Description
Savory pumpkin mac cups deliver autumn comfort in miniature form. Cheesy pasta nestled in crispy edges offers a delightful seasonal twist you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) elbow noodles
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) smoked gouda, grated
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) creamy havarti, grated
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) milk
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) canned pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a cupcake pan with cooking spray.
- Cook pasta until just shy of package instructions, approximately 2 minutes less than recommended time. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter until it becomes foamy and fragrant.
- Whisk flour into melted butter, stirring continuously until the mixture develops a nutty aroma, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually stream milk into the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Season the sauce with dijon mustard, salt, and pepper, blending thoroughly.
- Remove pot from heat and fold in pumpkin puree and cheeses until completely melted and integrated.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring each noodle is evenly coated.
- Distribute mac and cheese mixture into prepared cupcake pan, filling each cavity to the top.
- Sprinkle additional cheese and breadcrumbs over each cup for extra texture and flavor.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden and tops are slightly crispy.
- Allow cups to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, enabling them to set and hold their shape before serving.
Notes
- Perfectly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a delightful al dente texture in the final mac and cheese cups.
- Use sharp cheddar or gruyere for extra flavor complexity, elevating the traditional cheesy profile with deeper, more robust notes.
- Experiment with gluten-free pasta and flour alternatives for a celiac-friendly version without compromising creamy, comforting taste.
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top for an irresistible crispy golden crust that adds delightful textural contrast to the creamy interior.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg