Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, a delightful twist on a classic comfort food. This dish features roasted butternut squash blended with three types of mouthwatering cheese—cheddar, smoked gouda, and parmesan. Its vibrant color and rich flavors make it an ideal choice for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. Perfect as a meatless main course or an inviting side dish, this recipe is easy to prepare and sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Packed with nutrients yet indulgent, it redefines what mac and cheese can be!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2/3 cup cooked, mashed butternut squash
- 1/2 pound mezzi rigatoni (or small pasta)
- 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup smoked gouda cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel, dice, and roast butternut squash until tender; mash until smooth.
- Cook mezzi rigatoni in boiling salted water until al dente; drain.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk while stirring until thickened; season with salt, nutmeg, ground pepper, and tabasco.
- Stir in all cheeses until melted.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta and mashed squash; pour in cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish; bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg