The ultimate comfort food, this Blue Cheese Pumpkin Mac and Cheese will quickly become your favorite fall meal.
Easy Pumpkin Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
We love all things pumpkin. Once there is a hint of Fall in the air pumpkin makes an appearance in both sweet and savory dishes in the kitchen. Lately, it’s been sourdough pumpkin bread, pumpkin spiced latte and a few batches of pumpkin soup. But this week I felt like something a little different, somethings savory, creamy, cozy and comforting. So I came up with pumpkin macaroni and cheese using blue cheese. It might be my favorite pumpkin recipe yet.
This pumpkin macaroni is creamy and delicious. There is a hint of nutmeg and a mild tangy flavor from the Saga blue brie with a crunchy cheddar topping. The dish does come out an interesting orange color but it does not detract at all from the taste, unless you have an aversion to the color orange. I topped it with some toasted pumpkin seeds for a little crunch.
You can make this pumpkin mac and blue cheese for game day and cozy pot lucks. Your friends and family will love it.
Benifits of Eating Pumpkin
Pumpkin isn’t just for Fall, you can use all year. In fact it is a super food! Most people think pumpkins are vegetables but they are actually fruits, because they contain seeds. It adds flavor and fiber to your diet and recipes without changing the taste.
- Rich in vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium and vitamin C.
- High in fiber, which helps keep you full.
- Pumpkins contain vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate and iron, which all help strengthen your immune system
- High antioxidant content
- Are a heart healthy food.
- iIt’s full of the antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, that both help to soften and soothe dry skin.
- Versatile for cooking and baking, can be used in sweet and savory dishes as well as hot and cold drinks.
You can read more about the benefits of pumpkin in this article and this article.
Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
Simple ingredients are all that you need to make this creamy pumpkin Mac and cheese.
- 8 ounces of dried macaroni noodles or whatever pasta shape you prefer
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of white ground pepper
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 15 oz can of pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup of Saga Blue Brie Cheese
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 cup grated white cheddar
- toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish
Directions for Mac and Cheese
- Preheat oven to 350. Prepare an 8 x 8 inch pan with cooking spray or softened butter. Boil a large pot of salted water and prepare the elbow macaroni noodles according to the package directions. You want to cook them al dente, with a little bite to them so they do not get mushy when you bake the macaroni and cheese.
- Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
- In sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat, then add the flour, salt and pepper. Stir with a whisk until a paste forms.
- Slowly add the milk and heavy cream, stir until thickened and bubbly then add the whole can of pumpkin, and the blue cheese and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix until smooth and the cheese is melted. Add the cooked and drained noodles to the pumpkin cheese sauce.
- Mix well and pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle top with the white cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, the mixture should be bubbly. Then broil for 1-3 minutes until top is golden brown.
- Do not over bake or the macaroni will be dry.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and enjoy.
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Tips & Variations
The combinations are endless, you can mix up the cheese, add walnuts and sage or other seasonal herbs. Add your own twist to this traditional meal.
- For best results grate your own cheese do not use pre-shredded cheese.
- Use various types of cheese, like parmesan cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, Monterey Jack.
- Top with bread crumbs, sage breadcrumbs or even panko breadcrumbs.
- Add cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Add chorizo or Italian sausage.
- Store homemade pumpkin Mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Pumpkin lovers I hope that you try this pumpkin mac n cheese recipe. This simple pumpkin Mac and cheese is delicious as a side dish or as a family dinner with a side salad.
What is your favorite pumpkin season recipe?
Have a great day friends.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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Pumpkin Mac and Blue Cheese
The ultimate comfort food, this Blue Cheese Pumpkin Mac and Cheese will quickly become your favorite fall meal.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 pan 1x
Ingredients
Ingredients:
8 ounces of dried macaroni or whatever pasta shape you choose
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of flour
1/4 teaspoon of white ground pepper
1 cup of milk
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree(not pie filling)
1 cup of Saga Blue Brie Cheese
pinch of nutmeg
1 cup grated white cheddar
toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare an 8 x 8 inch pan with cooking spray or softened butter. Boil a pot of water and prepare the noodles. You want to cook them el dente, with a little bite to them so they do not get mushy when you bake the Mac and cheese. Drain the noodles and set aside.
In sauce pan, melt the butter, then add the flour, salt and pepper. Stir with a whisk until a paste forms. Then slowly add the milk and heavy cream, stir until thickened and bubbly then add the pumpkin, and the blue cheese and nutmeg. Mix until smooth and the cheese is melted. Add the cooked and drained noodles. Mix well and pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with the white cheddar cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, the mixture should be bubbly. Then broil for 1-3 minutes until top is browned. Do not over bake or the macaroni will be dry.
Remove from oven, let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and enjoy.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Brokass Gourmet, Better Homes and Gardens,
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: American
Fall Finds
Hello Elizabeth:
Although we are hopeless cooks we do have to say that this looks absolutely delicious and would make a wonderful lunch or light supper dish.
And, by the way, your images are so good. Often food when photographed does not look its best – not so here.
Lance and Jane,
You are so right, this is a delicious lunch and light supper with fresh salad.
Thank you so much for you compliments about the photos. It is challenging to take photos of food.
Oh THIS dish is soooooo getting made in my house! I LOVE pumpkin and may I say I worship BLUE CHEESE!!!!! thank you for the morning smile : ) hugs…
Andrea, I hope that if you make it you come back and let me know how you liked it.
Holy macaroni…this looks otherworldy good! Amazing…my kids would love this!
Tina,
I promise that you will love this macaroni and cheese! I hope you make it.
Elizabeth, this sounds decadent and delicious! Yum…I love macaroni and cheese of any kind. And blue cheese is one of my favorites. Have a great week!
Sunday,
It is all of the adjectives you used to describe it and more.
I think it is now my favorite recipe for macaroni.
Have a great day!
Hi Elizabeth, Mac and cheese is probably my #1 comfort food, and I also love anything pumpkin. Hubby eats blue cheese whenever I give him the opportunity, so I'm thinking this recipe will be a winner in our house! In answer to an earlier question posed a few days ago, YES, I log snail mail. I did a post a few years ago too about that. Notes from my kids and friends are precious to me. I'm a new follower, off now to find a good banned book! 🙂 Linda
I blame you in advance for my imminent weight gain when i inevitably make this!!
Stacy
Man, Elizabeth, you can cook! I wanna live in your house!! I love mac and cheese, and I'm always looking for ways to jazz it up. I've had it with bacon, lobster, chicken…..but never with pumpkin. Thanks for sharing this one. Ciao, Loi
MY OH MY, if I was not lactose intolerant, this would be a hit at my house weekly! HELLO THERE MY DEAR! Anita
Elizabeth this sounds so decadently delish!! Yum!
I am having an amazing Giveaway of Plush Pumpkins from Love Feast!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Karena,
Thank you for the give away reminder.
Have a great week, Elizabeth
I think it looks amazing. I hope you have put it on pinterest so I can pin it. Thanks for sharing. It is the perfect time of the year to be sharing pumpkin recipes.
Elizabeth are you trying to do my hips in? Because now I'm thinking I'll make this and your pumpin bars this weekend and we'll have a feast of pumpkin! I love mac-n-cheese! Thanks for the recipes!
XXX
Debra~
I am so hungry and this is one of my favorites – can't wait to try your recipe!
Hello Elizabeth
This recipe looks delicious and I love pumpkin as a vegetable.
Helenx
You've got me with this one, Elizabeth. I will be adding these ingredients to my grocery list this week.
Pumpkin, blue cheese, brie, macaroni… I think my brain just exploded… It really doesn't change the taste? Really?? I am very curious… but wary.
Hello Elizabeth: I never thought to add pumpkin or blue cheese to mac and cheese, so I am very intrigued by your recipe. I will have to give it a try. I often add sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes to my mac and cheese.
Hi Elizabeth,
I am visiting from Yvonne's On The Menu Monday. Your Pumpkin Blue Brie Cheese Baked Macaroni is a fabulous Macaroni Dish, a perfect presentation for the fall season. Hope you are having a great week and thanks for sharing!
Miz Helen
This is excellent with the pumpkin! It looks wonderful, thanks!
Looks so delicious! I am the featured blog this week, hope you can drop by.
Pumpkin Fun
Have an enjoyable pumpkin-licious weekend!
I am so making this! Ilove pumpkin and am SO glad you posted this at ONMM at Yvonne's. She featured you today. XO, Pinky
Yummm! I saw your great recipe share at Stone Gable – On the Menu Monday…what a great fall share! I pinned your recipe and plan on making this soon! Beautiful pictures!
Oh Whoa! What a great flavor combo! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Thank you so much for sharing on Simple & Sweet Fridays.
Jody
oh my …. oh my…… do I love love love cheese? Will I be making this on Saturday?
Yes, Yes, Yes!
oh man, you're killin' me with this..it looks deelish! i saw you featured on another site, and i had to come over and give you some comment love on this amazing concoction!
Can’t wait to try this!
I think you will enjoy it Leslie. Have a great week.