By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 2, 2026
Serves 1
228 cal · 7 min
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese for One
Recipe GLPR063226e8d81cd3
A creamy single-serving pasta dish with roasted pumpkin purée, cheddar soup, and a hint of tangy mustard. The pumpkin adds natural sweetness and creaminess while keeping the dish light. Perfect as a quick side or light meal.
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Ingredients
3/4 cup cooked pasta (elbow, shells, or any small shape)
1 1/2 tablespoons cheddar cheese soup (canned)
1/8 cup pumpkin purée
1 1/2 tablespoons 1% milk
1 tablespoon low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon deli mustard
Directions
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before preparing the dish.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the canned cheddar cheese soup, pumpkin purée, milk, and deli mustard. Stir until well blended.
Microwave the mixture uncovered for 45 to 60 seconds, stirring halfway through if possible. Remove and stir vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta to the pumpkin cream sauce and fold gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta mixture.
Microwave for an additional 30 to 45 seconds until the cheese is fully melted. Stir once more and serve immediately.
Comments
The seven-minute claim assumes you're boiling pasta in advance; realistically add 10 minutes for pasta water to boil and noodles to cook, bringing actual time to 17 minutes. Ingredient costs are rock-bottom—canned pumpkin, condensed soup, and pantry staples run under $2 total—and everything lives at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, or ALDI with zero special trips. This suits a solo dinner or quick lunch perfectly, though the soft texture and creamy, mild-sweet flavor don't hold texture on reheating. The mustard and pumpkin work as a surprising fall twist on a classic comfort dish that takes real planning out of the equation.
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