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butternut squash mac and cheese

A creamy, comforting dish of baked butternut squash mixed with cheesy pasta, perfect for fall dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound cubed butternut squash
  • 10 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta
  • 1.5 cups low sodium vegetable broth divided
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 medium shallot (minced)
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 0.5 cup shredded gruyere cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9" x 11" baking dish with oil and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add squash and cook until tender, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a blender.
  3. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  4. In the blender with the squash, add 1/2 cup vegetable broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then blend until smooth.
  5. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  6. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced shallots and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
  7. Gradually whisk in remaining 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and whisk in cheeses, then stir in pureed squash mixture.
  9. Mix pasta into sauce. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture on top.
  10. Bake for 25 minutes, then broil 2-3 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden.

Notes

An all-time favorite for cozy fall dinners — creamy, cheesy, and packed with nutritious butternut squash.