Spooky Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Try this Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese for a cozy, fall-inspired twist on a classic dish! Creamy cheese and pumpkin blend perfectly, making it a hit with the whole family.
Sneaking vegetables into your kids’ meals just got deliciously easy with this crowd-pleasing Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. The secret lies in a silky pumpkin sauce that combines cream cheese, heavy cream, and a hint of parmesan to create an irresistibly smooth and creamy base. But why stop at delicious when you can make it irresistible? A generous layer of melted mozzarella on top creates those satisfying cheese pulls that make every bite a celebration.
This comforting autumn dish transforms nutritious pumpkin into a kid-approved favourite, perfect for cozy family dinners or Halloween festivities. Parents will love the hidden vegetables, while kids will be mesmerized by the golden, bubbly cheese and rich, comforting flavours.
Picky Eaters
For picky eaters, veggies aren’t always a favourite. This Pumpkin Mac and Cheese blends the baked pumpkin into the sauce, a great way to sneak extra vitamins into your kids’ bellies! While I love adding a sprinkle of parsley and pumpkin seeds for crunch and flavour, many kids—like mine—prefer their pasta smooth and texture-free. So feel free to leave off the toppings for fussier eaters. My solution? My picky eater gets the plain, cheesy bottom layer, leaving more of that deliciously crisp gratin for the grown-ups. Win-win!
Macaroni or Maccheroni
Maccheroni is the name Italians call long pasta, not necessarily a tube. In America, Macaroni, or Elbow macaroni, is a tiny curved tube popular with kids. Elbow macaroni is less famous in Europe, so I’ve used penne for this recipe. Either way, with any pasta you cook for this dish, it is essential to cook it al dente (cook not too soft) so it doesn’t get overcooked in the oven.
The sauce looks like a lot in the pan before going in the oven, but remember it will absorb the pasta quite a bit, so you need plenty to keep it moist!
Holy Gratin!
Fresh mozzarella is best for a lovely stringy gratin! It gives us these gorgeous golden crusts and smooth touches we all love! When adding the cheese, try to keep it in small pieces; this way, it melts faster. If you leave it too long in the oven, it could burn your pasta.
Other Kid-Friendly Pasta Dishes
Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- casserole about 20cm
Ingredients
- 500 g penne pasta or your favorite type
- 400 g cooked pumpkin
- 100 g cream cheese
- 150 ml cream
- 30 g parmesan *optional
- ⅓ tsp nutmeg *optional
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Blend the precooked pumpkin, cream cheese, cream, parmesan and spices in a food processor.
- Boil the pasta in a big pot of salted water until it is almost cooked but not quite (al dente).
- Mix the sauce with the pasta, add to a casserole and top it with the fresh mozzarella, salt and pepper.
- Cook for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden.
Notes
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
This was really good! I had never had pumpkin in pasta before and so didn’t know what to expect. It was delicious! Thank you!
My pleasure Glenda!
So pretty what a fun idea for the kids going to try this one for sure!
The kids will love it! Guaranteed!
This pumpkin pasta is so cheesy and delicious! I love the hint of nutmeg.
Glad to hear it!
This is genius! I hate wasting anything and throwing away all the pumpkin after carving them makes me sad…but now I will no longer have to waste it thanks to your brilliant idea!
my pleasure!
Love the Fall flavors of this delicious pumpkin mac n cheese.
Yes! A comfy dish for colder days!
This will be a great recipe for the fall. That is the time to bring on all the delicious pumpkin recipes. I know this is going to be a hit for sure.
I love pumpkin and squash also! Looking forward for the fall!
This pumpkin mac and cheese is a hit every time! I’ve made it a few times now and decided to make it a few months early this year. We love it!
Oh my gosh, I am already a fan of your recipe. This dish is so easy and delicious. I love it!
It’s spooky and yummy! Enjoy!