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Last Updated on February 20, 2021 by laurenpacek

It's pumpkin season, y'all! Don't fight it.

This Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese (with thyme!) is cheesy and pleasantly pumpkin-y. Earthy thyme complements the slightly sweet pumpkin. It's exactly what you need to feel festive and celebrate the season.

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This pumpkin macaroni and cheese is a modern day classic

This recipe is an oldie, but a goodie. I first blogged about it way back in 2013. But the photos were... not the best. And given how much I love this recipe, and just how delicious it is, I felt that it deserved a facelift.

I updated the recipe a bit, increasing the amount of milk and cheese that it calls for. And really, how could more cheese be a bad thing?

The result is a very creamy, pleasantly pumpkin-y macaroni and cheese.

Delicious enough for company, easy enough for a weeknight

I'd be perfectly content to make this pumpkin macaroni and cheese for friends and family. Pair it with a green salad, and you're in business. It's delicious, plus the pumpkin and thyme make it feel special.

Even though it looks fancier than your average mac 'n' cheese, it comes together really quickly since it's made on the stovetop. There's no baking required. If you boil the pasta while you start the sauce, you can have dinner on the table in about half an hour!

Looking for other savory pumpkin recipes?

Pumpkin Thyme Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Pumpkin Thyme Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 2 tbs butter; 2 tbs flour; 2 3/4 cups milk; 1 cup pumpkin puree (see notes); 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tbs fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish; 12 oz shredded cheese (see notes); kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 tbs butter
2 tbs flour
2 ¾ cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree (see notes)
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tbs fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
12 oz shredded cheese (see notes)
kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk, forming a roux.
While whisking continuously, slowly add the milk.
Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme. Whisk to combine.
Allow this pumpkin-y sauce to cook for a few minutes, whisking occasionally. It will thicken slightly.
To the sauce, add the cheese, whisking to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, and eat!

Notes

You want to use pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling
I used half aged gouda and half gruyere

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 464Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 511mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 22g

What kind of equipment will I need to make this recipe?

Pumpkin puree!
Silicone whisk
Colander to drain your pasta

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Comments

blessthismessplease

October 02, 2013 at 9:12 pm

This sounds super good and I have everything I need to make it tomorrow! Thanks so much for posting 🙂

- ANerdCooks
  
  October 02, 2013 at 9:22 pm
  
  I hope you love it!! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting =)
  
Alden!

December 18, 2013 at 10:55 am

So I have now made this 3 times. The first time I screwed up the roux, and the sauce was too liquidy. Still pretty good. The second time, last Saturday, it was perfect! Absolutely delicious; my friends ate it all up so I had no leftovers. The third time, last night, was OK except i added too much salt. It's a moving target. Thank you for posting!