Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Description
The preparation begins by sautéing diced butternut squash, finely diced onion, and minced garlic in butter until tender and lightly browned. Chicken stock is added and reduced by half to concentrate flavor and help soften the squash further. At this stage, mashing the mixture helps create a smoother sauce base. Cooked pasta is combined with the mixture, then grated cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses are incorporated in stages, stirring continuously to melt them fully. Milk is added gradually as needed to thin the sauce and create a cohesive, creamy texture.
Seasonings include salt, black pepper, and nutmeg, which add warmth and enhance the dish’s depth. The final result is creamy mac and cheese with a mild butternut squash flavor behind the rich cheese. This recipe suits those wanting a vegetable-enriched version of a classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound pasta such as macaroni or rotini, cooked
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 large onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups butternut squash diced into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1/2 pound cheddar cheese grated
- 1/4 pound mozzarella cheese grated
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 pinches nutmeg
- 1-1 1/2 cups milk
Instructions
- Saute onions, garlic and squash in butter over medium heat. Cook until tender and lightly browned, stirring as you go, about 6 minutes.
- Pour in chicken stock and reduce liquid by half. If desired, mash the squash and onions together using a potato masher to help dissolve into the sauce.
- Pour in cooked pasta and the cheeses little by little, stirring as you go. Pour in splashes of milk if needed to thin out melted cheese to create sauce. After all the cheese is melted into the pot, continue stirring and adding in milk. At first there may seem like a big wad of cheese melted in the middle, but as you keep stirring and adding in the milk bit by bit, it should come together to form a very cheesy sauce.
- Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 635 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 635kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Cholesterol | 121mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 877mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 591mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 8660IU | 173% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 779mg | 78% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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