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Easy Weeknight Pasta Skillet (Weeknight)

Close-up of creamy macaroni in a skillet with cheese stretching upwards, perfect for an Easy Weeknight Pasta Skillet.
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A simple, one-pan recipe for creamy pumpkin cheddar macaroni, perfect for a quick family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more for salting pasta
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk warmed
  • 1 (8-ounce) block cheddar cheese shredded (about 2 ½ cups)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to package instructions. Drain and return the pasta to the pot, covered.
  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pumpkin puree, salt, pepper, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook until the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk until well combined.
  4. Turn off the heat. Gradually add the shredded cheddar, stirring until melted and smooth.
  5. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Notes

  • Cook the pasta to al dente. The noodles will soak up some of the pumpkin cheese sauce as it sits, so slightly undercooking them helps keep the texture of the macaroni from becoming mushy.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it sits, but it will loosen back up once warmed. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of milk or water to bring the sauce back to a creamy consistency. Avoid high heat it can cause the cheese to separate.

Nutrition

Keywords: Easy Weeknight Pasta Skillet (Weeknight), Pasta Skillet, Easy Dinner, Quick Meal, Weeknight, One Pan, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Find it online: https://www.meltitclean.com/easy-weeknight-pasta-skillet-weeknight/