Go Back
–+ servings
butternut squash mac and cheese

Butternut Squash Creamy Mac n' Cheese

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
This Butternut Squash Mac n' Cheese has a secret ingredient! Hint: it isn't Butternut Squash!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Pasta Pot
  • Skillet
  • 9 x 11 Casserole Dish
  • cheese grater

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs elbow macaroni or other short pasta i.e. penne, rigatoni
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup riced cauliflower
  • 5 fl. oz milk 1 can
  • 15 oz butternut squash puree 1 can
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese, grated and divided some for sauce and some for melting over top casserole
  • 8 oz gruyere cheese, grated and divided some for sauce and some for melting over top casserole
  • 1 tbsp panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp fresh cracked pepper
  • ½ tsp mustard powder

Instructions
 

Cook The Pasta

  • Cook your macaroni according to pasta box instruction until al dente.
  • Drain and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables:

  • In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the riced cauliflower. Cook another 5 min, stirring occasionally.

Make The Sauce

  • Add the butternut squash puree and milk. Heat through, about 2 min. Remove from stove and turn off the heat. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.

Combine ingredients

  • Pour the blended mixture back into the saucepan. Incorporate 6 oz cheddar cheese and 1 oz gryere cheese. Add fresh cracked pepper to taste. Mix until cheese is melted.
    Note: The stove is off during this step, the cheese will melt from the heat of the puree.
  • Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to combine, ansuring all the pasta is well coated with sauce.
  • Pour the pasta mixture to a 9 x11 casserole pan.

Make Topping

  • Make the topping, 2oz cheddar cheese, 1 oz greyure, and panko bread crumbs.
  • Sprinkle with the panko/cheese topping overtop the macaroni and cheese mixture.

Bake and Serve

  • Bake at 350 uncovered for 30 minutes until heated through and the topping is browned and bubbly.
  • Once removed from the ove,. let the macaroni and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Keyword pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!