Hearty Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin, Chicken, and Chorizo

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 oz chorizo, sliced
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)

Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp tomato paste

Flavor Base:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta and Squash:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about PT8M (8 minutes).
- In the last PT5M (5 minutes) of pasta cooking, add the butternut squash cubes to the same pot.
- Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Chorizo:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add sliced chorizo and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about PT5M (5 minutes).
- Remove chorizo from the skillet and set aside.

3. Saute Onions and Garlic:
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about PT3M (3 minutes).
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional PT1M (1 minute).

4. Create the Sauce:
- Stir in tomato paste, pumpkin puree, and heavy cream.
- Add shredded cheese and milk, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, about PT5M (5 minutes).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Assemble the Dish:
- Add cooked pasta, butternut squash, shredded chicken, corn, and sautéed spinach to the sauce.
- Mix until everything is well combined and heated through, about PT5M (5 minutes).

6. Final Touches:
- Stir in the cooked chorizo and let it warm through the dish.

7. Serve:
- Serve hot, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Total Time

PT40M
40 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

mac and cheese, pumpkin pasta, chicken chorizo pasta, butternut squash recipe, cheesy pasta, dinner recipes, easy mac and cheese, stovetop pasta, comfort food, savory pumpkin dish

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

2200 calories (for the entire dish)

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