Fall

Butternut Squash Mac 'n Cheese

by:
September 27, 2010
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

I love mac 'n cheese, but I was in a weird space where I had outgrown the boxed stuff and hadn't quite found an oven recipe I liked. I figured there must be a way to incorporate an easy boil-and-mix technique with fewer chemicals than the prepackaged mac 'n cheese, so I fooled around with butternut squash and different cheeses until I discovered that one combination led to a very similar taste, smell and texture. Butternut squash is great for fall, and this refrigerates and packs very nicely as a lunch. —krannysue

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 0.5 pounds small pasta, such as gemelli or cavatappi
  • 0.75 pounds butternut squash, cubed
  • 6 ounces goat cheese (chevre)
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper
  • thyme
  • salt
Directions
  1. Boil the squash for 10-15 minutes in water seasoned well with salt, red pepper flakes and thyme (dried or fresh).
  2. Remove the squash when it comes apart easily with the back of a spoon, saving the water. Place the cooked squash in a food processor with both cheeses.
  3. Examine the remaining water and add enough to cook your half-pound of pasta. Season accordingly with salt and add pasta to boiling water.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, puree the squash and cheeses, seasoning to taste.
  5. When the pasta is not quite al dente (as it will continue cooking with the cheese sauce), drain and return to the pot.
  6. Add the cheese sauce and stir.
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4 Reviews

Tortoise
Tortoise October 26, 2022
A healthy and tasty Mac and cheese. Thank you again
 
krannysue
krannysue September 28, 2010
I hear that whole wheat pasta has improved tremendously in quality in the past five years, but I haven't bothered trying it. I usually stick with my good old De Cecco gemelli. This mac 'n cheese is my way of getting in my vegetables, so trust me when I say it's absolutely delicious!
 
luvcookbooks
luvcookbooks September 28, 2010
going to try despite severe reservations about overly nutritious appearing mac n cheese
what brand of whole wheat pasta doesn't taste like saw dust?
 
JoanG
JoanG September 27, 2010
This sounds easy and delicious. I am going to try it with my favorite whole wheat pasta.