Description
This Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese blends rich flavors of butternut squash, sharp cheddar, and Gruyere cheese into a comforting dish that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large butternut squash
- 2 shallots, roughly chopped (⅔ cup)
- 1 pound shell pasta, or pipe rigate or elbows
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
- 6 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese, about 2½ cups
- 6 ounces grated gruyere cheese, about 2½ cups
- 1½ ounces finely grated pecorino cheese, ½ cup
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1½ teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on the baking sheet. Wrap the shallots in foil with olive oil and salt, and place on the baking sheet. Roast for 30 to 45 minutes until the squash is soft.
- Combine panko and olive oil in a small bowl for the topping.
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1½ cups of pasta water before draining.
- Blend 2 cups of the cooked squash flesh with the reserved pasta water, shallots, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, nutmeg, and pepper until creamy.
- Heat almond milk in the pasta pot over medium heat. Stir in the squash sauce and cook for 3 minutes. Gradually add cheddar, Gruyere, and pecorino cheeses, ensuring each addition is melted before adding the next. Stir in the pasta until well coated.
- Preheat the oven broiler and transfer pasta to the baking dish. Top with panko and broil for 5 to 10 minutes until crispy and browned.
- Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a smoky flavor, consider adding some cooked bacon or smoked cheese.
Feel free to substitute any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg