Healthy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Indulge in a warm bowl of velvety mac and cheese. Each bite is a delectable blend of rich cheese sauce, warm spices, and smooth pumpkin purée. The addition of pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and earthy undertones, while also enhancing its creaminess. Get ready, this mac and cheese sets a new standard for comfort food. 

What can I expect?

All you’ll need are two pots and fifteen minutes to transform a favorite childhood comfort food into a dish that tastes gourmet! The key to elevating standard mac and cheese is to skip the powdered cheese and use natural ingredients to make your own creamy pumpkin cheese sauce instead. 

You won’t find any strange chemicals or preservatives in this recipe! Instead, pure pumpkin is mixed with warm spices and not one but three types of cheese to create a scrumptious sauce that’s loaded with nutrients. Far better than anything you’ll make from a box, the entire dish comes together in just 15 minutes. 

Complete with low-carb noodles, this pumpkin mac and cheese is loaded with fiber and nutrients for a delicious healthy comfort food you can feel good about sinking your fork into. 

Is Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Healthy? 

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Let’s look at the main ingredients: 

• Low-carb noodles
• Butter
• Almond flour 
• Pumpkin puree
• Cheese

Almond flour and pumpkin puree are natural, nutritious foods. Each has its own list of health benefits. Combine them with a dash of milk or cream, spices, and toss them with low-carb noodles, and you’ve got yourself a healthy bowl of mac and cheese.

But what about the cheese? Is dairy healthy? 

Here’s what we know. Dairy is full of vitamins, minerals, protein, and natural fat energy. But if everyone consumed dairy all the time, dairy farming would become abusive and unsustainable…

Let’s be mindful of our dairy intake. Buy dairy that comes from pasture-raised cows and limit consumption.

Enjoy this pumpkin mac and cheese knowing it supports your well-being. Learn more about eating less sugar here.

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Tips

1. Serve it over low-carb noodles

Traditionally mac and cheese is made with high-carb, gluten-containing noodles. However, by swapping them out with a low-carb option like edamame noodles or shirataki noodles, you can create a lightened-up dish containing all the same texture and flavors you love with a fraction of the carbs. 

2. Check your canned pumpkin 

Pure canned pumpkin purée is an affordable, natural, and nutritious ingredient. However, it’s often placed next to pumpkin pie filling on the shelves at the store. Double check your ingredient list to ensure pumpkin is the only ingredient, and avoid cans containing extra sugar, spices, and preservatives. 

3. Got leftover pumpkin? 

Don’t let it go to waste! Instead, save it for a second batch later in the week. Or, use it to make a pumpkin chocolate chip mug cake for a healthy after-dinner treat. 

4. How long does it last? 

Although this recipe is best enjoyed right away while it’s still warm and fresh, leftovers can be stored in the fridge or freezer to enjoy later. First, let them cool completely. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe glass container, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Or, place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

5. Make it a meal 

This mac and cheese is delicious and filling as it is. However, if you want to transform it into a complete meal, try mixing in cooked meat like chicken, turkey, or beef, and don’t forget to stir in an extra serving of veggies, too! Broccoli, mushrooms, and Brussels sprouts all taste great. 

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3. Chili Garlic Oil Noodles

4. Hidden Veggie Pasta

What are you going to serve with your Pumpkin Mac and Cheese? Let us know in the comments below!