Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Whole wheat spiral pasta is coated in a rich cheese sauce made with pumpkin puree, soy milk, Cheddar, onion, garlic, and a little whole wheat flour. Pumpkin adds gentle sweetness and warm color to the familiar cheesy flavor, making this an easy, comforting meal for a weeknight dinner or a cozy autumn table.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook25 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 55 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 16 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 55 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 37
- Heart Health
- 82
- Metabolic
- 57
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 40
- Performance
- 46
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
- 2
Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in whole wheat flour until combined. Stir in soy milk, pumpkin puree, and Cheddar cheese.
- 3
Drain pasta and mix into the sauce. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Calories 742.34 kcal High 37%
- Protein 32.88 g Good Source 66%
- Carbohydrate 93.07 g 34%
- Total Fat 26.66 g High 34%
- Saturated Fat 10.89 g High 54%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 60.68 mg High 20%
- Sodium 421.43 mg Moderate 18%
- Dietary Fiber 13.13 g Good Source 47%
- Total Sugars 9.27 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 711.09 mg Good Source 55%
- Iron 4.55 mg Good Source 25%
- Potassium 331.32 mg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin A 439.59 mcg Good Source 49%
- Vitamin C 4.35 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin D 1.83 mcg Low Source 9%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Soy 🌱
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese is made with 11 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 35 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Cheddar Cheese, Garlic, Onion, and Pumpkin. Each serving provides about 742.34 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese made of?
- The main ingredients are Cheddar Cheese, Garlic, Onion, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Puree. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese?
- About 35 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 25 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 742.34 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 11 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese healthy?
- Weeknight Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 742.34 calories and 32.88 g of protein, or 66% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, calcium, iron and vitamin A. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 421.43 mg (18% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 10.89 g (54% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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