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 servings

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
- 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!
Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2018
Created using The Recipes Generator
Here are today's #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Beverages:
Pumpkin Juice from House of Nash EatsPumpkin Old Fashioned from The Redhead Baker
Pumpkin Pie Milkshake from The Beard and The Baker
Savory:
Black Futsu Pumpkin Pizza from Culinary Adventures with CamillaCheesy 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 KitchenChocolate 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

YUM! You have taken Mac and Cheese such a heavenly pumpkin notch and I have to admit I just love saying Pumpkin Pepper Jack...lol. Happy Weekend beautiful. Get your pumpkin on some more!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that pepperjack really kicked it up a notch.
ReplyDeleteThis has to be the best macaroni and cheese EVER! I love pepper jack, and I love pumpkin in savory food. An extra large helping for me please!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that looks so AMAZING!! I wish I could taste it through the screen! :) Lisa
ReplyDeleteThis dish sounds very interesting. It is definitely not something that I would have thought of putting together. I guess that I'll have to give it a try. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading, I was wondering if this would be husband approved. You are genius Carlee!
ReplyDeleteIt is an unusual combination, but I trust you and will have to make this some day... When husband is not watching, lol!
Congratulations on the feature on Friday Frenzy. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteThis looks sooooo good!
ReplyDelete