Campfire Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

It’s October. That means two things: outdoor camping adventures to watch the leaves turn and everything pumpkin-flavored! So what better way to warm you up around a campfire after a long day in the mountains than this Campfire Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese?

Fall is the best time for camping! The weather’s cool and you can enjoy all of your favorite fall foods. You also get to see the beautiful changing colors on the trees, which makes it a great season for pictures.

In the PNW and Rocky Moutain West, camping in October and November can mean a roll of the dice with the weather so be prepared to pack your gear accordingly, including a warm sleeping bag. On the plus side, however, autumn camping means fewer bugs – yay! – and fewer crowds than in summer.

Favorite Fall Camping Spots

1. Tumalo State Park // Near Sisters, OR // This park has several tent site and even some pet-friendly yurts. It is a great spot to visiti the bright fall colors near Sisters and the Central Cascades.
   
2. Madison Campground // Yellowstone National Park // Fall comes alive in one of my favorite National Parks. The wildlife is active as the Grizzlies get ready for hiberation and the male elk abandon their Tinder and Bumble profiles to challnge each other during “the rut.”
   
3. Camp Richardson // South Lake Tahoe, CA // Along with the gorgeous fall leaves and the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe, this spot also have an epic Oktoberfest event.

Pumpkin is a seasonal food that is best eaten at the end of fall and the beginning of winter. It is high in fiber and has many health benefits. This Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese is a great source of vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy eyes and skin. It also contains natural antioxidants that can help to reduce risks for cancer. That said between the carbs, cream, and cheese it is a completely indulgent meal.

Though this dish can be cooked using any heat source, I enjoy cooking this dish over a campfire. The smoke from the fire amplifies the smokiness of the gouda cheese.

In the Backcountry Method for Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

While the instructions below outline how to make this dish on a campfire, this recipe is appropriate for a late-season backcountry trip and can be fully cooked on a backcountry stove.

1. Before leaving for camp, prep the bacon topping and sauce per the instructions below.
2. Pack bacon topping in air tight container.
3. Cool sauce and freeze in plastic freezer bag.
4. At camp, cook noodles and drain.
5. Reheat sauce.
6. Stir in noodles.
7. Top with bacon topping.
8. Enjoy!

Love pumpkin but looking for a sweet dish vs. a savory one? Check out my recipe for Pumpkin Doughnuts with Black Sesame Glaze.

4.80 from 5 votes

Campfire Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 5 slices bacon chopped
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs toasted
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• olive oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 oz cheddar cheese shredded
• 3 oz smoked gouda cheese shredded
• salt

Instructions

At home…

• Heat saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon, stirring so the bacon does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook until the bacon starts to foam. Drain fat and let cool.
• Place bacon in a food processor and pulse until bacon becomes a coarse crumble. Combine with chili powder and panko bread crumbs and store for use at camp.
• Cook noodles according to the directions on the box. Toss with a splash of olive oil. Store for use at camp.

At camp…

• Mix together cream, milk, and pumpkin.
• Heat butter in Dutch Oven until bubbly. Slowly add flour, whisking continuously. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the milk-pumpkin mixture and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Add mustard.
• Stirring constantly, slowly start to add in cheese. Add more cheese after the first bit melts. When all the cheese is fully combined, add noodles and fully coat with sauce. Top with the bacon-panko mixture. Place lid on Dutch Oven and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Notes

Want to spice this up? Top with a little hot sauce or even a pickled jalapeno relish! 

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Backcountry, Camp Stove, Campfire

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @bewildeats on Instagram and hashtag it #bewildeats.