Pumpkin, Rosemary, Shells and Cheese

Here is a Fall Twist on a Old Favorite!

What is more nostalgic than your childhood favorite

Macaroni and Cheese.  Now add some pumpkin, rosemary and a few extra spices and you have a healthy masterpiece.

Ingredients

- 16 oz. your favorite pasta (I love shells, you might like macaroni)

- 3 T. butter

- 4 T. flour

- 3 c. + 1/3 c. milk

- 12 oz. cheese, grated ( I use cheddar & mozzarella)

- 8 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed (sometimes only use 4 oz.)

- 1 c. pumpkin puree

- 1 T. fresh rosemary, minced

- 1 t. salt

- 1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

- 1/2 t. cayenne pepper

 

Cook pasta and drain out water.

In large skillet on medium heat: melt butter, add flour, whisking for about 30 seconds. Add 2 cups of milk and the rosemary, whisking continuously until smooth. Add the third cup of milk and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.   

 

 

Add pumpkin and cheese, then add Velveeta stir till melted. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, and followed by the additional 1/3 c. of milk.

Once cheese sauce is smooth, combine with cooked pasta and pour into a greased casserole dish {9x13}. 

 

Cook for 30 minutes.

 

Note:

Pumpkin is super healthy for you and lately I have been trying to find more things I can cook with it.  Hence my pumpkin chili and pumpkin pasta dish both of  which are amazing and you should try.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin:

*1 cup Pumpkin has 7.1 grams of Fiber which helps your body absorb nutrients from the food you eat.
*1 cup of Pumpkin has 3.4 grams of Iron, Iron helps your immune system.
*1 Cup Pumpkin contains 1,906 micrograms of vitamin A, which helps your eyes, bones and teeth healthy as well as boosts your immune system.
*1 cup of Pumpkin supplies you with 15 % of your daily vitamin E.
*Pumpkin has beta-carotene and antioxidant which helps reduce inflammation which helps with chronic health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and arthritis.

Be healthy and happy this fall!

Hugs,