🧀 Cozy Pumpkin Cheddar Pasta

The Buzzy B | November Recipe of the Week 🍂

Because sometimes dinner needs to feel like a warm hug, preferably one that doesn't require 47 ingredients or three hours in the kitchen.

Pumpkin isn't just for pies and overpriced fall drinks! This creamy, cheesy pasta combines the comforting goodness of macaroni and cheese with a little pumpkin magic.

And before anyone panics, no, it doesn't taste like pumpkin pie. It's savory, creamy, and packed with cheddar goodness. The pumpkin adds a velvety texture and a little extra nutrition, which we can quietly celebrate while the kids ask for seconds. 🎃

25 min

Total time

4–6

Servings

$8–$12

Estimated total

🛒 Ingredients

12 oz elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini

1 cup plain pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs for topping

👩‍🍳 Let's get cooking!

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1. Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

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2. Start the creamy sauce

In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.

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3. Add the pumpkin magic

Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in pumpkin purée, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

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4. Make it cheesy

Reduce heat to low. Gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted. Avoid boiling the sauce once the cheese is added. Season with salt and pepper.

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5. Bring it all together

Add cooked pasta and toss until coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until creamy.

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6. Serve and enjoy!

Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan or toasted breadcrumbs, if desired. Serve warm.

💛 Buzzy's kitchen tips

• Extra protein: Add cooked shredded chicken, turkey, or white beans.

• More veggies: Stir in finely chopped spinach or steamed broccoli.

• For picky eaters: Start with ½ cup pumpkin purée instead of a full cup for a milder flavor.

• Make it extra creamy: Add 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.

• Leftovers: Refrigerate promptly in a covered container for 3–4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk.

🐝 A little dinner-table wisdom

Some nights, dinner is homemade pasta served in matching bowls with a side of vegetables.

Other nights, it's cereal, string cheese, and whatever mysterious crackers are still living in the pantry.

Both nights, everyone gets fed. That's a parenting victory.

💕 Hungry for more family-friendly ideas?

The Buzzy B is serving up easy recipes, affordable crafts, clever parenting hacks, and a color-coded family event calendar packed with things to do throughout Southern Colorado.

Visit www.thebuzzyb.com to explore more recipes, discover family adventures, and subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter!

Because making parenting easier and more fun should include figuring out what's for dinner. 🐝💛