Homemade pumpkin mac and cheese made with pumpkin puree and shredded cheddar cheese. This easy baked pumpkin mac is the ultimate comfort food with a total cook time of 30 minutes!
Few American dishes are better known than traditional macaroni and cheese. It’s an easy recipe we all know and love.
So if you’re excited about pumpkin spice and all things pumpkin in the fall months (or year round), you’ll love this creamy pumpkin mac. Each bite is filled with tender elbow noodles covered in a creamy cheese sauce with pumpkin flavor. It’s rich, savory, and slightly sweet with a touch of spice!
The Best Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Recipe
Pumpkin mac and cheese is the perfect mac for pumpkin lovers, but most importantly for mac and cheese lovers. The pumpkin cheese sauce contains pumpkin puree, shredded cheddar cheese and a pinch of nutmeg. The top is crispy because who doesn’t love crunchy elbow noodles covered in melted cheese? Yum!
To note because I know not everyone is a pumpkin lover, my husband isn’t a big pumpkin fan, but he happily eats this dish because the pumpkin taste is subtle. So if you want a dinner that will make everyone happy – try this recipe!
Homemade pumpkin puree will make it extra special (and great for saving those pumpkins!), but if you’re looking to save time, a can from the grocery store works too.
How to Make Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Make elbow pasta, drain, and place in 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 leftover pumpkin macaroni in an airtight container and in the refrigerator. If stored properly, homemade pumpkin mac and cheese can last up to three to four days.
Reheat: To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the pumpkin mac and cheese baking dish into the oven when preheated and bake for 20 minutes. You may take it out sooner or later if you notice it begins to bubble.
What Cheese Goes Well With Pumpkin?
For this pumpkin mac and cheese, I suggest going with classic cheddar cheese (shredded is best) so you don’t lose the classic flavor of a traditional mac and cheese dish. As always, I think thick cut shredded cheese melts the best!
What Pasta Do I Use For Homemade Macaroni and Cheese?
For this recipe, I use a classic elbow macaroni. However, you can use a shell or bowtie pasta if you already have them on hand. You can also use cavatappi, which is a type of macaroni known for having lined dips or ridges along the noodle. Whichever you choose, the flavor is in the sauce!
Can I Add Breadcrumbs on Top?
Yes, before baking you can add panko bread crumbs to the top of your mac and cheese once it’s inside the baking dish and before it goes into the oven. This will give it another element of texture—each bite includes an extra crunch. However, I prefer to keep this dish as is since there is already a lot of grain included in the noodles!
More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
If you can’t get enough pumpkin flavor, check out the other pumpkin-based recipes on Brooklyn Farm Girl. There are plenty to choose from!
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
- Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Pin for later:
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!
Teresa says
I can’t wait to make this! It will be the perfect, unexpected, addition to our fall party! Is the baking dish you use a 9×9 or 13×9, want to make sure I get it right!;)
Thanks!!
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
I think adding the pumpkin to this family favorite raises it to a whole new level. I featured it on my Friday Five – Pumpkin addition over @ Feed Your Soul Too – http://www.feedyoursoul2.com/2013/09/friday-five-pumpkin-addition.html
Pamela says
So nice of you, thanks so much Peter! Enjoy!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
I squeal at the sight of when Halloween has arrived at the craft stores and everywhere, too! I think it’s my favorite holiday….besides Christmas, and of course my bday! (hehe)
I love what you did with this mac and cheese, Pamela! You’re so creative!
I was actually thinking of you this past weekend while I was canning (bushels!) of tomatoes and salsa. (=
Pinning!
Pamela says
I totally agree about the best 3 holidays! Well my birthday instead of yours, but you get the idea! Hope that canning went great, yum! 🙂
Kristina says
Can canned pumpkin be used?
Pamela says
It sure can! 🙂
Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life says
Pumpkin in mac n cheese??! I totally just died!! Holy yum!
Pamela says
Enjoy Jocelyn!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
We love mac ‘n cheese – and this is a super interesting twist! I can’t wait to try this! I wish I could grow a pumpkin, but they’d never stand a chance. I kill any and all plants!
And I’m pretty sure fall is on it’s way! We had 2 days this week in the 90s, and today I’m not sure if we are going to see 60 degrees! It’s coming!! Yay! Fall is my most favorite ever!! 🙂
Pamela says
Thanks Gretchen! This is one of my favorite pumpkin recipes! We are definitely feeling Fall today, I’m sitting here with a blanket on!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
This is speaking to me on a primal level or something – because pumpkin and mac and cheese are like my spirit foods. I am a goner!
Pamela says
I love that you described them as spirit foods, enjoy Megan! 🙂
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
What a great idea! This sounds delicious!
Pamela says
Thanks Lindsay!
Emily from Reaching Beyond My Reach says
This sounds absolutely intriguing. I’m going to have to give it a spin. I can’t wait! Thanks for sharing!
Pamela says
Enjoy Emily!
[email protected] says
Looks so rich and cheesy! This is going on my to make list for sure. I am so ready for fall, but winter doesn’t ever need to come 🙂
Pamela says
Winter is Coming! (Game of Thrones fan?). Enjoy Christin!
Billie says
Such an excellent idea! I love mac & cheese, can’t wait to try it with some pumpkin, thanks!
Pamela says
Enjoy Billie!
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
Savory pumpkin – yum, yum! 🙂
Pamela says
Thanks Jennifer! I agree! 😉
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I have my teen sitting right next to me and he is excited to make this one. Great recipe Pamela, and your pictures are so beautiful
Pamela says
Super awesome news, enjoy this mac and cheese!
veganmiam says
You’re a genius, Pamela! These pumpkin puree provide a lovely orange color to the mac and cheeze, and I would love to make a vegan version of that. Your recipe is very easy to veganize! Thank you for sharing this awesome idea!
Pamela says
Enjoy! Let me know how it turns out veganized! 🙂
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
OMG Genius!!!! Pumpkin rocks but in combination with mac & cheese?! Excuse me, miss Genius. I loveee it!
Pamela says
Thanks Kammie! I’m a total mac and cheese aholic, but this pumpkin just shakes it up and makes it even better!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
This dish might be the soul reason why I love pumpkin season so much!
Pamela says
Enjoy Nicole! I think it’s a great dish that can make people fall in love with pumpkin!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
This looks so spectacular! Love this twist on my all-time favorite food and can’t wait to make your recipe this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Pamela says
Let me know how you like it Kelly, enjoy!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
Woa – what an incredibly amazingly original recipe! My daughter loves Mac n cheese – what a nice way to sneak in some vitamins into it – thank you so much for sharing this! Oh by the way, here in Georgia, I saw Christmas decorations on display at Costco- I think they skipped halloween 🙁
Pamela says
Woah, Christmas decorations! I have one store here that leaves them up all year to buy, I kinda love the idea because I love snowmen, but they can’t skip over Halloween! Enjoy this macaroni and cheese Shashi!
Juliana says
Great idea, pumpkin in mac and cheese…love the color and the flavor…yum!
Thanks for the recipe Pamela and have a wonderful week ahead 😀
Pamela says
Thanks Juliana! Have a great one yourself!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
I love your pumpkin enthusiasm! And I am salivating at the thought of this macaroni & cheese with a fall twist. I love this season too!
Pamela says
Thanks Amanda, it truly is my favorite time of the year!
Stephanie says
Oh my! I am totally making this for dinner this week. I can a massive amount of pumpkin puree in my friend that needs to find its way into my belly asap
Pamela says
Enjoy Stephanie! Get that pumpkin in your belly!
Tessa @ Feral Kitchen says
What an interesting version of mac and cheese! Looks creamy and delicious. Brilliant idea Pamela!
Pamela says
Thanks Tessa!
The Squishy Monster says
This is incredible! Keep those pumpkin recipes comin’! I’m all about it. Love the nutritional boost of this decadent mac and cheese…wish I had kids so I could fool ’em =)
Pamela says
I know, I love the idea of fooling kids with pumpkin.. it’s one of the things I look forward to most! 😉
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Oh pumpkin inisde the mac and cheese! So comforting and delicious. For some reason pumpkin and pasta are very much alike but go so well together!
Pamela says
I totally agree Paula, I love the combination!
Julie @ Table for Two says
Totally my kind of comfort food!!
Pamela says
Enjoy Julie!
Christina (Sisters Running the Kitchen) says
I love how easy this is to make! thanks for sharing. love me some pumpkin flavored everything.
Pamela says
Thanks Christina! Enjoy!
Koko says
You are a geniussssssssss! What a great way to add one of my favourite things…that happens to be a VEGETABLE to macaroni and cheese! I will absolutely without a doubt be making this at some point this Fall! Keep the pumpkin coming!
Pamela says
Thanks Koko! If you’re on board, the pumpkin will continue!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
Oh wow, I can’t even believe I’ve never tried putting pumpkin in mac and cheese! You’ve inspired me, now I need to!
Pamela says
Ashley, I love your icon picture – made me smile! Enjoy!
Debra says
This is the second great mac’n cheese recipe I have seen today. The pumpkin outs it on top though. Love it!
Pamela says
Thanks Debra! Pumpkin always adds points! 😉