Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
Nutritional Info
- Servings Per Recipe: 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 375.1
- Total Fat: 9.8 g
- Cholesterol: 24.1 mg
- Sodium: 638.7 mg
- Total Carbs: 56.3 g
- Dietary Fiber: 5.0 g
- Protein: 18.3 g
View full nutritional breakdown of Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese calories by ingredient
Introduction
A healthful way to prepare traditional macaroni and cheese. Substitute half the cheese with pureed butternut squash; here, you can steam squash until tender or simmer squash in a simple mixture of garlic, milk, and broth. Combine squash with cheese and macaroni for a healthy take on an American favorite. I'll never make macaroni and cheese any other way!For more on this butternut squash macaroni and cheese, see here:
http://www.clearlydeliciousfo
odblog.com/2013/creamy-butternut-squas
h-macaroni-and-cheese/ A healthful way to prepare traditional macaroni and cheese. Substitute half the cheese with pureed butternut squash; here, you can steam squash until tender or simmer squash in a simple mixture of garlic, milk, and broth. Combine squash with cheese and macaroni for a healthy take on an American favorite. I'll never make macaroni and cheese any other way!
For more on this butternut squash macaroni and cheese, see here:
http://www.clearlydeliciousfo
odblog.com/2013/creamy-butternut-squas
h-macaroni-and-cheese/
Number of Servings: 8
Ingredients
-
*4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed into 1 to 1 1/2-inch cubes
*1 1/2 cups milk (I used skim)
*1 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (use vegetable for vegetarian-friendly recipe)
*3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
*1 teaspoon coarse salt
*1 teaspoon pepper
*1 (16-ounce) box elbow macaroni
*1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
*1 cup Bleu cheese*
*Panko bread crumbs, for garnishing
Tips
This is one of the few recipes I've made where I don't feel the need to write, "salt and pepper, to taste." Just a little bit of salt and pepper when cooking the squash is really all you need.
Directions
1.) Peel and cube butternut squash and set aside. In a non-stick, medium-sized saucepan, bring the milk, broth, and garlic to a simmer. Add squash and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and simmer until squash is tender (about 20 to 25 minutes).
2.) Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F and prepare elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Remember to keep the two rules of pasta in mind: 1.) the water should taste like "sea water" (so the pasta has flavor) and 2.) the pasta should be cooked al dente (firm, but still tender). Strain and reserve for cheese sauce (do not rinse in cold water).
3.) When squash is tender, remove from heat and transfer to a food processor (or blender). Pulse until pureed (about 30 seconds, or until mixture is smooth and well-blended—be careful! Your mixture will be hot!), and pour puree into a bowl. Mix in Parmesan and Bleu cheese and fold in macaroni. Pour macaroni and cheese into a greased baking dish (about 9 x 13 inches will do), garnish with Panko bread crumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly on top (about 20 minutes). Remove from oven and rest for several minutes before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
Serving Size: 8 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each)
2.) Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F and prepare elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Remember to keep the two rules of pasta in mind: 1.) the water should taste like "sea water" (so the pasta has flavor) and 2.) the pasta should be cooked al dente (firm, but still tender). Strain and reserve for cheese sauce (do not rinse in cold water).
3.) When squash is tender, remove from heat and transfer to a food processor (or blender). Pulse until pureed (about 30 seconds, or until mixture is smooth and well-blended—be careful! Your mixture will be hot!), and pour puree into a bowl. Mix in Parmesan and Bleu cheese and fold in macaroni. Pour macaroni and cheese into a greased baking dish (about 9 x 13 inches will do), garnish with Panko bread crumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly on top (about 20 minutes). Remove from oven and rest for several minutes before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
Serving Size: 8 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each)