Elegant Pumpkin Mac Cheese Recipes

PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until the mixture is smooth and golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the half-and-half, Dijon, cayenne, nutmeg, garlic powder and 2 teaspoons salt and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to boil and thicken enough to hold a trail by the whisk, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the pumpkin puree and grated Cheddar until the cheese just melts. Stir in the pasta, adding enough of the reserved pasta water as needed to make a creamy sauce.
• If your broiler is in the top of the oven, move the oven rack to the center. Preheat the broiler.
• Transfer the mac and cheese to the baking dish, top with the Cheddar slices and broil until the cheese is melted and the top browns in places, 8 to 9 minutes.

PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with whisk. Remove from heat; stir in milk. Heat to simmering; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg, mustard and pumpkin. Add 1 3/4 cups of the cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
• Add macaroni to cheese sauce and stir until coated. Pour into ungreased 3-quart casserole. Top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

EASY PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in whole wheat flour until combined. Stir in soy milk, pumpkin puree, and Cheddar cheese.
• Drain pasta and mix into the sauce. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.