Our beloved mac and cheese is always a winning meal.  I make many versions now, but Pumpkin Mac and Cheese one is a favourite in our pasta roatation. Easy, quick and so very delicous!

Pumpkin Mac' n Cheese

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, 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, cosy meal, this is it!

Pumpkin Mac' n Cheese

Making the Pumpkin Man 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 meanwhile, cook the macaroni till al dente in plenty of salted water. Drain well. Save one cup of pasta water for later use.
  • 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 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!

Pumpkin Mac' n Cheese

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Print Recipe

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

If you're looking for a quick, healthy, cosy meal, this Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is it!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy cooking, easy pasta recipe, healthy pasta, mac and cheese, mac n cheese, pasta, pumpkin pasta
Servings: 4 persons
Calories:
Author: Natasha Minocha

Ingredients

  • 800 gms Pumpkin Diced
  • 2 Onions Diced
  • 8 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 500 ml Coconut milk I used light
  • 500 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!