Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the ULTIMATE comfort food for Fall. It’s like autumn in a casserole dish! This baked mac and cheese with bacon is loaded with cheese, pumpkin, sage, bacon, and more cheese. It’s one of the best macaroni and cheese recipes ever!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the answer to all your fall dreams! Baked mac and cheese with bacon and pumpkin…so delicious, you won’t want to stop eating this!

FALL IS HERE! And I want pumpkin in everything: pumpkin brownies, soup, even Pumpkin Mac and Cheese!

To celebrate my favorite time of year, I made this AMAZING Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Pumpkin! Don’t be scared of the pumpkin, this doesn’t taste like dessert. I think most people associate it with sweeter treats, but it’s super savory and total perfection. It even won over Pat, which is not an easy feat (he was skeptical to say the least when I asked him to open the pumpkin and dump it in).

The end result is an ultra creamy mac and cheese full of all the flavors of fall. Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is like Autumn in a casserole dish!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Ingredients

This Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon wouldn’t be as creamy and dreamy without MILK! I’ve partnered withREAL® Sealto encourage cooking withdairy and getting the word out about all its many nutritional benefits. Milk is such a great source ofcalcium, potassium, and vitamin D, not to mention protein and tons of other vitamins. Real® Seal makes it easy to identify products made from US-only cows milk. Can’t be replicated!

My favorite milk brand is Friendly Farms, found at Aldi. It’s Real® Seal and Hardin family approved! Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought this Fall themed twist on a classic would be right up everyone’s alleys. Serve up a big dish of this baked mac and cheese, get your costume on, and enjoy this nice weather!

What else is in this Pumpkin Mac and Cheese?

  • Bacon
  • Macaroni Noodles
  • Milk
  • Fontina Cheese
  • Pumpkin
  • Bread Crumbs
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Heavy Cream
  • Sage
  • Butter

And of course a few other simple things to finish off the recipe and make this the tastiest macaroni and cheese recipe ever!

Find more delicious and easy Pumpkin Recipes to make this fall season!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

I LOVE macaroni and cheese. It’s a total classic that really can’t be beat. There are the simple, quick recipes for macaroni and cheese, and then there are the more creative and fun mac and cheese recipes. There is a time and place for all of them, and the time for pumpkin mac and cheese is now! This baked mac and cheese with bacon is just too good. I want to serve it every night, but I’ll try to resist from overdoing it.

How to Make Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

This isn’t a 15 minute recipe for macaroni and cheese, but 30-40 minutes ain’t so bad either. And it’s worth the extra time to cook in all that flavor! Pumpkin, bacon, bread crumbs, and loooots of cheese all baked together in a casserole dish. I love how cheesy and creamy this recipe turns out, and the pumpkin and bacon add so much savoriness to it.

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

You won’t believe how much creaminess the pumpkin adds to this family favorite. Just the right touch of something extra to take a recipe from great to amazing. You guys know I love my cheese, but now I love pumpkin and cheese together thanks to this baked mac and cheese with bacon.

Be sure to follow along with Real® Seal viaPinterest,Facebook, and theirwebsitefor more info and recipes!

See the recipe card below for details on how to make Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!

If you like this bacon mac and cheese recipe, try some more fave macaroni and cheese recipes:

  • King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
  • Baked Mexican Mac and Cheese
  • White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
  • Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe
  • Loaded Chili Macaroni and Cheese
  • Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
  • Lobster Mac and Cheese
  • Pesto Mac and Cheese

Recipe

Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon

4.50 from 24 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

Serves6

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the ULTIMATE comfort food for Fall. It's like autumn in a casserole dish! This baked mac and cheese with bacon is loaded with cheese, pumpkin, sage, bacon, and more cheese. It's one of the best macaroni and cheese recipes ever!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

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Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 4 cups elbow macaroni cooked according to package instructions
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 cups 2% Milk I love Friendly Farms Brand
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded fontina cheese
  • 1 15 ounce can pumpkin
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped. (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F. Place bacon on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until very crispy. Allow to drain on a paper towel and then crumble into small pieces. Set aside.

  • When done with the bacon, switch the oven to 350F.

  • In a medium/large saucepan heat the butter over medium heat. Once fully melted, add the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir (constantly) to combine.

  • Pour in the milk and cream slowly, whisking constantly while you add. Allow to thicken, continuing to stir, until bubbly.

  • Add in the cheese one cup at a time, stirring to melt before adding the second cup. Stir in the pumpkin and sage.

  • Remove from the heat and pour over the cooked pasta, stirring to combine. Stir in the bacon crumbles, reserving some for garnish if desired.

  • In a separate small bowl, combine panko, parmesan, and olive oil.

  • Pour the macaroni into a large baking dish, pressing down slightly with your spoon to make the top level.

  • Pour the panko mixture over the noodles, covering the entire top. Sprinkle with extra sage if desired.

  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until everything is hot and bubbly and the bread crumbs are golden and toasted.

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with extra bacon if you're feeling sassy.

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 1049kcal (52%) Carbohydrates: 88g (29%) Protein: 35g (70%) Fat: 61g (94%) Saturated Fat: 31g (194%) Cholesterol: 169mg (56%) Sodium: 2042mg (89%) Potassium: 488mg (14%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 1640IU (33%) Vitamin C: 0.6mg (1%) Calcium: 538mg (54%) Iron: 2.6mg (14%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What are the names of the top 7 cheese to use in mac and cheese? ›

7 Best Cheeses for Macaroni and Cheese
  1. Cheddar. Cheddar is a staple for countless recipes. ...
  2. Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. ...
  3. Gruyere. Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. ...
  4. Brie. ...
  5. Smoked Gouda. ...
  6. Monterey Jack. ...
  7. Fontina. ...
  8. Sausage Mac and Cheese.

Who was the first person to make mac and cheese? ›

The first modern recipe for macaroni and cheese was included in Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. Raffald's recipe is for a Béchamel sauce with cheddar cheese—a Mornay sauce in French cooking—which is mixed with macaroni, sprinkled with Parmesan, and baked until bubbly and golden.

What was mac and cheese first called? ›

While historians cite the 13th century Italian cookbook “Liber de Coquina” as the first written and recognized macaroni and cheese recipe — a dish called de lasanis — the classic American side item arrived by way of France — courtesy of James Hemings.

Why is my baked mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

How old is mac and cheese? ›

The earliest recorded mac and cheese recipe dates all the way back to 1769 and most likely comes from Northern Europe. In America, we've been enjoying this staple thanks to Thomas Jefferson.

What culture is baked mac and cheese from? ›

While it feels like a quintessentially American recipe, it should be no surprise that a cheesy pasta casserole's origins are in ancient Italy - and here's the history of mac and cheese!

What does s mac stand for? ›

S'MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is an exciting eatery located in the heart of Manhattan's East Village.

What do Canadians call mac and cheese? ›

When I lived in Canada, we didn't call macaroni and cheese “Mac and Cheese.” Instead, we called it “Kraft Dinner.” In other words, we referred to the particular brand. I had thought it was identical to Americans' Mac and Cheese produced by Kraft Foods.

Is mac and cheese healthy? ›

All is not lost, mac and cheese can be a wholesome, healthy dish. Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium, and pasta adds fiber and energy-producing carbohydrates. You can enjoy simple and traditional recipes as long as you keep the portions small.

What country eats the most mac and cheese? ›

Sure, Americans love their mac and cheese. But not as much as Canadians. In fact, Canadians love macaroni and cheese, and they love it more than anyone else in the world and consume the most macaroni and cheese per capita!

Did a president invented mac and cheese? ›

He also wasn't necessarily the one cooking it. The person who truly invented the mac and cheese we know was Jefferson's chef – more importantly, his enslaved chef – James Hemings.

Who invented pasta? ›

According to history, however, pasta's earliest roots begin in China, during the Shang Dynasty (1700-1100 BC), where some form of pasta was made with either wheat or rice flour. Pasta also appears to be a feature in the ancient Greek diet in the first millennium BC.

When was mac and cheese 19 cents? ›

In 1937, deep in the Great Depression, Kraft Foods introduced boxed macaroni and cheese. At 19 cents for a meal that served four, it became a popular staple then and during war rationing. The company sold 8 million boxes in a year, according to Smithsonian magazine.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

What thickens mac and cheese? ›

Butter and flour: This makes our roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk.

What kind of pasta is used in mac and cheese? ›

By definition, classic macaroni and cheese should be made with, well, macaroni, a style broadly defined as any short, cylindrical extruded pasta. This includes tubes like ziti, penne, rigatoni and, yes, elbows, as well as corkscrew shapes like fusilli.

Is macaroni healthy? ›

Cooking macaroni without excessive cheese or creamy sauces can help you enjoy a meal that is naturally low in fat and cholesterol. This makes it a heart-healthy choice, as reducing saturated and trans fats in your diet can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

What is macaroni real name? ›

Mr Macaroni Biography
Real nameDebo Adebayo
Date of birth3rd May 1993
Country of OriginFederal Republic of Nigeria
State of OriginLagos State
NicknameMr. Macaroni
3 more rows
May 28, 2024

Is mac and cheese a black dish? ›

Macaroni and cheese is a beloved holiday classic, and has deep roots in the African American cooking tradition. Macaroni and cheese is one of many popular holiday dishes that has ties to enslaved Black peoples who adapted their customs from West Africa and experiences in America to their cooking traditions.

Do they eat macaroni and cheese in Italy? ›

Mac and cheese doesn't even exist in Italy. Italians would never add milk mixed with spices to pasta. The cheeses used as a pasta topping or as an ingredient are usually Parmigiano, pecorino sheep cheese or Gorgonzola. There's no cheddar in Italy.

Is macaroni Chinese or Italian food? ›

Macaroni
Alternative namesMaccheroni ( sg. : maccherone)
Place of originItaly
Main ingredientsDurum wheat
Food energy (per 100 g serving)350.5 kcal (1467 kJ)
Nutritional value (per 100 g serving)Protein 13 g Fat 1.5 g Carbohydrate 75 g
3 more rows

What makes mac and cheese better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What is the most popular type of cheese? ›

MOZZARELLA – THE WORLD's MOST POPULAR CHEESE.

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