I thought it was only appropriate to kick off October with another pumpkin recipe! But instead of sweets, this time it’s pumpkin-meets-savory-comfort-food with this Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese!
I was going back and forth today, though, about whether to just make the macaroni plain on the stovetop or bake it up with some extra breadcrumbs. So I turned to my favorite research lab – Instagram. And you all are awesome! Within minutes, I had a long list of your heartfelt convictions about mac and cheese. Breadcrumbs or no breadcrumbs. Baked or stovetop.
While I admittedly tend towards being a mac and cheese purist, and like it just served straight from the stovetop, the overwhelming majority of responses voted to have this baked with breadcrumbs. So your wish is my command! And to be honest, I think you may be onto something here. This recipe turned out to be absolutely delicious! Loved the creamy, smoky cheddar pumpkin sauce. And then once it was baked to bubbly perfection, those toasted breadcrumbs definitely did give it an extra comfort-food-y kick. So good!
(Although for you purists, I should note that you could easily serve this recipe as stovetop macaroni. I did a little taste-test before popping this in the oven, and pretty much had to will myself to let the dish disappear into the oven for another half hour!)
However you make it, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love this one. Enjoy!!
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Today when I woke up, it finally felt like autumn.
There has been a crisp breeze moving in over the past few days, but I have still been clinging to my iced coffees, sandals and open car windows in hopes of savoring just a few more days of summer. But today felt different. It felt like a new season had arrived, and the world was ready.
As much as I enjoy the comfort of warm meals, cute scarves and the holidays that autumn brings, what I most love is seeing the world slow down a bit and settle in for a new season. It’s as though the cold and drives us into hiding, where we burrow in with friends and family, reflect on where life has brought us since the last time we wore our winter coats, and share together in some of the favorite traditions of the season.
So today I celebrated one of my favorite “firsts” of autumn — baking with pumpkin. For some reason, muffins felt like the perfect comfort food of the day. So I made a simple batch of delicious spiced pumpkin muffins, and then topped them with a simple cinnamon streusel. And since firsts are firsts, I thought it was only appropriate to go for it and top them with a light sugar glaze. But then they seemed too perfect for sharing, so I took them around to our neighbors, and now our building is filled with the smell and flavors of pumpkin spice. I love it. And they all said to share with you that the muffins were delightful, and that you should give them a try. ;)
Wishing you all a wonderful new season shared with those you love! And of course, much more delicious baking with pumpkin!
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