Fall In Love With Mac & Cheese All Over Again: Autumn twists on a favorite comfort food

🍁 What Do Fall and Mac & Cheese Have in Common? Everything!

They’re both comforting, cozy, and absolutely irresistible. On a crisp autumn day, what’s more soothing than slipping into a soft sweater or sipping a warm mug of cider? How about a bowl of ooey-gooey mac & cheese – golden, melty, and full of fall flavor?

Mac & cheese might just be the ultimate comfort food. And this season, it’s getting a little makeover. I’ve whipped up a few autumn-inspired twists using ingredients that are abundant this time of year – think roasted squash, caramelized onions, crispy sage, and more.

You might raise an eyebrow at first. You might even say “eww” before you say “mmm.” But give these cozy combos a chance to win you over. You just may fall in love with mac &cheese all over again!

Sweet Potato Bacon Mac & Cheese

• Roast fresh or frozen sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Frozen does not have to be roasted as long. They are usually par-cooked.
• Cook bacon until crispy.
• Combine the sweet potato cubes and bacon with your favorite homemade or store-bought mac & cheese. Enjoy!

Bacon Apple Cranberry Mac & Cheese

• Sauté bacon until crispy.
• Add halved Brussels sprouts (frozen sprouts are great and so convenient) to the bacon fat and cook until tender.
• Add chopped apple and cook for a few more minutes.
• Combine the bacon, sprouts, and apple with your favorite homemade or store-bought mac and cheese. Enjoy!

• Sauté chopped apples in butter until just tender. Use a sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
• Crisp up bacon slices and crumble them once cooled.
• Stir in a handful of dried cranberries (or fresh if you want a tangy twist).
• Combine apples, bacon, and cranberries with your favorite homemade or store-bought mac & cheese.
• Top with crushed pecans or breadcrumbs and broil for a few minutes until golden. (optional) Enjoy!

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

• Roast cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings you like.
• Combine the squash with your favorite homemade or store-bought mac & cheese.
• Top with bread crumbs. Put under the broiler for a few minutes. (optional) Enjoy!

Sage Mushroom Mac & Cheese

• Sauté mushrooms in butter with minced sage.
•Combine mushrooms with your favorite homemade or store-bought mac & cheese.
• Top with a crispy panko and Parmesan cheese crust (optional)

More Mac & Cheese Add-Ins

• Add some chopped apple pie filling and some hot pepper for that sweet and spicy flare.
• Mix in crispy bacon and a little maple syrup for a sweet and salty combo.
• Fold in leftover pork, apples and onions for a Pennsylvania Dutch touch.
• Combine sautéed red, orange, and yellow peppers for a fall color explosion.
• Top with some Cider Doughnut Croutons for a sweet crunch.

These are just a few ways to turn a classic comfort food into a Fall favorite. Sweet, savory, and a little unexpected – just like the season itself. Let me know your favorite way to serve mac & cheese this time of year.

Have a comfort food filled day!

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