Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A surprise ingredient adds so much flavor and nutrition as well as reduced calories to this recipe for Lightened Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. This recipe is from, The CHEW Approved, The Most Popular Recipes from the Chew Viewers. It is a stove-top version of Mac and cheese and it is delicious! I am excited about this recipe and many others in the cookbook. 

There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.

Easy way to peel butternut squash

Fighting with a butternut squash can be hard and dangerous. This simple method takes the fear out of peeling and cutting through the very hard rind.

Begin by slicing away both ends of the squash. Then use a sharp, pointed knife or a fork and make several cuts or holes through the squash. Place the squash into the microwave and heat on high power 3-4 minutes. Remove from microwave and allow to cool a few minutes.

Peel the skin away using a vegetable peeler or a knife.

It peel comes away easily!

Cut the squash into slices and then into cubes. Discard the seeds and pulp from the center of the squash.

Make the butternut squash mac and cheese sauce

In a medium saucepan, add the squash, chicken stock, milk and garlic; bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer until squash is fork tender.

While the squash mixture is simmering, grate the Parmesan and Cheddar cheese.

  When the squash is tender, carefully pour the mixture into a blender.

Be very careful as you blend the hot mixture until smooth. I have a very old blender. To prevent splatters and burns, I leave the lid of the blender just slightly ajar and cover the unit with a towel as I pulse the machine.

Add the sour cream and cheeses to the blender; pulse until combined and cheese is melted. Set aside.

Cook the pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Pour the butternut squash mixture into a large bowl or skillet.

Combine pasta and butternut cheese sauce

Add the drained pasta and stir with a spoon, coating the pasta with the sauce. Spoon into a serving dish or individual bowls. Top with crushed crackers and toss on fresh, chopped parsley. For a browned top, pop the dish(s) under the broiler for just a few minutes until the tips of the pasta gets a little crispy and the cracker crumbs are toasted. Then sprinkle on the chopped parsley.

Butternut squash mac and cheese is such a great way to add nutrition to your family’s meal. The color is the same as regular mac and cheese and the lower calories makes me very happy. The mild butternut squash adds a hint of sweetness for a really yummy entree you won’t feel guilty eating.

Lighten Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe

slightly adapted from Clinton Kelly from The Chew

PRINT RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups cubed butternut squash
1 1/4 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 pound penne pasta or your favorite shaped-pasta
6-8 buttery crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan over medium-high, add butternut squash, stock, milk and garlic. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until the squash is tender (about 20 minutes).

Remove from heat and add to the base of a blender. Add in the Greek yogurt and season with salt and pepper. Blend starting on low and slowly increase the speed, being careful to avoid splatters. Blend until smooth and then add in the Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Blend again until combined and cheese is melted. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cavatappi according to the package instructions.

Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add panko and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

When pasta is done, drain and add it directly to the cheesy squash mixture.

Serve with the toasted panko sprinkled on top. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Tips
– Make the cheese-squash sauce ahead of time and warm before use.
– Buy pre-cut squash for easier preparation or steam/microwave a whole squash to easily cut and peel.

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Macaroni and Cheese

The CHEW Approved: The Most Popular Recipes from The Chew Viewers, published by Kingswell, Los Angeles/New York. The cookbook features mouthwatering recipes from the popular segment on the CHEW, hosted by Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, and Michael Symon.

Chew Tank is a popular segment on The Chew, ABC’s hit show hosted by Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, and Michael Symon. In Chew Tank, viewers submit their own recipes and compete for a chance to cook with one of the hosts. We have gathered many of these recipes in this fifth companion cookbook to the hit daytime show. Just as they do everyday on the hit ABC daytime show, Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, and Michael Symon will provide you with tips and tricks that make cooking for your family and friends more fun and manageable than you ever thought possible.

I received my own copy of this great cookbook, from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Lightened Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is the first recipe I have made but I an excited to cook my way through the cookbook. I have little post tabs throughout the book of many of the recipes that look fabulous and I plan to make.

Does Chocolate Chip Pecan Skillet Cookie Sunday from Carla Hall sound amazing? How about a viewer’s Fudgy Brownies with Raspberry Sauce! The recipes included in the Fabulous Weekend Feasts chapter all look so tempting. And then there are Amazing Appetizers, Weeknight Wonders, Breakfast Bonanza and Sensational Sweets loaded with tantalizing dishes. I think I will just need to order a copy as a gift for my sister so we can cook and bake our way through it together!

There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.

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