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butternut squash mac and cheese - featured image

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: Easy 4-Ingredient Comfort Food

  • Author: SALY
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A creamy, comforting weeknight dinner featuring silky butternut squash blended into a rich cheddar cheese sauce with elbow macaroni. This recipe is simple, fast, and packed with autumn flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Optional toppings: bacon bits, roasted pecans, fried sage leaves

Instructions

  1. Peel and cube the butternut squash. Mince the garlic and grate the cheese.
  2. Place cubed squash in a medium saucepan, cover with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain completely.
  3. Add the softened squash, butter, garlic, and heavy cream to the saucepan. Blend with an immersion blender (or regular blender in batches) until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using.
  4. While squash cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  5. Return the cheese sauce to a large skillet over low heat. Gradually stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
  7. Serve immediately topped with extra cheddar, black pepper, and optional toppings.

Notes

Grate your own cheese to prevent a grainy sauce. Use starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Keep heat low when melting cheese to avoid separation. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce cheese amount. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 400
  • Fat: 20
  • Saturated Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 50
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 18

Keywords: butternut squash, mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, vegetarian, autumn recipes, creamy pasta, healthy comfort food

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Find it online: https://cookiqa.com/butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese-easy-4-ingredient-comfort-food/