Categories: Macaroni and Cheese, Main Dish, Pumpkin, Rachael Ray, Side Dish

Ingredients

• 1 pound whole wheat or whole grain short-cut pasta, such as rigatoni or penne
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 slightly rounded tablespoons flour
• 1 cup amber beer or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 2 cups whole milk
• A couple of pinches of ground cloves or 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• About 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 can unsweetened pumpkin puree (14 ounces) or 2 cups pureed fresh roasted pumpkin or butternut squash
• 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese, divided
• Sweet paprika, for sprinkling
• Chopped parsley or chives, for garnish

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt it and cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and reserve.

2. Pre-heat the broiler.

3. Melt the butter in a medium size saucepot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, cook for 1 minute, then raise the heat a bit and add the beer or chicken stock. Reduce until almost evaporated, then whisk in the honey or syrup and milk. Season with cloves or allspice, mustard, cayenne, a little freshly grated nutmeg and some salt and pepper. Thicken to coat a spoon, a couple of minutes, then taste to adjust the seasonings.

4. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, then stir in about 2 cups grated cheese with a wooden spoon until melted. Combine the pasta with the sauce and arrange in a casserole or individual ramekins. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and a light dusting of paprika. Broil to brown and bubble. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.

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