Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the perfect fall pasta dish. Your favorite pasta is mixed with a creamy pumpkin mixture and topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. This is a great dish to make during the week for your family or as a side dish at Thanksgiving. 

PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE

I don’t know about you but I just love mac and cheese this time of year. And since fall is all about pumpkin I thought it would be fun to share a Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe with you guys.

This Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is creamy, rich and the perfect way to celebrate fall.

You might have noticed I have been using pumpkin in a lot of recipes from this Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal to this Pumpkin Ravioli to my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte. My kids especially love these Pumpkin Muffins and this Pumpkin Dip. 

My kids love all kids of mac and cheese recipes so I knew they would enjoy this version with pumpkin.

A few others I make on rotation is this Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe and this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole which uses canned tuna added into mac and cheese.  

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS PUMPKIN MACARONI AND CHEESE?

PUMPKIN: You can use canned pumpkin puree {unsweetened} or you can make your own pumpkin puree. Check out this Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree or this Easy Pumpkin Puree. 

PASTA: When making mac and cheese I like the smaller shaped pastas like elbow macaroni. You can use any that you like or have on hand though! 

CHEESE: This recipe uses cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese but you can use whatever combination you like. I think mozzarella or sharp cheddar would add nice flavor. If you are feeling adventurous try gouda. That is a favorite of mine! 

BREADCRUMBS: I love adding breadcrumbs on top of mac and cheese. You can skip them if you don’t like them or try panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunch texture. 

HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE?

Continue to Content

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the perfect fall pasta dish. Your favorite pasta is mixed with a creamy pumpkin mixture and topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. This is a great dish to make during the week for your family or as a side dish at Thanksgiving. 

Print

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 Cup pumpkin puree
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Pinch of pumpkin pie spice
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pound cooked elbow pasta {or small pasta of your choice}
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded {or cheese of your choice}
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup breadcrumbs {you can use regular or panko for more crunch}
• 2 Tablespoons butter, diced
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the pumpkin puree and cook until it darkens in color, around 3 minutes. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt and pepper.
4. Add the flour and stir to combine. Pour the milk and slowly mix until incorporated. Cook for 3 minutes or until thickened.
5. Add the cooked pasta and the cheddar cheese and toss to combine. Transfer to a baking dish.
6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
7. Top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumbs and top with the diced butter and parmesan cheese.
8. Take to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
   

Notes

I used homemade pumpkin puree (just place the pumpkin in the Instant Pot and cook until soft. Mash and that’s it). However you can also use canned pumpkin puree just make sure it’s unsweetened.

You can omit the baking step and the mac and cheese will be just as good!