Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

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Rated 4 stars out of 5
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  • Read 80 Reviews
Total Time:
20 min
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Yield:
5 servings (Boo counted for 2)
Level:
Easy
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I know it sounds odd, but my girl LOVED butternut squash! This dog might even go for it before a steak, especially if there were also pasta and cheese involved in the deal!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound macaroni with lines, such as tubatini or mini penne rigate
  • Salt
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 (10 ounce) box frozen cooked butter nut squash, defrosted
  • 1 cup cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) sharp Cheddar, grated
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a couple of handfuls
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, eyeball it
  • Black pepper

Directions

Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta. Salt the water then add the pasta and cook to al dente or, with a bite to it.

While pasta cooks, heat a medium heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When the butter melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into the pot with a hand held grater or Microplane. Cook the grated onion in butter and oil 1 to 2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1 to 2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and smooth. Stir in cream or half-and-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in a figure 8 motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings.

Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce. Serve alongside chicken sammies and top with thyme leaves picked from remaining sprigs (Boo would also have a little extra sprinkle of that cheese, please!)

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 80 reviews

  • on April 25, 2013

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    I was hoping for great taste with this one because I love butternut squash. I found it to be very bland - we had to add quite a bit of seasoning to the final dish. Also, 2 cups of cheese does not give enough cheesy flavor to one pound of pasta.

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  • on April 14, 2013

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    I wanted to be more impressed than I was. I had to add cornstarch to thicken the sauce and I pit in an extra 1/2 cup of squash. Its average and interesting

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  • on February 22, 2013

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    Delicious! I used squash I steam-baked myself, then mashed into the recipe. My husband was surprised how yummy it was!! Totally worth making again :

    people found this review Helpful.
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