• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Featured In
  • Recipe Index
  • This & That
  • Contact

The Blond Cook logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • This & That
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    By Amy · Published: Oct 4, 2019 · Updated: Apr 29, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy 3 Comments

    Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

    FacebookTweetPinEmailYummly
    Jump to Recipe

    This creamy, cheesy and savory Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comforting fall pasta dish!

    Baked mac and cheese in an oval white baking dish with a serving spoon

    The pumpkin flavor in this dish is very subtle and not overpowering whatsoever.  It’s a perfect complement to the cheddar and Gruyere cheese sauce seasoned with nutmeg and thyme… savory deliciousness!

    Overhead view of macaroni and cheese in an oval white baking dish beside a grey napkin.

    It’s finished off by topping with panko breadcrumbs and baked to perfection.  Fall comfort food at its finest!

    Overhead view of mac and cheese in a white dutch oven with a wooden spoon

    Helpful tips for This Recipe:

    • Have all of your ingredients measured and ready to go.  This recipe moves fast!
    • Don’t use pre-shredded bagged cheese.  It contains additives and doesn’t melt as well as block cheese.  Take the time to shred your own cheese (you’ll totally be glad you did!).
    • Make sure to use canned pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie mix.

    Pumpkin mac and cheese in an oval white baking dish

    Enjoy!

     

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Baked pumpkin mac and cheese in an oval white baking dish

    Pumpkin Mac and Cheese


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This creamy and savory macaroni and cheese with a hint of pumpkin flavor is the ultimate comforting fall pasta dish!


    Ingredients

    • 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni
    • ⅓ cup unsalted butter
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 cups whole milk
    • ¾ cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
    • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.  Cook macaroni al dente (firm to the bite – about 1 minute before package instructed cook time) and drain.
    2. While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.  Slowly add flour, about a tablespoon at a time, while whisking until smooth.
    3. Slowly add milk, whisking frequently until mixture just starts to boil and is thickened (about 5 minutes).
    4. Stir in pumpkin, nutmeg, thyme, salt and pepper.
    5. Slowly add cheeses, one handful at a time, stirring until cheese is melted and mixture is combined.
    6. Remove from heat and add cooked and drained macaroni to cheese mixture.  Stir well to combine.  Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
    7. Spoon macaroni into an ungreased 2-quart baking dish.  Sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs.
    8. Bake (uncovered) for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly around edges.

    Notes

    • Regular bread crumbs can be substituted for panko bread crumbs.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Category: Pasta
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: pumpkin mac n cheese, baked pumpkin mac and cheese

    Originally published October 22, 2012.  Updated with new photographs, recipe revised and republished on October 4, 2019.

    Macaroni and cheese in a white baking dish with a spoon.  Text at top of image.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE?

    • Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
      Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
      Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
    • Pineapple Cheese Ball
      Pineapple Cheese Ball
    • Sausage Cheese Balls
      Sausage Cheese Balls
    « Easy Pizza Casserole
    Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
      Recipe Rating




    1. Mona says

      December 22, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      I just made this recipe and I love it!
      Thank you.
      Merry Christmas.
      Mona.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        December 23, 2019 at 9:24 am

        So happy you enjoyed it, Mona! Merry Christmas to you, too! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      March 12, 2013 at 9:05 am

      How many does this pumpkin mac cheese serve???

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    Amy (The Blond Cook) with long blonde hair and wearing a pink shirt smiling for the camera.

    Hey, I'm Amy Brinkley! Welcome to my online kitchen. I love cooking simple, family-friendly recipes with everyday ingredients.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Easy Creamed Corn
    • Buttery Garlic Steamed Clams
    • Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Pineapple Margarita
    • Simple Dog Biscuits
    • Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops

    Instant Pot Recipes

    • Instant Pot Chili
    • Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    • Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
    • Instant Pot Beef Stew
    • Instant Pot Ham and White Bean Soup

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up to get new recipes via email.

    Footer

    A banner of logos of websites that The Blond Cook has been featured in.

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    © COPYRIGHT 2011-2022 · TBC MEDIA, LLC · DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY POLICY · ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!