Calling all macaroni and cheese lovers! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that combines the comforting classic with the rich, nutty flavor of butternut squash. Our article presents a diverse collection of macaroni and cheese recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dish. From the classic baked macaroni and cheese with butternut squash to the innovative air fryer version and even a vegan alternative, we have something for every palate and dietary preference. Whether you're a fan of creamy, gooey cheese or prefer a lighter, healthier take on the dish, our recipes will surely satisfy your cravings. So, prepare your taste buds for a delightful symphony of flavors as we delve into the world of macaroni and cheese with butternut squash.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9" x 11" glass baking dish with oil and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add squash and boil until tender, 5-6 minutes.
- When fork tender, transfer squash with a slotted spoon to a blender.
- Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions. When cooked, drain and put back into the pot.
- Meanwhile, add ½ cup vegetable broth, onion powder, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to the blender with the squash. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the shallots and cook another minute.
- Add the remaining 1 cup broth and milk and whisk to combine. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 5 minutes, whisking frequently.
- Remove pot from heat and whisk in cheese, pureed squash, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Add sauce to noodles, gently mix to combine, then transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture and bake 25 minutes. Switch oven to high broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crumbs are starting to brown.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 275 kcal, Protein 13 g, Carbohydrate 43 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Fat 7 g, Sugar 5 g, Cholesterol 21 mg, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 462 mg
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE
I received this recipe from a dear friend. This is a quick, great way to incorporate a fall vegetable into a comfort-food favorite. Sweet, creamy, and delicious.
Provided by bwayfreak3
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place butternut squash, cut-side down, on a baking sheet.
- Roast squash in the preheated oven until soft, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove squash flesh from skin and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk flour and mustard into melted butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk milk into flour mixture until the mixture has the texture of heavy cream, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir butternut squash, white Cheddar cheese, and Cheddar cheese into milk mixture until cheese is melted. Stir rotini into cheese mixture. Pour cheese mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with bread crumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs are golden, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 414.3 calories, Carbohydrate 51.9 g, Cholesterol 45.7 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 307.2 mg, Sugar 6 g
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE
I know it sounds odd, but my girl LOVED butternut squash! This dog might even go for it before a steak, especially if there were also pasta and cheese involved in the deal!
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 5 servings (Boo counted for 2)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta. Salt the water then add the pasta and cook to al dente or, with a bite to it.
- While pasta cooks, heat a medium heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When the butter melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into the pot with a hand held grater or Microplane. Cook the grated onion in butter and oil 1 to 2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1 to 2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and smooth. Stir in cream or half-and-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in a figure 8 motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings.
- Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce. Serve alongside chicken sammies and top with thyme leaves picked from remaining sprigs (Boo would also have a little extra sprinkle of that cheese, please!)
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE
I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. -Megan Schwartz, New York, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Place squash in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook, covered, 8-10 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, place yogurt, milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a blender. Drain squash and transfer to blender; cover and process until pureed. Return mixture to saucepan; heat through. Stir in cheeses until melted., Drain pasta; add to squash mixture. Toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs., Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 750mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 12g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SAGE MACARONI CHEESE
There's little more comforting than a homemade macaroni cheese. This version includes 1 of your 5-a-day, as well as a hint of sage.
Provided by Good Food team
Time 2h5m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss two-thirds of the butternut squash with the olive oil and seasoning, and roast for 20 mins until nearly tender (it will finish cooking later). Chop the remaining squash coarsely, put in a heatproof bowl with 100ml water and cover with cling film. Microwave on High for 8-10 mins until tender. Drain and mash.
- Fry the onion in a knob of butter until softened but not browned, about 5 mins. Stir in the chopped sage and cook for 1 min more, then add the remaining butter to melt. Stir in the flour and mustard powder, and cook for 1 min until it forms a paste. Gradually whisk in splashes of milk (you can add in bigger additions as you go) until you have a smooth sauce. Bubble, stirring constantly, for 3-5 mins until thickened. Take off the heat and whisk in the mashed squash, 200g of the cheddar and half the Parmesan. Season to taste.
- Cook the macaroni following pack instructions. Drain well, then stir into the sauce with the roasted squash. Tip into a baking dish and scatter with the remaining cheese and sage leaves. Can be made up to a day ahead at this point - cool and keep in the fridge. If freezing, don't add the whole sage leaves.
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 again. Splash the sage leaves with oil and bake for 40 mins until bubbling and golden on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 560 calories, Fat 27 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 55 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 1.1 milligram of sodium
BUTTERNUT MAC-N-CHEESE
When Kim Quay needed a name for her catering and prepared food business, in Morrisville, Pa., her mother suggested Comfort Food. Ms. Quay, whose menu is based on whatever foods the local farmers happen to be providing, thought the name was apt. She likes to take traditional foods and recreate them based on the season and the produce that is available. Adding pureed butternut squash to this dish cuts the cheese in half but adds more flavor. Ms. Quay said it's one of her most popular fall dishes. "We sell so much of that, and you don't have to feel as bad eating it,'' she said. "You might not want to eat it every single day, but you're still lowering the guilt factor.''
Provided by Tara Parker-Pope
Categories sauces and gravies, side dish
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Roast the butternut squash. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place in roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Place in oven and cook until soft all the way through, about 1 hour. Set aside until cool. When cooled, remove skin and place in food processor. Purée until smooth.
- Make cheese sauce. Melt butter in saucepan. Add flour. Stir to make a roux and cook 3 minutes, stirring the entire time. Add 3 cups milk and stir until thickened. Add the rest of the milk and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- To assemble the dish: Place cooked elbow macaroni in bowl. Pour half of the cheese sauce over and add puréed, roasted butternut squash. Fold together. If it seems too dry, add the rest of the cheese sauce. Place in an ovenproof dish and heat for 15 minutes at 325 degrees.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 517, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 58 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 768 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 1 gram
BUTTERNUT MACARONI CHEESE
This comforting and creamy family pasta bake is given a makeover by adding roasted squash
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash with the olive oil and some seasoning, and roast on a baking sheet for 15-20 mins until tender. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni following pack instructions, then drain.
- Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour and mustard powder to make a paste. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer to thicken to a smooth sauce, stirring constantly.
- Take the sauce off the heat and mash in a third of the squash with the cheddar and half the Parmesan. Season, then stir in the drained macaroni with the remaining squash. Tip into an ovenproof dish, scatter with the remaining Parmesan and bake for 15 mins until golden and bubbling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 828 calories, Fat 38 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 94 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 19 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, Sodium 1.49 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- For a creamy macaroni and cheese, use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese.
- If you don't have butternut squash on hand, you can substitute sweet potatoes or carrots.
- To make the dish vegetarian, omit the bacon. You can also add other vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach.
- To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free macaroni noodles.
- If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the macaroni and cheese before baking.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese with butternut squash is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it cheesy, creamy, crunchy, or vegetarian, this recipe has something for everyone. So next time you're looking for a warm and satisfying meal, give this macaroni and cheese with butternut squash a try. You won't be disappointed!
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