Best 5 Creamy Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Creamy butternut squash mac and cheese is a delightful blend of creamy macaroni and cheese with the addition of sweet and flavorful butternut squash. This comforting dish is a perfect combination of flavors and textures, creating a gooey, creamy, and rich dish that will please people of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this easy-to-follow guide will help you create the creamiest butternut squash mac and cheese that will surely be a hit at your next gathering.

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

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 & 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 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 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.

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

Tips:

  • Choose the right butternut squash. Look for a squash that is firm and heavy for its size, with a deep orange color. Avoid any squash that has soft spots or blemishes.
  • Roast the butternut squash before adding it to the mac and cheese. This will help to bring out its natural sweetness and flavor. Toss the squash with some olive oil and salt, then roast it at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, or until it is tender and slightly caramelized.
  • Use a good quality cheese. The cheese is the star of the show in this dish, so don't skimp on quality. Use a sharp cheddar cheese or a combination of cheddar and Gruyère.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. The pasta should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will make the dish mushy.
  • Add the butternut squash and cheese to the pasta while it is still hot. This will help the cheese to melt and create a smooth and creamy sauce.
  • Season the mac and cheese to taste. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately. This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.

Conclusion:

Creamy butternut squash mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a fall meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like it cheesy, spicy, or nutty, there is a butternut squash mac and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a satisfying and flavorful dish, give creamy butternut squash mac and cheese a try.

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