Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Perfect for a fall dinner party, enjoy this Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese comfort dish. Serve with a side green salad and hot crunchy bread!
Oh, I love the feel of fall in the air, and diving into a hot dish of Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese!
Mac and Cheese
The flavors of this mac and cheese comfort dish–tender macaroni and apples, rich and cheesy pumpkin sauce, and a crisp bread crumb topping–it’s hard to stop at one bowl! Mac and cheese is a great dish to serve to company, too, because everyone loves it! (Maybe you tried this Bacon Leek Mac and Cheese … so good!)
Friends, does having friends over intimidate you? Maybe you are an introvert and it stresses you out. I get it.
Start small. Make one dish, and a side salad, and have your guests bring dessert. Easy!
Easy or not?
“Cooking is a caring and nurturing act. It’s kind of the ultimate gift for someone, to cook for them. It creates all this beautiful stuff, conversation, appreciation, romance. All the most important things in life you do around a dinner table.” — Curtis Stone
Sharing a meal is a gift to others
That’s right. I love to think of sharing a meal as a gift to others.
Our home isn’t big at all, but it’s made for hosting, because my husband and I vowed it would be.
It was our mission from the beginning, when we first got married.
Start small
We actually talked about it before we said our vows, how we’d use the space that we were given to invite others in. Not knowing exactly what that would mean, 27 years later we can honestly say that we’ve had hundreds, if not thousands, around our dinner table.
Start small. I really mean that. Hospitality should not be overcomplicated.
Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
This lovely Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese is a dish you can make ahead.
Saute the apples until nice and soft. Add all other ingredients. Prepare and place in the fridge, then pop in the oven right before the guests show up!
The cheese … it has a bold flavor with Cheddar–Gruyere cheese. If you can’t find the combo, you can use Cheddar and Gruyere (or Swiss cheese, like Jarlsberg).
Add additional gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese. It is remarkably rich and melts in your mouth with every bite.
The rosemary, apples, and pumpkin just make this dish so ….. good!
Make your favorite green salad.
Ask your guests to bring bread and wine.
Set a simple table.
Focus on the table and the people, not all the distractions that can get in the way.
Oh, and dessert? How about keeping the pumpkin theme going and serve pumpkin gelato or ice cream? It’s in the stores right now!
A dinner invite is a gift that we can give to others!
Get the Recipe:
Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 c.uncooked macaroni elbow pasta
- 1/2 c. pumpkin puree
- 1 c. gruyere cheddar cheese
- 1 c. gorgonzola cheese
- 1 c. parmesan cheese
- 2 c. heavy cream
- 1/2 c. bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped rosemary, separated in half
- 3 c. apples, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 c. olive oil
- Additional cheddar to top
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1/4 cup of salt (do not add oil). Pour in pasta and allow to come back to a boil before starting timer. Cook for 7 minutes, or until pasta is el dente.
- Remove from heat, strain, and rinse under cold water.
- In a large sauce pan, bring heavy cream to a simmer, then add in gruyere cheddar, gorgonzola, parmesan, and pumpkin puree. Gently mix until all the cheese has melted. Lower heat to keep warm, then add in pasta. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
- In medium sauce pan, heat olive oil, then add apples and sauté on medium-high for 4-5 minutes. Add in salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.
- Mix apples into pasta and cheese.
- Coat a deep baking dish—oval or 9X13—with oil, then pour in pasta.
- Top with breadcrumbs, cheddar, and rosemary.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (uncovered), then remove and serve hot.
More mac and cheese recipes: Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese [Well Plated], Chicken Enchilada Mac and Cheese [Shugary Sweets], and Cheesey Chicken Enchilada Pasta [RE].
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I’d like to make the recipe but would like to know what size to cut the apples into? Is it 4 cups uncooked or cooked macaroni? 4 cups cooked doesn’t seem like enough to feed 4-6 people if it’s the main dish.
Thank you!
Hey there, it’s uncooked macaroni, and the apples are 1-inch pieces :)Enjoy!
Wow!! This sounds amazing!!! I would have never thought to pair apples with a mac and cheese. Pumpkin, yes!!
I may have to try this, one day!!