Macaroni and 4 Cheeses

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Total: 43 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Cook: 23 min
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Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash

2 cups 1 percent lowfat milk

4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)

2 ounces Monterrey jack cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon powdered mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until it is defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.
  4. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Betty

I wanted to like this since Mac n' Cheese is wonderful and I like butternut squash.  Followed the recipe exactly as written, including the cayenne and dry mustard.  Preparation was easy.  I didn't not like it but overall, it's just terribly bland.  Will not make again but would suggest to those who do make it to double the cayenne and mustard, and heavily salt the pasta water.  I'm a believer that reviews should be done on the recipe as it was written, not on a version we create with alterations.  As written, this recipe is quite bland and disappointing.  And I wouldn't call it healthy.  Look at the nutrition numbers.

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