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    Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

    Sep 25, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    1.2K shares

    Read in: Deutsch

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    Pumpkin Mac & Cheese Pinterest Pin

    Perhaps the best vegan pumpkin Mac and Cheese you will ever eat! Macaroni tossed with a creamy vegan pumpkin cheese sauce and sprinkled with fragrant panko-sage breadcrumbs – plant-based comfort food at its highest level!

    vegan pumpkin mac and cheese

    Pumpkin pasta has never been creamier, tastier, nor easier to cook! I dare to call this pumpkin mac and cheese recipe one of the best fall soul food of all time. 

    Pumpkin and pasta are a great combination, but it gets even better when you transform the two into a modified version of Macaroni and Cheese.

    The pumpkin pasta sauce is a mixture of pumpkin puree and vegan cheese sauce, making it incredibly delicious, smooth, and creamy. Besides, pumpkin adds healthy nutrients to this pasta dish and a vibrant yellow-orange color.

    And as if that’s not enough! Aren’t vegan pumpkin mac and cheese even better with a crunchy topping? That’s why we top them off with golden brown toasted sage-panko-breadcrumbs!

    pumpkin mac and cheese in a large bowl with golden cutlery

    No matter what your plans are, you can serve a loaded bowl of this dairy-free pumpkin pasta for your next date night, family, dinner, or a cozy TV night. 

    Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    It’s rather simple to make a plant-based mac and cheese sauce. All you need is pumpkin puree, cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, and a few spices. 

    Toss everything in a blender and blend it into a smooth and creamy sauce! No expensive dairy-free cheese substitute needed – nor is any cooking involved.

    Don’t get fooled at how liquid the sauce might seem. Once you toss it with the cooked pasta, it starts to thicken into a perfect mac and cheese sauce!

    macaroni with pumpkin pasta sauce and panko sage topping

    Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese

    Traditionally, as the name already reveals, mac n cheese is made with macaroni. Regular macaroni or elbow macaroni!

    However, you can use any kind of short pasta to make this pumpkin pasta recipe.

    Especially recommended are:

    • Elbow macaroni
    • Pipe Rigate
    • Cellentani
    • Conchiglie Rigate (Shell Pasta – go for the smaller ones)
    • Penne
    • Rigatoni
    • Rotini

    Use gluten-free pasta (I love the ones from Barilla with corn and rice flour) to make a gluten-free pumpkin mac and cheese version, and skip the breadcrumbs. The pasta sauce is already gluten-free.

    How To Make Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

    This step-by-step guide will help you along the way – definitely recommended if you’re a cooking beginner! It’s even easier if you watch the recipe video!

    The exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

    Before you start: This recipe calls for pumpkin purée, which I highly recommend making from scratch following this homemade pumpkin puree recipe!

    • Cook the pasta in boiling salt water according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add sage and panko and toast until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
    panko sage recipe step 1
    • Meanwhile, add all ingredients for the pumpkin cheese sauce to a blender.
    recipe step 2
    • Blend until creamy.
    pumpkin mac & cheese recipe step 3
    • Add cooked macaroni and pumpkin cheese sauce back into the pot (in which you cooked the pasta) and stir to combine for one minute over medium heat. Season to taste with additional salt & black pepper. → The pumpkin sauce thickens quite a bit once hot! Feel free to add vegan cheese, yet it’s unnecessary as the sauce is already super creamy!
    recipe step 4
    • Sprinkle with the toasted panko breadcrumbs. Enjoy! 😉

    Recipe FAQ & Tips

    How long can I store leftovers? For up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Freeze the pumpkin cheese sauce for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. Thaw it in a pot, toss with cooked pasta, and you have a ready meal in a matter of minutes!

    How do I reheat leftovers? Either in the microwave or in a pot over medium heat. Add some water to liquify the sauce.

    Do I have to soak the cashew nuts? It’s not necessary to soak them if you have a high-speed blender. However, if you have a lower quality blender, soak them for 10 minutes in boiling water.

    Do you love Baked Mac & Cheese? Toss the cooked pasta with the pumpkin cheese sauce directly in a baking dish, sprinkle with the toasted panko, and bake it for 10 minutes in the preheated oven at 395°F (200°C). 

    More Vegan Recipes You’ll Love:

    • Best Vegan Pumpkin Recipes To Make This Fall
    • Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Butternut Squash Curry
    • Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

    Did You Try This Recipe?

    I would love it if you leave me a 5-star rating or comment. This way, I better get to know which recipes you like and can make more of them.

    Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more free recipes! I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community!

    vegan pumpkin mac and cheese

    Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

    Aline Cueni
    Perhaps the best vegan pumpkin Mac and Cheese you will ever eat! Macaroni tossed with a creamy vegan pumpkin cheese sauce and sprinkled with fragrant panko-sage breadcrumbs – plant-based comfort food at its highest level!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Vegan
    Servings 3
    Calories 559 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    Mac and Cheese

    • 10.5 oz (300 g) macaroni or short pasta of choice
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tsp sage fresh or dried
    • ¼ cup (20 g) panko breadcrumbs

    Pumpkin Cheese Sauce

    • 1 cup (240 g) pumpkin puree
    • ⅓ cup (50 g) cashew nuts
    • 1 ½ cup (360 ml) water
    • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ¼ tsp ground smoked paprika or regular paprika
    • ⅛ – ¼ tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder
    • a pinch ground nutmeg
    • a pinch ground cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta in boiling salt water according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add sage and panko and toast until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
    • Meanwhile, add all ingredients for the pumpkin cheese sauce to a blender and blend until creamy.
    • Add cooked macaroni and pumpkin cheese sauce back into the pot and toss to combine for one minute over medium heat. Season to taste with additional salt & black pepper. → The pumpkin sauce thickens quite a bit once hot! Feel free to add vegan cheese, yet it’s not necessary as the sauce is already super creamy!
    • Sprinkle with the toasted panko breadcrumbs. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Cashew Nuts: It’s not necessary to soak the cashew nuts if you have a high-speed blender. However, if you have a lower quality blender, soak them for about 10 minutes in boiling water.
    • Panko: I highly recommend using panko for this recipe. Those Japanese breadcrumbs are coarser and crispier than regular breadcrumbs. However, if you don’t have panko at hand, replace it with regular breadcrumbs.
    • Keeps fresh for 3 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pot over medium heat and add some water to liquify the sauce.
    • Freeze the pumpkin cheese sauce for up to 3 months.
    • Love baked macaroni and cheese? Toss cooked pasta with pumpkin cheese sauce and pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle with the toasted panko breadcrumbs and bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven (395°F/200°C).

    Recommended Products

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    Vitamix Blender

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 559 Calories from Fat 117
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 13g20%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Sodium 830mg36%
    Potassium 584mg17%
    Carbohydrates 92g31%
    Fiber 7g29%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 20g40%
    Vitamin A 12827IU257%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 64mg6%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel
    How To Make Pumpkin Puree – 2 Ways »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David Rosenberg says

      December 09, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      Great recipe. The only complaint to this great tasting dish is that a tsp. of salt is way too much. Probably a pinch is sufficient. Will definitely make it again, but with much less salt.

      Reply
      • Aline Cueni says

        December 10, 2021 at 10:55 am

        Hi David, thank you for your honest feedback. So glad you liked the recipe. 💕

        Reply
    2. Deanna says

      November 07, 2020 at 6:20 am

      Sooooo gooood!! I was looking up a pumpkin recipe because I had an open can in the fridge…this exceeded my expectations. I didn’t have sage so I used thyme for the breadcrumbs. My word the flavor…those toasted breadcrumbs really take this dish to the NEXT LEVEL! My husband says it is more of a “pumpkin pasta” than Mac & cheese but it is still absolutely delicious and ultimate comfort food! Will definitely be making again this fall.

      Reply
      • Aline Cueni says

        November 07, 2020 at 10:23 am

        I am so happy you and your husband like this pumpkin pasta recipe so much! Thank you for letting me know, Deanna! ❤️ Feel free to add some dairy-free cheese to the sauce, your husband might like it! 😉

        Reply

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