One Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese.

This super easy One Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the perfect dish for sneaking in autumn vegetables. Simply brown some butter and garlic in a large pot and toss in some elbow macaroni and canned pumpkin. Then boil everything together in water with a splash of milk and a few ounces of cream cheese. Together these ingredients create a creamy stovetop mac and cheese that’s wholesome and delicious. This simple pumpkin mac and cheese is made all in one pot, in just 30 minutes.

I wasn’t going to make this, but then I made this, and I am so pleased that I did. Sometimes simple recipes really shock me with their ease and deliciousness. And I have to say, this recipe shocked me.

So much flavor in such a simple and quick cooking recipe that only uses one pot. I hesitated to make this for two reasons. I have been baking and cooking with a lot of pumpkin lately. And if it’s not pumpkin, it’s butternut squash. I don’t want us all to get tired of pumpkin recipes before November even starts.

But I got home from New York and this sounded really delicious and simple to make. Which after traveling all day was very, very ideal.

And then, on top of that, I came home to 20-degree temperatures and bitter-cold snow. It’s officially gone from fall to winter here. Most of the leaves have fallen. This first round of snow brought any stragglers down.

This means all the more reason to make a cozy pumpkin mac and cheese recipe. I didn’t question it, and to my surprise, it ended up turning out even more delicious than what I had dreamt up in my head.

Here are the details

This recipe starts out with butter, garlic, thyme, and sage. Whisk this mix together and allow the butter to brown. Once you’ve browned the butter, remove the sage from the pot and set aside, but leave everything else.

Add the pasta and toss it in with the butter. Next goes the water to cook the pasta. And then a nice pinch of salt. Stir this until the pasta is al dente.

The rest is quick and easy. Add the milk, some cream cheese to thicken the sauce, canned pumpkin, and a mix of shredded cheddar cheese and gouda cheese. Then add the spices.

Stir the pot and continue cooking until the cheeses have all melted.

When it’s creamy and looking delicious (and delicious smelling), it’s done. I top the mac and cheese with the reserved sage leaves and grated nutmeg, some breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese would be great, too!

You can taste the warm sweetness from the pumpkin, but it’s subtle and so yummy when paired with gouda cheese.

Asher ate this up right away and never questioned the addition of pumpkin, so I’d say it’s also kid approved! Happy to now have this recipe as a staple for the fall months.

It really is perfect. Quick to make and very little mess. It’s a wonderful creamy pumpkin cheese sauce that I think is even more delicious than classic!

Delish!

Looking for other one pot recipes? Here are my favorites: 

French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

Brown Butter Pumpkin Tortellini Alla Vodka

Lastly, if you make this One Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

@halfbakedharvest

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♬ Daydreaming – Harry Styles