Best 11 Butternut Squash Panko Crusted Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Butternut squash panko crusted mac n cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. This unique recipe combines the flavors of butternut squash, cheese, and panko breadcrumbs to create a dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. The butternut squash provides a sweet and nutty flavor to the dish, while the cheese and panko breadcrumbs add a savory and crunchy texture. This recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household, and it is sure to impress your friends and family.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE



Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese image

This healthier Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe is made with lots of good-for-you squash, it's easy to make in just 30 minutes, and it's SO cozy and creamy and delicious. See notes above for possible ingredient add-ins.

Provided by Ali

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
12 fresh sage leaves (optional)
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 pound (about 4 cups) diced butternut squash*
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
1 pound uncooked pasta (I used shells)
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces good-quality sharp cheddar cheese, shredded*
fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of generously-salted water to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, heat the butter in a separate large sauté pan until melted. Add the sage leaves (if using) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until crispy. Transfer the sage leaves to a separate plate and set aside.
  • Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Then add in the butternut squash and vegetable stock and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the stock reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and mashes easily with a fork.
  • Transfer the squash mixture to a blender. Add in the milk and give the mixture a quick stir. Then very carefully (I recommend slightly opening the cap on the blender lid, so that excess steam can escape) pulse the mixture until smooth.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water for later. Then drain the pasta.
  • While the pasta is cooking, return the butternut squash mixture back to the sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add in the shredded cheddar cheese, and stir until it has melted into the sauce.
  • Taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper as needed. (I used about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.)
  • Then once the pasta is drained, return it to the stockpot. Pour the butternut cheese sauce on top of the pasta, and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add in some of the hot starchy pasta water to thin it out.
  • Serve warm, garnished with the crispy sage leaves if desired.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE



Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese image

I received this recipe from a dear friend. This is a quick, great way to incorporate a fall vegetable into a comfort-food favorite. Sweet, creamy, and delicious.

Provided by bwayfreak3

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon dry mustard
2 cups milk
6 ounces shredded white Cheddar cheese
6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup seasoned dry bread crumbs, or as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place butternut squash, cut-side down, on a baking sheet.
  • Roast squash in the preheated oven until soft, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove squash flesh from skin and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk flour and mustard into melted butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk milk into flour mixture until the mixture has the texture of heavy cream, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Stir butternut squash, white Cheddar cheese, and Cheddar cheese into milk mixture until cheese is melted. Stir rotini into cheese mixture. Pour cheese mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with bread crumbs.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs are golden, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 414.3 calories, Carbohydrate 51.9 g, Cholesterol 45.7 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 307.2 mg, Sugar 6 g

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE



Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese image

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!

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 5 servings (Boo counted for 2)

Number Of Ingredients 14

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

Steps:

  • 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!)

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE



Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese image

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, a healthier version of macaroni and cheese is so creamy and delicious, no one will ever guess it's also good for you!

Provided by Gina

Categories     Brunch     Lunch     Side Dish

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 18

Olive oil spray
Kosher salt
1 pound cubed butternut squash
10 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta
1 ½ cups low sodium vegetable broth (divided)
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium shallot (minced)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk
½ cup shredded gruyere cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped chives (optional, for garnish)
Sriracha sauce (optional, for topping)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9" x 11" glass baking dish with oil and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add squash and boil until tender, 5-6 minutes.
  • When fork tender, transfer squash with a slotted spoon to a blender.
  • Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions. When cooked, drain and put back into the pot.
  • Meanwhile, add ½ cup vegetable broth, onion powder, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to the blender with the squash. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the shallots and cook another minute.
  • Add the remaining 1 cup broth and milk and whisk to combine. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 5 minutes, whisking frequently.
  • Remove pot from heat and whisk in cheese, pureed squash, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
  • Add sauce to noodles, gently mix to combine, then transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture and bake 25 minutes. Switch oven to high broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crumbs are starting to brown.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 275 kcal, Protein 13 g, Carbohydrate 43 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Fat 7 g, Sugar 5 g, Cholesterol 21 mg, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 462 mg

BUTTERNUT MAC 'N' CHEESE



Butternut Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 ounces macaroni
1 butternut squash
Olive oil, for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 yellow onions, sliced
8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed for thinning
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
  • Carefully cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Drizzle half of the squash with olive oil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet cut-side up (reserve the other half of the squash in the fridge for another use). Roast, watching to make sure the surface doesn't get burned (it should have some brown areas, however), until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Scrape out the flesh into a bowl and mash with a potato masher. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • While the squash is roasting, add the onions and 2 tablespoons of the butter to a large, ovenproof skillet over low to medium-low heat. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they're deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove them to a plate.
  • In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle over the flour and whisk it to make a thin paste. Cook it for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking gently, until slightly thick, a couple of minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. You'll probably want to add more salt!
  • Turn the heat to low and stir in the mashed butternut squash. When it is warm, stir in the cheese. If the sauce is overly thick when the cheese is melted, add a splash of milk. Keep stirring until the sauce is nice and hot, then stir in the macaroni. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a pan and combine it with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and bake (I do it straight in the skillet) until the crumbs are golden and the edges bubbly, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese image

This is a delicious recipe for butternut squash mac and cheese that is husband and kid approved. Just beware of portion control; you'll want seconds and then some. Play around with the recipe, it's fairly forgiving.

Provided by Merritt

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
3 cups mashed cooked butternut squash
½ cup skim milk
½ cup cottage cheese
⅓ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon olive oil
⅛ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Place cooked squash in the bowl of a food processor; process until pureed. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in cooked pasta, milk, cottage cheese, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, bouillon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper until completely blended and creamy. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.5 calories, Carbohydrate 44.1 g, Cholesterol 8.5 mg, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 11.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 121.3 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH



Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash image

Ricotta and pureed Butternut squash add extra creaminess to this new Macaroni and Cheese-a favorite comfort-food.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Seasonal Recipes     Fall Recipes     Butternut Squash Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 small butternut squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
1 cup homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock, skimmed of fat
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup)
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated (1 ounce)
2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
Olive-oil, cooking spray
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine squash, stock, and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash contents of saucepan; stir in nutmeg, cayenne, and salt, and season with black pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles; cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl; stir in squash mixture, cheddar, ricotta, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
  • Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking dish (4 inches deep) with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodle mixture.
  • Cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 30 to 40 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 g, Cholesterol 18 g, Fat 6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 505 g

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MACARONI AND CHEESE



Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese image

from "the perfect pantry" - http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2010/11/cayenne-pepper-recipe-butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese.html

Provided by ellie3763

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 1h30m

Yield 1 9x9 pan, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb butternut squash (about 3 cups peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 inch cubes)
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
fresh black pepper
1 lb short pasta (rotini, cellentani, or elbow macaroni)
4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (storebought okay)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
4 tablespoons parmigiano-reggiano cheese, finely grated, divided
2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
olive-oil cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Combine squash, water (or stock) and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash contents of saucepan; stir in nutmeg, cayenne and salt, and season with black pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles; cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl; stir in squash mixture, cheddar, ricotta, and 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano-Reggiano.
  • Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking dish (4 inches deep) with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish. In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodle mixture.
  • Cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 30-40 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475.3, Fat 11.1, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 29.8, Sodium 477.2, Carbohydrate 72.1, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 3.3, Protein 21.7

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE



Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese image

I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. -Megan Schwartz, New York, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 medium butternut squash (about 3 pounds), seeded and cubed
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash ground nutmeg
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Place squash in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook, covered, 8-10 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, place yogurt, milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a blender. Drain squash and transfer to blender; cover and process until pureed. Return mixture to saucepan; heat through. Stir in cheeses until melted., Drain pasta; add to squash mixture. Toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs., Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 750mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 12g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

GOURMET BUTTERNUT SQUASH MACARONI & CHEESE



Gourmet Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese image

My sister clipped this from the Bucks County Courier Times because this foodie loves squash and mac n cheese, so the two of them together = heaven. I'm posting the recipe here for safekeeping although I'm probably going to tweak it according to size and budget (do you know what Locatelli cheese is...? I'll probably just use cheddar. And I'm too lazy to cut a piece of squash, I'm using that frozen pureed squash!) And I'll probably skip the panko topping or at least do it un-buttered to save on calories.

Provided by the80srule

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 6 cups, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 medium butternut squash, cut into cubes but not peeled
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter, melted
salt and pepper
one 16-oz box elbow macaroni (cavatappi pasta is also recommended)
1/4 lb unsalted butter
4 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
8 ounces locatelli cheese, grated
nutmeg
salt
white pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 ounces locatelli cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Season the squash with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Spread water and butter on a sheet pan. Place the squash, flesh side down, on the pan.
  • Roast until the squash is tender (fork-able) them remove from oven and cool.
  • I guess if you're using frozen squash, you can skip the next step.
  • Scoop out the flesh and place in a food processor, pulse until the squash is pureed. Measure out 1/2 cup puree; save the remainder for soup or another use.
  • Cook pasta al dente in salted water, and drain.
  • For the sauce: Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  • Whisk in the flour and dry mustard.
  • Add the milk slowly, whisking continuously until smooth.
  • Add some nutmeg and cook on low heat until the sauce thickens and the flour taste dissipates.
  • Whisk in the cheese, a little at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated. Fold in the 1/2 cup squash puree. Season with salt and white pepper.
  • Stir together the pasta and sauce in a large mixing bowl. Spread in a greased shallow baking dish.
  • To make the topping, melt the butter in a pan then stir in the pank and mix until the crumbs are well coated with butter. Stir in the cheese.
  • Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pasta.
  • Bake at 350 until golden brown, probably 25-35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 809.4, Fat 51.5, SaturatedFat 31.5, Cholesterol 141, Sodium 375.7, Carbohydrate 76.3, Fiber 7.5, Sugar 8.1, Protein 16.8

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PANKO-CRUSTED MAC 'N CHEESE



BUTTERNUT SQUASH PANKO-CRUSTED MAC 'N CHEESE image

Categories     Pasta     Bake     Thanksgiving     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Dinner

Yield 8-10 dishes

Number Of Ingredients 17

Breadcrumb topping1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Mac n' Cheese
16 oz. Monterey Jack (shredded)
8 oz. Gouda (shredded)
1 medium sized butternut squash
1-2 handfuls of fresh sage leaves
2-3 chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
3 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni
lots of butter

Steps:

  • Make Breadcrumbs and set aside. Heat oil in skillet over med.-high heat. Add shallots and rosemary; sauté about 5 minutes. Mix in breadcrumbs. Cook another couple mins., just to give panko a little color/flavor; stir in parsley & pour mixture in bowl. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13x9 baking dish. Caramelize butternut squash in butter with sage. (start early so you can cook it well enough). Cube up about 2/3 to ¾ of a med. butternut squash into ½" cubes. Tear up 6-8 fresh sage leafs into 1/2"+ pieces. Heat several tbls butter in large skillet over med./med.-high heat (enough to generously coat whole skillet). Cover about 80% of skillet with single layer of squash cubes. Toss in a pinch or two of the sage leaves. Allow the squash to cook down and caramelize. Stir/flip INFREQUENTLY (do not mash the cubes - let them cook.). You want the cubes to get a nice, caramelized look to them - not burnt, but definitely starting to brown. When they are about half-way there, throw in a few more larger leafs of sage. Set the finished squash cubes aside in a bowl. Cook macaroni until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Make Mac 'n Cheese sauce. Melt 3 tbls butter in large pot over med. heat. Add shallots and garlic; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour; stir constantly 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture begins to boil, about 5 minutes. Add Monterey Jack and Gouda gradually, stirring until cheeses melt, about 2 minutes. Stir in nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix butternut squash/sage in to cheese sauce. Stir macaroni into warm cheese sauce, mixing gently. Pour Mac 'n Cheese into buttered 13x9 baking dish. Evenly spread breadcrumb mixture on top of Mac 'n Cheese in baking dish. Bake mac and cheese until breadcrumbs are golden, about 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. EAT THAT JUNK!

Tips for Making Butternut Squash Panko-Crusted Mac and Cheese:

- Use the best ingredients. Start with high-quality panko breadcrumbs for a crispy topping. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich flavor, while sharp cheddar cheese provides a bold bite. And of course, don't forget the creamy, sweet butternut squash! - Cook the butternut squash properly. You want the squash to be tender but not mushy. Roasting the squash brings out its natural sweetness and caramelizes the edges. You can also microwave the squash if you're short on time. - Make sure the mac and cheese is creamy and flavorful. Use a good quality cheese sauce and plenty of it. You can use your favorite homemade recipe or a store-bought variety. - Don't overcook the macaroni. Al dente pasta is best for this dish. It will hold its shape and won't get mushy when you bake it. - Assemble the dish carefully. Layer the mac and cheese and butternut squash in a baking dish, then top with the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure the breadcrumbs are evenly distributed so that they get crispy all over. - Bake until the topping is golden brown and bubbly. This usually takes about 20 minutes. You can use the broiler to get the topping extra crispy, if desired.

Conclusion:

Butternut squash panko-crusted mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet butternut squash, creamy mac and cheese, and crispy panko breadcrumbs is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy mac and cheese, give this recipe a try!

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