A healthy twist on the comfort food classic, your entire family will love this baked mac and cheese with pumpkin.
Mac and cheese is a delicious go-to in our house, and adding in the seasonal flavor of pumpkin is a huge crowd pleaser; especially with the kids! It is the best of both worlds: it satisfies your craving for warm and hearty comfort food, but doesn’t leave you feeling like you just ate two sticks of butter.
Another great baked pasta, try my Sausage and Eggplant Baked Pasta next!
What Makes it Healthy?
- Eliminate White Pasta: By using whole wheat pasta instead of bleached white-flour pasta, you not only add vitamins and nutrients, but you incorporate protein and fiber which helps keep you satisfied.
- Boost Nutrition with Pumpkin: Pure pumpkin not only adds a delicious, creamy texture, but it is a low-calorie source of vitamins including vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, iron, and folate.
- Swap Out Butter for Olive Oil: Do you see that gorgeous, deep brown crust on that baby? Traditionally, that is created by adding butter to the top of the bread crumbs before baking. Well, guess what? Olive oil accomplishes the same goal without the saturated fat and bad cholesterol that comes with butter. Added bonus: olive oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids that actually lower cholesterol.
How to Make Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin
Start by cooking your pasta. I like to use elbows, but any spiral shaped pasta works great to catch the creamy sauce.
Once your pasta is finished cooking, strain and set aside.
Next, you’ll create a nice roux in a large pot by melting your butter and mixing in the flour over medium-high heat.
Slowly add your milk, while continuously whisking, until it begins to thicken. Typically about 5-7 minutes.
Next, add your shredded cheese and stir in until it’s melted.
Once the cheese is melted, stir in your pure pumpkin purée for added creamy, fall flavor.
Then you’ll add your grated garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. As always, I like to use freshly grated ingredients using my microplane.
Next you’ll grab the pasta you set aside and stir it into the sauce.
We don’t want the mac and cheese to dry out in the oven, so adding the yogurt helps by bringing additional moisture and creaminess.
You’ll top it off with your Dijon mustard, and make sure it is all mixed in and coated thoroughly.
Transfer your mac and cheese to a medium sized casserole dish and sprinkle the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
To help get that crust crispy and brown, finish with the olive oil before popping it in the oven at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
You’ll know its done with the top is browned and the edges are bubbling. Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I store the leftovers?
Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?
Is pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie mix the same?
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Of course, changing up the ingredients will also change up the nutritional value, but here are some other healthy options if you want to shake things up.
- Don’t have plain yogurt? You can also use low-fat sour cream or cottage cheese.
- Swap out the pumpkin. Try it with butternut squash, broccoli, or carrots! Really any veggie can be added to this delicious baked mac and cheese.
- Make it gluten free. You can always replace the bread crumbs with crushed corn tortilla chips, corn meal, almond flour, or crackers. And swap out the pasta for a gluten-free noodle.
- Dairy-free mac and cheese. I know you might be thinking, dairy-free mac and cheese? But it’s totally possible to enjoy this comfort food even if you can’t have dairy. Replace the milk with plain, unflavored almond milk. Use vegan cheese; there are plenty of options that are soy or rice based. To still get the tangy, creaminess of the yogurt, use coconut milk with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Other Recipes to Try
Are you a cheese fiend? I have plenty of other delicious, cheesy recipes to try. Here are just a few to get you started:
- Stovetop Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Lemon Basil Grilled Cheese Panini
- Stovetop Tuna Mac and Cheese
- Low Carb Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna
Love all things pumpkin? Here are some other great recipes using pumpkin!
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort foods, and this Baked Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin is one of my favorites.
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Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin?
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Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat elbows (cooked al dente)
- 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk (any type)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar (2% reduced fat)
- 1 cup pure pumpkin
- 1 tablespoon dijon
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt (low fat)
- 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees and have a medium-sized casserole dish ready. Place prepared pasta in a large bowl and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium sauce pot and gently whisk in flour. Slowly pour in milk and continuously whisk over medium heat until it begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in shredded cheese, pumpkin, grated garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Whisk mixture until cheese is melted and sauce thickens even further, about 5 more minutes.
- Pour pumpkin cheese sauce over the pasta in the bowl and mix until pasta is evenly coated. Stir in plain yogurt and Dijon, then pour entire mixture into baking dish.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs, parmesan, and olive oil evenly on top of the pasta then bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the contents bubble and the top forms a nice crust.
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