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Healthy mac and cheese in a white serving bowl, garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Stephanie

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash

This thick and creamy mac and cheese has three types of cheese and butternut squash. It comes together quickly on the stovetop making it perfect for busy weeknights! Plus, your kids will never know they're getting a serving of vegetables in this clean eating recipe that’s kid-approved! Try this comfort recipe today!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 serving
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 c. whole wheat pasta, dry
  • 1 butternut squash, cooked, mashed - Butternut squash from your grocer's freezer may be substituted.
  • 1/2 c. chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 5 wedges light laughing cow, creamy swiss
  • 3 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese
  • 2 T. freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 c. milk - 2%, 1%, or skim
  • 2 T. sour cream
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large pan, dutch oven
  • whisk

Method
 

Cook Pasta
  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rapid boil. Add pasta and cook 9-10 minutes until tender. Drain.
Prepare Cheese Sauce
  1. Prepare cheese sauce while cooking the pasta.
    Place cooked and mashed butternut squash into a deep pan, like a dutch oven over medium heat.
    Add chicken broth, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Heat for 1-2 minutes until garlic is cooked.
    Add laughing cow cheese wedges and whisk into the butternut squash mixture.
    Add cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stir until cheese is melted.
    Add sour cream and milk and stir until incorporated.
    Keep warm.
Combine pasta with cheese mixture.
  1. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add to the butternut squash cheese mixture.
    Heat through and serve.
    Optional, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

My favorite way to cook butternut squash is wrapped in foil and placed in my slow cooker. It takes about 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low. This can be done in the morning you plan to make this meal or the day ahead.
The butternut squash can be baked in the oven at 350° for 1 1/2 hours. Cover it in foil to keep it moist.
In a pinch you can use fresh or frozen, diced butternut squash and steam it in the microwave.