Can you really put pumpkin in everything? When it comes to food I think you can. I especially love that pumpkin is actually good for you and that Autumn isn't "Donut Season" or something like that. Cause temptation would be a real problem. But luckily that is not the case. Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber! And it tastes amazing. I already add it to my coffee, oatmeal, toast, and yes even savory dishes like my most coveted comfort food...Macaroni and Cheese.
To me this comforting dish would go perfectly with a glass of white wine and a night of watching old Gilmore Girl episodes. I am obsessed with that show. I own all 7 seasons and it's such a "Fall" show! And I am so happy all of the episodes are on Netflix! I used to watch it with my mom all the time and we would pretend to be Lorelei and Rory because we are best friends too! Love you mom! 🙂
This macaroni and cheese is "Autumnized" for the season and is packed with a savory pumpkin flavor, cheddar, and sage. It's like the best thing ever.
This makes a great side dish or if your like me. The main course.
To make this dish even lighter I used Quinoa pasta. I love this pasta because it's much lower in calories and high in protein! I also used reduced fat cheddar and I used no additional salt in this recipe. It doesn't need it.
I am going to keep making this recipe throughout the season, or heck, throughout the year. I hope you add it to your menu this week too!
You Need:
12 oz Quinoa pasta
1 tbs unsalted butter
1 tbs whole wheat flour
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 garlic cloves minced
½ onion diced
1 can of pumpkin puree
1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 ¼ cup of fat free half and half
2 cups of reduced fat cheddar
2 tbs freshly chopped sage leaves
2 tbs parmesan
¼ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
In a large skillet with sides ( to hold sauce), melt butter on medium heat
Add the garlic and onion and stir frequently ( so it doesn't burn or stick to the sides) until softened ( 5 minutes)
Add flour and cayenne pepper and stir until well blended
Add the half and half and stir until it thickens ( 3 minutes)
Add the chicken broth and pumpkin and mix thoroughly
Stir in the cheddar and sage leaves until smooth
Turn heat to low.
Prepare pasta per instructions on box and drain
Pour pasta into skillet and toss to coat with pumpkin cheese mixture
Pour pasta into a baking pan
Top with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs
Spray bread crumbs with a little extra virgin olive oil ( to help with browning)
Put in oven for 8 minutes.
It's ready to eat! Enjoy!
- 12 oz Quinoa pasta
- 1 tbs unsalted butter
- 1 tbs whole wheat flour
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ onion diced
- 1 can of pumpkin puree
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cup of fat free half and half
- 2 cups of reduced fat cheddar
- 2 tbs freshly chopped sage leaves
- 2 tbs parmesan
- ¼ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
- Preheat oven to 350
- In a large skillet with sides ( to hold sauce), melt butter on medium heat
- Add the garlic and onion and stir frequently ( so it doesn't burn or stick to the sides) until softened ( 5 minutes)
- Add flour and cayenne pepper and stir until well blended
- Add the half and half and stir until it thickens ( 3 minutes)
- Add the chicken broth and pumpkin and mix thoroughly
- Stir in the cheddar and sage leaves until smooth
- Turn heat to low.
- Prepare pasta per instructions on box and drain
- Pour pasta into skillet and toss to coat with pumpkin cheese mixture
- Pour pasta into a baking pan
- Top with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs
- Spray bread crumbs with a little extra virgin olive oil ( to help with browning)
- Put in oven for 8 minutes.
- It's ready to eat! Enjoy!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I'm watching Gilmore Girls as I type! I love the look of this mac and cheese too. So scrumptious!
sweetasacookie says
I used to love Gilmore Girls! My mom got me the complete season and it came with a dictionary so I could look up who and what they were talking about. haha BEST gift ever!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I could literally eat this mac and cheese every single day!
Cravings of a Lunatic says
Love this mac n cheese. And love that you adore Gilmore Girls. I always tell people me an my daughter are like the Gilmore Girls, but with swearing.
Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet says
Ohhh talk about comfort food, yum! Love that you added pumpkin!
veganinthefreezer says
What a fantastic recipe. Love all the ingredients. You and your mom are beautiful together!
Back for Seconds says
I am totally craving this now! And I love the cute pumpkin dish!
[email protected] Mom says
I haven't tried quinoa pasta yet, but boy does it look good with that melted cheese all over!
LaurenKellyNutrition says
Love the fall twist on mac and cheese! And I LOVED Gilmore Girls too!!
ashley says
Love the name! It made me smile 🙂 This is my kinda mac 'n cheese!
Heather | girlichef (@girlichef) says
First of all, Autumnized is my new favorite word. Second, YUMMMM - pumpkin and sage in mac 'n cheese sounds heavenly.
[email protected] says
haha Autumnized is my new favorite word. It was in my head and now it's on the internet! Thanks Heather!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Omg, Gilmore Girls! I'm so beyond excited about this. I definitely MUST make this mac and cheese and just sit in front of the TV all day Saturday, binging.