Our beloved mac and cheese is always a winning meal. I make many versions now, but Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is a favourite in our pasta rotation. Easy, quick and so very delicious!
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is a healthier variant, but wonderfully creamy and cheesy. The sauce is smooth and rich but only seemingly so. Garlic, thyme, and smoked paprika add plenty of spice and flavour. I love the pop of colour that spinach imparts while nutritionally enriching the dish.
If you're looking for a quick, healthy, cozy meal, this is it!
Making the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- Toss the pumpkin, onions, garlic, red chilli, turmeric and thyme with olive oil. Spread out evenly on a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes at 200 C till the pumpkin is soft and cooked through.
- In the meantime, cook the macaroni till al dente in plenty of salted water. Drain well. Save one cup of pasta water for later use.
- Sauce - Blend the roasted vegetables and coconut milk in your blender until smooth.
- Pour out in a saucepan and season the sauce with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Let it come to a gentle boil.
- Add the cooked pasta and spinach. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of that pasta water you'd saved. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Gently stir in the parmesan cheese and serve warm. Enjoy!
Variations
- I like to serve it with a bowl of sauteed vegetables on the side, sometimes with a piece of grilled chicken or if I'm feeling particularly indulgent, then some pan-fried sausages really take it to the top!
- It's also easy to make vegan, with vegan cheese. It's just as good, I promise.
- If you want a baked version, simply sprinkle some cheese and breadcrumbs on top and bake till golden and bubbly.
One recipe, so many adaptations...take your pick and enjoy a delectable dinner. Eating well is indeed easy and amazingly delicious!
Half the joy of cooking is sharing it with others. That’s why I’m always eager to hear from you. So go right ahead & drop a comment or reach out on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook. I hope you love this pumpkin mac and cheese as much as we do!
📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 500 gms Pumpkin Diced
- 2 Onions Diced
- 8 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 500 ml Coconut milk I used light
- 300 gms Macaroni or any small pasta
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 Red chilli
- 50 gms Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 300 gms Spinach Chopped roughly
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 200C.
- Toss the pumpkin, onions, garlic, red chilli, turmeric and thyme with olive oil. Spread out evenly on a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes, till the pumpkin is soft and cooked through.
- In the meanwhile, cook the macaroni till al dente in plenty of salted water. Drain well. Save one cup of pasta water for later use.
- For the sauce: Blend together the roasted vegetables and coconut milk in your blender until smooth.
- Pour out in a saucepan and season the sauce with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Let it come to a gentle boil.
- Add the cooked pasta and spinach. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes. If the sauce seems to thick, add some of that pasta water you'd saved. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Gently stir in the parmesan cheese and serve warm. Enjoy!
Sonia Trakroo says
Did you use the White pumpkin or red
?
natashaminocha says
Hi Sonia! Red/ orange pumpkin 🙂
kanika kochhar says
broccoli i meant!!
kanika kochhar says
we are eating cholia rice with brocolli,mushrooms,tomatoes and onions tonight with bar -be -que chicken!
And i lov this mac and cheese recipe -will feed the kids on this!
natashaminocha says
Awesome! I hope you enjoyed the choliya rice. Do let me know how this mac 'n cheese worked out for you 🙂
Love