Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese


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Butternut squash macaroni and cheese works a little bit further one thing particular into everybody’s favourite consolation meals! Roasted squash provides a contact of sweetness and notes of caramelization to this straightforward one-pot pasta recipe.

a pot with butternut squash macaroni and cheese, a gold spoon, and black pepper.Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

When you attain maturity, the attract of primary macaroni and cheese begins dropping its grip on you. This butternut squash macaroni and cheese is a elaborate mac that may please everybody in the home – youngsters and adults alike.

However this isn’t only a win-win dinner. It’s a win-win-win dinner as a result of it’s additionally a one-pot pasta recipe. Meaning you don’t must prepare dinner the pasta individually—the sauce and pasta prepare dinner collectively in the identical pan. Three cheers for one much less pot to scrub!

Ingredient Notes

ingredients in bowls on a marbled board.ingredients in bowls on a marbled board.
  • Butternut squash cubes – You possibly can reduce your individual squash or take a shortcut and purchase pre-cut squash from the produce or freezer part. 
  • Pasta – Shell or elbow noodles are implausible for holding onto the tacky sauce, however you’ll be able to actually use any pasta you want or have available. (Okay, possibly not spaghetti.)
  • Evaporated milk – Not condensed milk! Evaporated milk is unsweetened. Condensed milk is especially used for desserts.
  • Cheese – I like to make use of a mix of extra-sharp cheddar and mozzarella. I’ve discovered it really works effectively to make use of a mix of cheeses—one which brings the flavour and one which’s a superb melter. (Monterey Jack is one other that melts fabulously.)
  • Parmesan – Freshly grated melts into the sauce higher than the bottles of grated Parm from the pasta aisle.

a word from sarah

meal prep Tip

You possibly can meal prep the butternut squash by roasting and mashing it as much as two days forward of time. Hold it in an hermetic container within the fridge and add it on to the pot when cooking.

Learn how to Make Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

*I’ll stroll you thru it right here with some images and suggestions, and also you’ll additionally discover a printable recipe card on the backside of the submit with actual measurements, and many others. You may also click on “soar to recipe” to skip down.

Toss the butternut squash with the olive oil on a sheet pan. Roast within the oven or an air fryer till the squash is tender and starting to caramelize. 

Place the squash in a mixing bowl and mash it with a potato masher or pastry cutter. 

Carry the water to a boil in a big saucepan. Stir within the pasta, salt, and butter.

Scale back the warmth to medium-high. Prepare dinner, stirring often, till nearly all the liquid is absorbed.

Stir within the evaporated milk, dry mustard, nutmeg, cheeses, and butternut squash puree, then serve. Yup, that’s it. You’re welcome!

Professional Suggestions/Recipe Notes

  • Lower the butternut squash into evenly-sized items. This ensures that all of them end roasting on the similar time. If the squash isn’t tender, it gained’t mash effectively. 
  • Don’t overcook the squash. Usually, I really like when roasted butternut squash has a pleasant layer of browning on the underside, however while you mash the squash, the browned bottoms gained’t break aside and incorporate with the remainder of the mashed squash, so that they’ll go away you with a lumpy sauce.
  • For a smoother butternut squash puree, mix the roasted squash with a little bit of water utilizing an immersion blender or a meals processor. (That is additionally a superb resolution in the event you do overcook the squash.)
  • To jazz up this recipe, you’ll be able to fold in finely minced sage leaves simply earlier than serving. Or, fry entire sage leaves in butter to make them crispy!
  • Use any leftovers to make mac and cheese egg rolls.
a black bowl full of macaroni and cheese with a gold spoon and black pepper.a black bowl full of macaroni and cheese with a gold spoon and black pepper.

Stop your display screen from going darkish

  • Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil.

    16 oz butternut squash cubes, 1 tsp olive oil

  • Roast in an oven at 435˚F for 23-28 minutes, stirring midway, or in an air fryer at 380˚F for 18-21 minutes, shaking midway by means of.

  • Switch roasted squash to a mixing bowl and mash utilizing a potato masher or pastry cutter. For those who desire it to be completely clean, you’ll be able to mix with a couple of splashes of water and an immersion blender, or in a meals processor.

  • In a big saucepan, carry 4 1/4 cups of water to a boil.

    4 1/4 cups water

  • Add pasta, salt, and butter to the saucepan. Stir to mix.

    1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 lb shell or elbow noodles

  • Scale back the range temp to medium-high, and infrequently stir the combination, till nearly all the water has been absorbed by the pasta (~8 minutes).

  • Add the evaporated milk, (non-compulsory) dry mustard, (non-compulsory) nutmeg, cheese, and butternut squash puree, and stir gently till all of the cheese has melted.

    12 oz evaporated milk, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, 3 cups cheese, shredded, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, 1/2 tsp dry mustard

 

  1. Evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are NOT the identical factor. Solely evaporated milk will work on this recipe.

Serving: 1cupEnergy: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 16gFats: 21gSaturated Fats: 12gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 60mgSodium: 359mgPotassium: 295mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 809IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 350mgIron: 1mg

Diet data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

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