Can’t get enough mac and cheese? Go classic with our four cheese mac and cheese recipe or put a spin on it with our chorizo mac and cheese with broccoli recipe. With this pumpkin mac and cheese, you can celebrate fall AND add nutrition while still making an indulgent dish the whole family loves.We are not going to claim that cheese sauce is health food any time soon, but it’s a heck of a lot better for you when it’s loaded with pumpkin! For another way to sneak veggies into sauces, check out this creamy carrot pasta sauce.
All-purpose flour + milk: Plus some of the fat from cooking the bacon creates the roux that will thicken the cheese sauce. Pureed pumpkin. We buy it in a jar to make life easier. Make sure to look for 100% pumpkin. Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. So much flavor! Cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese: Feel free to use whatever cheese is in the fridge or add in your favorite cheese! We recommend grating blocks of cheese instead of packaged pre-grated cheese as it melts better and tastes fresher.
Seasonings: Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg or black pepper. Or if you’re craving a spicy kick, you can use some cayenne pepper. Balance is key! If you don’t have sage on hand, you can use another herby seasoning mix. Toppings: You could add a handful of dried cranberries for some tang. Or try some chopped nuts – we like cashews! Veggies: The recipe calls for spinach, but kale brings its A-game, too! If you’re all about the sneaky veggies, you could add a cup of grated zucchini or pureed carrot. This recipe also works well with other winter squashes, like butternut squash.
The creamy goodness of this dish is an indulgent side so it pairs perfectly with fresh and easy vegetable sides like crispy parmesan brussels sprouts or this crunchy kale apple salad. Or go full festive and serve it alongside holiday roasted vegetables. For proteins, try these delectable honey mustard pork chops or consider contrasting the creaminess and serve a protein with a citrus twist, like this lemon herb butter roast chicken.
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