Roasted pumpkin mac and cheese
Creamy, cheesy roasted pumpkin mac and cheese is always a hit with our tamariki. This sweet twist on the classic is perfect for batch cooking and is great for leftovers the next day or as part of your meal prep for when you’re craving comfort food.
Ingredients
Method
Ingredients
- 1kg pumpkin, peeled and diced into 2cm chunks
- 50g Pams Pure butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 onions, diced
- ¾ cup Pams Pure plain flour
- 1.2 L Value standard milk
- 500g Value dried macaroni elbows pasta
- 2 ½ cups Pams Colby cheese, grated
Method
- Preheat your oven to 180°C fan bake. Place the pumpkin on a lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and season. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Allow to cool slightly before blending half of the pumpkin until smooth.
- Cook the macaroni pasta as per pack instructions, drain and reserve a cup of the cooking liquid.
- Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and onions and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute.
- Gradually stir in the milk and continue to cook for 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Stir through the blended pumpkin, three-quarters of the cheese and seasoning, then fold through the cooked pasta and remaining roasted pumpkin pieces. If necessary, use the reserved cooking liquid to loosen the sauce.
- Transfer the macaroni into a large baking dish and sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown on top. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Top tips:
- Can I add any other spices to a Mac and cheese? Yes, adding a teaspoon of nutmeg through the pasta just before baking gives a nuttier flavour to the sauce mixture. You can also stir through dried or fresh herbs for extra flavour or chilli flakes for an extra kick.
- Why is Colby cheese recommended? It is mild, sweet, buttery and melts well—perfect for Mac and cheese. You can substitute it with any other mild cheddar cheese for a similar flavour profile, or use another cheese of your choice.
Recipe notes and FAQs:
- How can I add extra vegetables to this? Stir a bag of roughly chopped spinach through the pasta just before baking to add some extra veg and flavour.
- Can I add any other spices to a Mac and cheese? Yes, adding a teaspoon of nutmeg through the pasta just before baking gives a nuttier flavour to the sauce mixture. You can also stir through dried or fresh herbs for extra flavour or chilli flakes for an extra kick.
- Can I store this in the freezer? To freeze roasted pumpkin mac and cheese, cool to room temperature before portioning out into airtight containers. Store in the freezer for up to a month.
- Can I add an alternative to milk? Yes, dairy-free milk of choice can also be added—the flavour will taste slightly different.
- Why is Colby cheese recommended? It is mild, sweet, buttery and melts well—perfect for Mac and cheese. You can substitute it with any other mild cheddar cheese for a similar flavour profile, or use another cheese of your choice.