top of page

Day 3: Lunch: Cheesy Pumpkin Macaroni


Ingredients

  • Whole-grain pasta, cooked, 8 oz.

  • Butter 1 tbsp

  • Garlic 1 clove

  • Shallot, finely minced, 1

  • Spinach, 3 cups

  • Nutmeg, 1/2 tsp

  • Sage, fresh and chopped, 1 tbsp

  • Thyme, fresh and chopped, 1 tbsp

  • Rosemary, fresh and chopped, 1 tbsp

  • Chicken broth, 1 cup

  • Low-fat milk, 1/2 cup

  • Pumpkin, 15-oz. can

  • All-purpose flour, 2 tbsp

  • Pecorino Romano cheese 4 oz.

  • Chicken breast, 3 oz.

  • Whole-grain bread crumbs 1/2 cup

  • Parmesan cheese, grated, 1/4 cup

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the pasta in a large pot following package directions to obtain "al dente" doneness.

  2. Cook the butter, garlic, and shallots over medium heat until the shallots are translucent, about 2 minutes.

  3. Stir in the nutmeg, sage, thyme, rosemary blend, and spinach, and cook until the spinach wilts.

  4. Stir in the chicken broth, milk, pumpkin puree, flour, and pecorino Romano cheese to the skillet. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.

  5. Transfer all of your ingredients into a large baking dish, and combine them thoroughly. If using lean protein, add it at this stage. Top the mixture with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.

  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving size: 1 cup

  • Recipe yields: 8 servings

  • Calories: 316

  • Fat: 8 g

  • Carbs: 33 g

  • Protein: 28 g

bottom of page