logo

icon
  • Home
  • /   Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
img

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

This doesn’t taste like traditional mac and cheese, it’s creamy and with lots of sweet winter squash flavor. In this recipe, roasted butternut squash is tossed with pasta and a cheesy sauce. It’s all topped with breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection in the oven.

Ingredients :

  • 1 butternut squash 2 ½ cups, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or small shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 cup light cream or half and half
  • ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese or Havarti
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Topping
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon melted salted butter

Directions :

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Brush the squash with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking pan and roast 45 minutes or until tender.
  • While the squash is roasting, cook pasta al dente (firm) according to package directions. Drain well.
  • Once squash is done, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the squash and mash until smooth. Set aside.
  • Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook until tender.
  • Whisk in flour and let cook 2 minutes while stirring. Add milk a little bit at a time stirring until smooth after each addition.
  • Add cream, broth, mustard powder, & cayenne. Continue stirring until the sauce comes to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 2 minutes.
  • Remove the sauce from the stove and stir in cheeses until melted. Taste and generously season the sauce with salt & pepper.
  • Combine cheese sauce, mashed butternut squash and pasta. Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.
  • Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle overtop.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and the top is browned. Do not over cook. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Search Keyword

Top Category

img