Butternut Mac and Cheese
Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese is a sneaky, yet delicious way of adding more vegetables to your diet. It's decadent, creamy, and packed with flavor!
Servings: 12
Calories: 577kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb butternut squash, cubed
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 1/4 tablespoons paprika
- 1 1/4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- garlic clove
- 2 lb cavatappi pasta
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1.5 cups shredded gruyere cheese
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons chives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning over the butternut squash and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is easy to poke with a fork. Add the butternut squash to a food processor with 1 clove of garlic and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as you go.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tbsp of salt. Add the cavatappi and cook until just al dente. Set aside.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tbsps of butter and 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat. Add the panko and stir to combine. Arrange the panko in an even layer in the skillet and let it toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a plate or small bowl and set aside.
- Using the same pan you used for the toasted panko, melt 6 tbsps of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and milk, stirring until it begins to thicken. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Mix in the squash puree, stirring until fully combined. Gradually add both cheeses, stirring well to combine until cheese is completely melted.
- Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Mix in half the panko and sprinkle the rest on top with fresh chopped chives.
Video
Notes
- Add more milk if you need to thin out the cream sauce.
- If you don't have chives, you can also garnish with fresh parsley, oregano or crispy sage leaves.
Nutrition
Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 291mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5271IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 2mg
