from girlichef
- Quick Pumpkin Butter from Shockingly Delicious
Soups, Sandwiches, and Salads
- Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili from Supper for a Steal
- Black Bean Pumpkin Soup from What Smells So Good?
- Butternut Squash and Bacon Grilled Cheese from Ruffles & Truffles
- Butternut Squash Soup from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Hearty Quinoa Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash from Citronlimette
- Roasted Buttercup Squash and Black Bean Soup (Dairy free) from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Vegetable Soup from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Roasted Squash and Mexican Black Bean Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Roasted Squash and Sesame Noodle Salad from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Main Dishes
- Butternut Squash and Spinach Quesadillas from The Dinner-Mom
- Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Balsamic Brown Butter from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Butternut Squash Lasagna from Hip Foodie Mom
- Butternut Squash-Sage Cream Sauce with Sausage Spaghetti from Daily Dish Recipes
- Carnival Squash with Maple Sausage Stuffing from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chorizo-Stuffed Acorn Squash from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Butternut Squash with Spicy Wild Rice and Queso Fresco from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Pumpkin Alfredo from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pumpkin Enchiladas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon, Goat Cheese, and Pecans from The Weekend Gourmet
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprout Pizza from Curious Cuisiniere
- Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash from The Messy Baker
- Spaghetti Squash in a Creamy Sausage Sauce from Cookin’ Mimi
- Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi from Pescetarian Journal
Side Dishes
- Acorn Squash with Cinnamon and Cranberries from Noshing With The Nolands
- Butternut Squash and Apple Crumble from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Butternut Squash Gratin with Sage Pesto & Gorgonzola from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Chorizo and Craisin Stuffed Acorn Squash from Family Foodie
- Parmesan-Roasted Acorn Squash from The Urban Mrs
- Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese from Big Bear’s Wife
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Balsamic Vinegar Honey Butter from Food Lust People Love
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Wilted Kale, Mushrooms and Garlic from Take a Bite Out of Boca
- Skillet Buttercup Squash with Bacon from Magnolia Days
- Slow Cooker Squash and Apples from Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Sweet N Spicy Baked Chipotle Butternut Squash Fries from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Twice Baked Pumpkin Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Desserts
- Butternut Squash Cupcakes with Browned Butter Frosting from Treats & Trinkets
- Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars from Pies and Plots
Love this Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese recipe, will love to try this delicious one. Thanks for sharing this one with us.