Pumpkin Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese

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The perfect combination of savory, cheesy goodness with just a bit of spice. Pumpkin pepper jack macaroni and cheese is a delicious and fun side dish that will have them asking for seconds.

This recipe has everything you’d want in a gourmet macaroni and cheese. There’s the pasta, the cheese, the bacon… and the pumpkin!

Even if you’re skeptical, you should do yourself a favor and give it a try.

I created this recipe on a whim. When thinking pumpkin, my brain naturally tends to think sweet.

There’s the cheesecake stuffed pumpkin bundt cake, pumpkin ooey gooey butter cake and even pumpkin pie baked oatmeal for a more virtuous treat.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know pumpkin works in savory food as well. We loved Lisa’s pumpkin soup and apple ale pumpkin chili after all.

But it’s just not where my brain tends to go.

Instead of just whipping up pumpkin dessert after pumpkin dessert, I thought it would be fun to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit.

Now adding squash to macaroni and cheese isn’t completely foreign to us. I made an acorn squash macaroni and cheese years ago.

But this time pepper jack was calling my name. I don’t know why really, but pumpkin pepper jack macaroni and cheese was tumbling around in my head.

At first I thought it was a wonderful idea, but then I wasn’t so sure. So I did what one does when faced with a dilemma and looked on pinterest for recipes.

I figured I’d read some comments and reviews and see if other people think combining pumpkin and pepperjack is a good idea.

Unfortunately I didn’t find much. I suppose I could have taken that as a sign that it shouldn’t be done, but instead I forged on.

Do you know what? I’m glad I did!

This recipe has the perfect balance of savory saltiness from the bacon, earthiness from the pumpkin and creamy cheesy spice from delicious pepper jack cheese.

Now my husband thinks he doesn’t like pumpkin. Little Dude avoids pepper jack for fear of it being too spicy.

So I pulled a sneaky kitchen magic trick and made it when neither were looking.

My boxed mac and cheese loving guys enjoyed it. They went back for seconds even!

Good thing I neglected to tell them what it was!

The pumpkin gives the mac and cheese a natural orange color. It also keeps the mac and cheese from feeling too dry.

The cheese added just a bit of spice and that creamy cheesy goodness you’d expect in a good macaroni and cheese.

I highly advise you don’t skip the bacon. That smokiness really ties the whole thing together.

While I’m sure it would be good without, it is great with it. Though I can’t say I’m surprised, it is bacon after all!

We enjoyed ours with some bacon wrapped pork loin and crockpot spiced apples. It really was the perfect fall dinner.

So we’ll see if my husband spies these pictures on social media and notices the title… it’ll be interesting to see what he says! 😉

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Pumpkin Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese

Carlee

The perfect combination of savory, cheesy goodness with just a bit of spice. Pumpkin pepper jack macaroni and cheese is a delicious and fun side dish that will have them asking for seconds.

5 from 6 ratings

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 233 kcal

Equipment

• Non-Stick Silicone Cooking Utensils Set with Natural Acacia Hard Wood Handle
• Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Deep Teal

Ingredients

  

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• 3 Tablespoons bacon grease or butter
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 2½ cups milk
• salt and pepper
• 8 ounces pepper jack cheese
• 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 16 oz box of pasta cooked al dente
• 6 slices crispy bacon
• optional: red pepper flakes

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Instructions

 

• Cook your pasta to al dente, drain and set aside.
• In a large pot, melt bacon grease or butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for a minute or two, stirring frequently.
• Continue stirring while pouring in the milk. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the mixture starts to simmer and thicken and then drop the heat to low.
• Cube or grate the pepper jack cheese. Stir the cheese, pumpkin, mustard powder and garlic into the thickened milk.
• Heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Stir in al dente pasta. Add a splash or two additional milk if needed.
• Chop the crisp bacon and stir most of it in, reserve a Tablespoon or so for garnish.
• Adjust salt and pepper to your liking and add some red pepper flakes if you want it spicy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 269mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

Tried this recipe?Mention @carleecooks or tag #cookingwcarlee!

Thanks for sharing!