Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac + Cheese
I received a butternut squash in my Misfits Market order this week and thought combining it with a big batch of mac and cheese would be perfect to have over the course of the week.
Along with the butternut squash, I added some cannellini beans to give the mac and cheese a little extra goodness.
I cut up the butternut squash, grated the cheese in my food processor and got the beans prepped out of the can the night before, cutting down on prep when it came time to make the mac.
This is a super yummy version and will give you plenty for leftovers! Store those leftovers in a container in the fridge and reheat in a pot on the stove with a little butter and milk
Ingredients
1 pound pasta (regular pasta or chickpea pasta would work great. Use a shape that would hold sauce well)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 shallot, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups butternut squash, cubed (you’ll get enough from one medium/large squash)
1.5 cups low sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup canned cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces (1/2 pound) white cheddar cheese, grated (from a block not the bagged stuff)
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano, grated
Salt and pepper
Instructions
1. In a large heavy bottom pot, melt butter over medium heat
2. Add shallot and garlic and sauté for a few minutes
3. Add butternut squash and chicken stock
4. Bring to boil then reduce to simmer and cover for about 15 minutes until squash is soft (test with butter knife or fork, it should slice or mash very easily once done)
5. When squash starts cooking turn on pasta water
6. Once squash is done, drop the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water. Cook a few minutes under suggested cooking time as it will finish cooking in the cheese sauce
7. Then add squash mixture to a high speed blender (I used my Vitamix), followed by the milk and beans
8. Blend until smooth (only takes a few seconds)
9. Add mixture back to pot, add cheese add pinch of pepper. Stir gradually until cheese is melted
10. Once cheese is melted, add pasta and mix to combine. Season with more pepper and salt to taste if needed
11. Serve!
Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac + Cheese
