Easy oven baked pumpkin mac and cheese made with pumpkin puree and shredded cheddar cheese. Creamy inside with crispy noodles on top! This easy baked pumpkin mac is the ultimate comfort food during the Fall, with a very subtle pumpkin taste satisfying everybody at the dinner table!
Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Love mac and cheese? How about we embrace all things Fall and turn it into pumpkin mac and cheese?
It’s a creamy mac and cheese, first making the creamy pumpkin cheese sauce on the stovetop, and then baking it in the oven. Each bite of the elbow noodles is covered in cheese with subtle pumpkin flavor. It’s rich, savory, and slightly sweet with a touch of spice!
I know not everyone is a pumpkin flavor lover. To be honest my husband isn’t a big pumpkin fan, but he happily eats this for dinner because the pumpkin taste is very subtle. So if you want a dinner that will make everyone happy – try this recipe!
Want more baked pumpkin recipes? Try my Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and Pumpkin Dinner Rolls next!
Ingredients for Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
- Elbow noodles work great because the noodles catch the cheese sauce, but you can use shells of bowtie pasta if you prefer too!
- Pumpkin puree, you can use canned pumpkin puree of if you’re feeling adventurous, carve up your sugar pumpkin and make homemade pumpkin puree!
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- For the cheese sauce: butter, flour, milk.
- Spices: salt, pepper, nutmeg and ground mustard
How to Make Pumpkin Mac and Cheese in the Oven
Boil elbow pasta noodles according to the box, drain, and place in a 9×9 baking dish.
In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour and then add milk. Bring to a simmer until thickened. Stir in salt, black pepper, ground nutmeg, and mustard.
Next, add in the pure pumpkin puree and cheese. Stir until melted.
Pour the cheese mixture on top of the pasta in baking dish and mix to fully coat the noodles.
Bake, remove, serve, and enjoy your creamy mac!
Storing/Reheating Leftovers
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Homemade pumpkin mac and cheese can last up to 4 days.
Reheat: To reheat, place the baking dish filled with leftovers into the oven and bake for around 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. To reheat quicker, heat it up in the microwave for 30 second increments until it’s fully warmed up.
Pin for later:
Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
PrintIngredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make elbow macaroni according to the package. Drain pasta and pour into a 9×9 baking dish.
- In a medium size saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Stir in milk, a little at a time and continue to whisk until thickened. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and mustard and stir.
- Add in pumpkin puree and shredded cheese, stirring until cheese is completely melted.
- Pour pumpkin cheese sauce on top of pasta in the baking dish, stirring to completely coat the noodles.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown. Enjoy!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This looks delish! Now I am wondering id I can get my eleven year old macaroni and cheese loving son to eat this. It’s worth a try.
Pamela says
Let me know how it works out.. I have a feeling it might be a great surprise! 😉
Sarah says
Warming and creamy and cheesey… and then there’s pumpkin too – sounds like a perfect recipe for autumn.
Pamela says
Thanks Sarah, a total Fall dinner!
Jamie@Milk 'n' Cookies says
Oh wow — what a great idea! Pumpkin can add such wonderful texture and creaminess in recipes. I can just imagine how perfectly it works in mac ‘n’ cheese — especially with the nutmeg added (which I like to add to my mac ‘n’ cheese anyway).
My husband and I already planned out our dinners for this week, but I sorta think I should nix our plans so I can try this recipe. Who needs Sausage and Peppers, anyway???
Pamela says
Thanks Jamie! Nutmeg is such a great addition to mac and cheese isn’t it? I hope you enjoy it, let me know if you do try it! 🙂
Katie says
I love all things Halloween also, and even more so I love pumpkin EVERYTHING!! I’m taking my freshman bio class to the pumpkin patch on the day before halloween to “learn” and to buy and eat pumpkins and go through the corn maze!
(Oh and this recipe looks bomber also.)
Pamela says
That’s amazing Katie, can I please join your class for that day? Please, Please!
Hani/Hanielas says
Great minds think alike. I’m sure you know what I mean. I just posted something where I used elbow pasta, too. This is such a great idea to use pumpkin in mac and cheese! Yum
Pamela says
High 5 to the elbow macaroni crew! 😉
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
Love, love, love mac and cheese! Awesome idea to make it more Fall like with some pumpkin. 🙂
Pamela says
Thanks Tina!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
It’s never too early to get ready for fall and this recipe definitely puts me in the mood. What a great use of fresh puree too!! Comfort food made perfect.
Pamela says
Thanks Zainab! Definitely comfort here.. I could just hug it! And eat it! 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk says
This recipe and post both have WINNER written all over them. Pumpkin mac n cheese, what a perfect idea!! Thanks for sharing, have a great week!
Pamela says
Thanks Dan! This recipe won my heart, I hope it wins yours too!
Suzanne says
Oh my I think I would love pumpkin in my mac and cheese. Next time I make it most definitely. I too love Halloween, here in my nabe, it’s a really big deal, we have all sorts of festivities on the big day, 315 Clinton Ave does a huge production, we have a Halloween walk and everyone decorates.
Pamela says
I heard about the event, I hope to see it this year! I love walking through Clinton Hill during Halloween because there are so many trick or treaters out, it reminds me of growing up in a small town – I love it!
Ada ~ More Food, Please says
Yummy! I love the incorporation of pumpkin. Never had a pumpkin mac & cheese but now I’m going to give it a try, since I love all things pumpkin. Bookmarked this recipe–thanks for sharing! 😀
Pamela says
Thanks Ada, I sure hope you enjoy this dish!
Pam says
Fall is my favorite time of year. This pumpkin macaroni and cheese looks comforting, hearty, and oh so delicious!
Pamela says
Thanks Pam! It’s definitely my favorite time of the year too!
Nora @ Buttercream Fanatic says
Welp. Time to cancel my vacation because I HAVE TO HAVE THIS right now.
Pamela says
Hahahaha, sorry! I will go on vacation for you then! 😉
Monica says
Great recipe! I’m really starting to feel Fall now – never mind the typical yo-yo weather right now. I’ve started making soup and I’m not looking back!
Pamela says
Monica, you go on with your soups! I love your spirit! 🙂
Jaclyn says
I’m with you, I want summer to end and fall to be here. The extended forecast doesn’t look like it’s agreeing with me though. Your mac n cheese looks so yummy.
Pamela says
Us either, it’s supposed to be in the 90’s on Wednesday but after that I’m hoping for the best!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Sooo exciting that mornings and evenings are brisk enough to require a jacket now!!! I’m just so much happier this time of year 🙂 I love Halloween too! In fact just last week Nate ordered a few kitty costumes- I’m hoping she’ll tolerate them. Do you dress up your kitties?? Love your pumpkin bowl, and this recipe looks fantastic! The color the pumpkin adds is so pretty 🙂
Pamela says
Oh my, I need your kitties in costume pictures, please! We have costumes, like dinosaurs – because who doesn’t want to see a cat that looks like a dinosaur? Well surprisingly cats don’t want to, noone will wear it! Occasionally I can get our Siamese cat Xanadu to wear a long pigtails wig.. but it lasts for about 8 seconds. 😉
Sophie33 says
I will make this tonight, but will add fried smoked bacon pieces in here,…for double yumminess! 🙂
he smoked flavour will go so well with the cheezy pumpkin: tasty!
Pamela says
Oh my, that bacon sounds amazing! What a great addition!
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen says
Pamela, you just won my heart with this recipe! Mac&Cheese is my absolute favorite and pumpkin just makes it better! I’m so making this when I go home for fall break.
Pamela says
Aww thanks Faith! I am happy to win your heart! This mac and cheese might steal it though.. 😉
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Oh, this looks soooo good! Love this recipe and cannot wait to make! I’m drooling. Lovely photography too, Pamela! Thanks for sharing! xo
Pamela says
Thanks Stacy! Enjoy it!
Ashley says
I made pumpkin lasagna last year and we loved it … I’m going to have to try this next! I just opened my first can of pumpkin for the season. I am so excited for fall! It’s still hot here during the day but the mornings and nights are getting cooler. Yay!
Pamela says
Oh goodness, pumpkin lasagna, I must investigate this amazingness!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
How did you make this look so easy? Now I REALLY want to make this one. Too bad I just used the last of our pumpkin on a bread – time to go to the store! And I know what I’m making for lunch. We adore mad and cheese and I will adore that we get some fiber and nutrients in it!
Pamela says
Hope you got that pumpkin at the store! Enjoy Mary Frances, hope you like it!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Ok! I will give up on summer… and follow you to fall 🙂 Pumpkin in mac n cheese sounds like a great idea 🙂
Pamela says
Hehehe, thanks Laura! It’ll be a fun adventure!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
You are just feeding my Autumn obsession (literally.) Looks so comforting!
Pamela says
Eat up Aimee! 😉
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that just screams for variety. So I love the addition of pumpkin in here! It looks so cheesy and delicious and fall-flavored.
Pamela says
Thanks Kim! It’s definitely bursting full of cheesy pumpkin goodness!
Madison says
This looks amazing…I’ve never had pumpkin in mac and cheese. I’m more of a sweets pumpkin girl but you have convinced me to try it savory as well! 🙂
Pamela says
I hope you enjoy it Madison! And expect more sweet pumpkin recipes! 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Not surprisingly, another brilliant recipe! Going to have to find some GF macaroni pasta now! I’ve also gone a bit pumpkin crazy. I’m not a fan of the cooler temps so I reward myself with lots of warm pumpkin dishes for actually leaving the house…note to self, don’t live in Canada!
Pamela says
You deserve those warm pumpkin dishes Davida! Enjoy!
Emma @ Fork and Good says
ahh looks drool worthy! Know what you mean about the weather changing, over here in the England, it’s the first time I’ve worn socks since June. Good bye summer, hello months of mugs of tea, cosy nights in and warming meals like this! Gonna try this one out, as I’ve got a bit of a thing going on with cheese at the moment. 🙂
Pamela says
I always have a thing with cheese, hehehe. Also mugs of tea and cozy nights sound like the best time!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I want to pumpkin all the things!!! But, I need to start with this! YUM!
Pamela says
Yes! Pumpkin all the time, me too!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
This looks so darn amazing that you’re making me wish it was fall, and I’m a summer-loving ind of gal. But back to the pumpkin, this looks like the best mac & cheese I’ve seen in a while. I love it! x
Pamela says
Thanks Consuelo! Enjoy the rest of your summer, and when it comes Fall I hope you enjoy this mac and cheese!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
This looks like gooey amazing deliciousness and I want it right now, please.
Pamela says
Come on over Sarah!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
What a great way to incorporate fall into a mac & cheese dish! Love the pumpkin here Pamela. Great recipe!
Pamela says
Thanks Anne!