Butternut squash is rich in anti-oxidants in the article from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics article in May 2020. Anti-oxidants protect healthy cells which helps prevent cancer, heart disease and cataracts.
If you like squash recipes, you may also like to try these popular recipes:
- Acorn Squash Nests
- Chicken Thighs with Cranberries and Butternut Squash
- Savory Butternut Squash Soup
- Grilled Vegetable Lasagna
As you know, we like to eat with our eyes. Did you know that our dietitian Kaitlin Williams Eckstein, MPH, RD, LD created this recipe, cooked and photographed it too! This recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta as indicated in the recipe below.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled and chopped
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp thyme fresh, chopped
- 1 lb pasta whole wheat or gluten-free; cooked and drained
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth low sodium chicken or vegetable
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt nonfat plain
- Pinch of nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz cheese shredded cheese of choice
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Toss butternut squash, onion, and garlic in olive oil. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp thyme. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until soft and browned. Once removed from the oven, reduce heat to 350ºF.
- In the meantime, cook pasta according to package directions.
- When the butternut squash is done, place in a blender with your broth of choice, milk, yogurt, and nutmeg, and blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta with squash puree. Mix in your cheese of choice (reserving 1/4 cup for topping), and 2 Tbsp fresh, chopped thyme, if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Spray casserole dish lightly with cooking spray. Spoon noodle mixture into the dish and lightly sprinkle with remaining cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake for 20-30 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned.
Nutrition
If you like our Butternut Squash Mac Cheese, please let us know in the comments below.
Please note:
Nutrition info is an estimate and may contain errors.
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An award winning recipe developer, Dietitian Kaitlin’s mission is to empower others to reach their health goals by encouraging them to get back into the kitchen. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Diabetes.
