Pumpkin Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese

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 post is sponsored in conjunction with PumpkinWeek . I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

      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. Whem 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 Cabot's delicious pepperjack cheese.

      Now my husband thinks he doesn't like pumpkin. Little Dude avoids pepperjack 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!

      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! 😉

pumpkin, macaroni and cheese, pepper jack macaroni and cheese, stovetop macaroni and cheese, creamy macaroni and cheese, bacon

side dish, pumpkin

American

Yield: 12 servingsAuthor: Cooking With Carlee

Pumpkin Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese

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.

prep time: 10 minscook time: 25 minstotal time: 35 mins

ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons bacon grease (or butter)
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• salt and pepper
• 8 ounces pepper jack cheese
• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp dried mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 16 oz box of pasta, cooked al dente
• 6 slices crispy bacon
• optional: red pepper flakes

instructions

1. Cook your pasta to al dente, drain and set aside. 
2. In a large pot, melt bacon grease or butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for a minute or two, stirring frequently. 
3. 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. 
4. Cube or grate the pepper jack cheese.  Stir the cheese, pumpkin, mustard powder and garlic into the thickened milk.  
5. Heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. 
6. Stir in al dente pasta. Add a splash or two additional milk if needed. 
7. Chop the crisp bacon and stir most of it in, reserve a Tablespoon or so for garnish. 
8. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking and add some red pepper flakes if you want it spicy!

https://www.cookingwithcarlee.com/2018/09/pumpkin-pepper-jack-macaroni-and-cheese.html

Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2018

Created using The Recipes Generator

Here are today's #PumpkinWeek recipes:

Beverages:

Pumpkin Juice from House of Nash Eats

Pumpkin Old Fashioned from The Redhead Baker

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake from The Beard and The Baker

Savory:

Black Futsu Pumpkin Pizza from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta Bake from Hezzi-D's books and Cooks

Ham & Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin Rolls from Amy's Cooking Adventures

Mincemeat Pumpkin Pie from 4 Sons 'R' Us

Pumpkin Seafood Curry from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Pumpkin Cheddar Ale Soup from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Pumpkin Grilled Cheese Sticks from Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Pumpkin Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese from Cooking with Carlee

Pumpkin Ravioli (Tortelli di Zucca) from Caroline's Cooking

Pumpkin Sausage Penne Pasta from Jonesin' For Taste

Baked Goods & Desserts:

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pumpkin Cake from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Chocolate Truffle Pumpkin Pound Cake from Family Around the Table

Easy Healthy Pumpkin Muffins from Everyday Eileen

No Bake Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie from Eat Move Make

Pumpkin Bacon Waffles with Cinnamon Syrup from For the Love of Food

Pumpkin Caramel Scones from Cookaholic Wife

Pumpkin Chia Pudding from April Golightly

Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars from Who Needs A Cape?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins from The Crumby Kitchen

Pumpkin Chocolate Donuts from The Bitter Side of Sweet

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting from Daily Dish Recipes

Pumpkin French Toast from Seduction In The Kitchen

Pumpkin White Chocolate Lava Cakes from The Spiffy Cookie

Pumpkin Pecan Pie Layer Cake from Love and Confections

Pumpkin Pie Dessert Dip from Hardly A Goddess

Pumpkin Pie Krispie Treats from The Mandatory Mooch

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts from Platter Talk