Cheesy Macaroni Pumpkins

Here's an idea that is perfect for Halloween or as a side for Thanksgiving. 

These would also be perfect for an every day dinner as they are absolutely scrumptious. 

Sue has said this is going to be her new macaroni recipe from now on. 

We took a recipe we found in Woman's World Magazine (October 27, 2014), made a few little changes, and came up with these cheesy macaroni pumpkins. 

If you were going to make this for every day then you wouldn't have to worry about shaping them into balls, you could just use a muffin tray instead.

Cheesy Macaroni Pumpkins

(Adapted from Woman's World Magazine (October 27, 2014)

Ingredients

2 cups dry macaroni

1 container MacLaren's Imperial Sharp Cold Packed Cheddar Cheese 

1/2 cup half and half cream

3 Tbsp ketchup

3/4 cup shredded jalapeno cheddar cheese

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup onion, finely diced

green onion, chopped (for stems)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly spray a cake ball pan with cooking spray, set aside.

Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain, set aside.

In a large saucepan, stir and together the MacLaren's Imperial cheese, half and half cream, and ketchup. Keep stirring until melted and smooth - about 5 or so minutes.

Add in the shredded jalapeno cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.

Remove from heat.

Stir in the cooked macaroni, egg, and onion.

Divide the mixture evenly among the cake ball pan cups - squish to compact the macaroni. Bake at 375 for approx 15 minutes - until cooked through and edges are golden.

Remove from oven and gently remove from the cake ball pan. 

Make a small slit on top of a macaroni ball with a sharp knife, gently squish in a piece of the green onion for a "pumpkin stem". 

Serve hot.

If you are wondering what that black goo is in the photo - it's ketchup with black food coloring to make it spookier.

FYI - you can place some of that black ketchup in a piping bag and pipe Jack O' Lantern faces on each ball if you want to make these even more Halloween-y.

As mentioned above, these can also be made in muffin pans if you don't have a cake ball pan. 

If you can't find the MacLaren's Imperial cheddar then you can use another aged cheddar cheese spread. (Something similar to Velveeta)

 

Be sure to visit these fun sites for tons of great links - The Chicken Chick, Joy Love Food, Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons