Cheese + pasta. One of life’s ultimate combinations. You may not think so right now but adding butternut squash to the mix takes mac n’ cheese to a whole new level. This is one of those don’t knock it until you try it moments. Trust me!
Now, when it comes to my homemade mac n’ cheese recipe, I have always opted for sharp cheddar cheese. But this time I went in a different direction by using Fontina…and nutritional yeast. Again, you have to trust me on this. The sweetness of the butternut squash pairs so well with the creaminess of the Fontina. And the nutritional yeast? Well, that was added for extra nutty flavor.
I researched and looked at 10 different recipes (this one being the main catalyst) before deciding to put my own creative spin on the dish. Both Vishnu and I really love my original recipe, so I definitely wanted to keep elements of that in whatever it was that I made.
With that being said, I present to you my version of creamy butternut squash mac n’ cheese with sautéed mushrooms. Put another way, a delicious way to incorporate pasta, cheese, and veggies into one complete meal. You’re very welcome!
Creamy Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese with Sautéed Mushrooms
Serves 6-8
16 ounces uncooked pasta
7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 heaping tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese
10 ounces sliced portabella mushrooms
salt + pepper to taste
Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper and butternut squash. Mix well and then add water. Cover pan and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occassionally. You know the squash is ready when it can be mashed easily with a fork.
Transfer squash mixture to a high speed blender or food processor and puree. Add the pureed squash and almond milk to pan (over low heat), mixing until incorporated. Add mustard, cayenne pepper and nutritional yeast. Add the cheese and stir until combined. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.
Heat a separate pan over medium-low heat. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes (until mushrooms are tender).
To bring everything together, mix sauce with pasta and then add mushrooms. Gently combine all three elements. Plate and serve!
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Vishnu and I love our mac n’ cheese extra creamy. If you’re like us, this is for you. Every single piece of pasta was covered in sauce. Basically, it was mmm mmm mmm!
And on a completely different note, I AM SO EXCITED because I AM FLYING HOME (to Atlanta) tonight for a family wedding. Always a good time! And the best part is that Vishnu will be joining me on Friday. Woot woot! Can’t wait to see my parents, sister, and extended fam!
What’s your favorite type of cheese? Goat Gouda is my current favorite, but let’s be honest, I’m an equal opportunity person when it comes to cheese. 🙂
You know, I’ve seen so many recipes for butternut squash mac ‘n’ cheese and have always wanted to try it. I’ve also never used nutritional yeast before! I am definitely adding this to my list of things to make soon! Did one medium-to-large butternut squash work and was enough? I’ve actually never bought a butternut squash before, but I have seen it pre-cubed…
Aparna B. recently posted…Currently
A medium butternut squash should be perfect. I thought the one I used was pretty average but I got a lot out of it. You can always adjust the amount of milk and cheese you use too depending on how much squash you have. Let me know when you make it!
This looks so good! Can you bring me some when you come to ATL today? 😉
Hope it warms up for you. It is SO cold!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Strange But Good Bison Cakes + WIAW
Thanks, Laura! And yes, my mom warned me that the weather is not behaving right now. Blah!
Safe flight!!! currently obsessing over Goat’s Feta. Ever tried it??! SO GOOD.
Davida @The Healthy Maven recently posted…Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins with Pecan Streusel
When Alex and I first started dating, we made a butternut mac n cheese together, so I have fond memories of it 😉 This recipe looks amazing!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…Chocolate Almond Granola
I love butternut squash mac and cheese, too. Hard to choose a favorite cheese because like you I give equal opportunity to all but lately I’ve been into really sharp cheddar 🙂
[…] the wine!). I have zero pictures of dinner (or the wine), but it looked very similar to this recipe. We used Gruyere, Monterrey Jack, and a little bit of Gouda in this version. Delicious […]