Caramelized Onions, Apples and Sage:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the onions and sage, and cook until the onions brown, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the apples when the onions are browned and sear briefly, allowing them to turn faintly golden. Remove from the heat and set aside in the pan.

Pasta:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil, with a pinch of salt.
2. Cook for exactly 5 minutes, until the pasta is al dente (slightly tough to the bite).
3. Drain the pasta and transfer it back to the pot.
4. Toss in the onions, apples and extra butter. Swirl until the butter melts to keep the pasta from sticking.
5. Cover with a lid and set aside.

Crispy Whole Wheat Topping:

1. Toss everything together in a bowl and set aside.

Cheesy Pumpkin Sauce:

1. Prepare a plate with a paper towel for draining the fried sage leaves.
2. In a small pot over medium heat, heat the milk, pumpkin puree, spices and syrup. Mix thoroughly until it becomes foamy and then remove from the heat and set aside.
3. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the sage. Fry the sage until the butter becomes golden and foamy – don’t let it brown. Remove the butter from the heat and scoop out the sage onto a paper towel with a slotted spoon.
4. Add the garlic as quickly as possible while the butter is still hot, stirring for one minute until it turns golden.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time, stirring consistently into a smooth paste.
6. Next add about half the milk mixture, and whisk until smooth. Add the remaining milk mixture and mix thoroughly.
7. Add the cheddar 1 cup at a time, and mix to incorporate with the sauce.
8. Add the salt and pepper and stir one last time.

Assembly:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Pour your pasta and fixin’s into a 9 x 13 baking dish (slightly smaller or bigger will do!). Try to layer the pasta at least 1 inch thick.
3. Pour the sauce over the pasta.
4. Layer the bread crumb topping generously on top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, until the bread crumbs become toasted brown.
6. Garnish with fried sage leaves!

Acorn Squash Bowls:

1. I must give due credit to my friend Jeff, who’s bright idea was the pumpkin bowls! Mini-pumpkins seemed to have disappeared in Halloween’s wake, but acorn squash still abounds (and is sweeter!).
2. Preheat the oven to 400.
3. Cut a lid in each acorn squash and scoop out the seeds. Save them for roasting.
4. With a brush or spoon, lather the inside of the squash and the underside of the lids with maple syrup.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the interior flesh is just tender.
6. Assemble the mac n’ jack in the bowls, as opposed to your baking dish, and bake for 20 minutes more. So cute!