What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think comfort food? For me it’s rich and creamy mac and cheese! I’m a savory gal and would take pasta drowning in cheese over cake any day of the week! This butternut squash version of the original is just as delicious but with half the fat and calories! Need I say more?
It’s okay to drool. I did too.
I think mac and cheese is the universal food for kids, mine included! I’ve never been one to buy the blue box, but we do love to make our own. There is nothing quite like homemade mac and cheese. Wouldn’t you agree?
This is our favorite splurge recipe. It is SO good.
Yes it’s made with REAL whole ingredients like cream, butter and cheese. No complaints, its delicious and we gladly indulge on occasion. But I wanted to create a similar but lighter version using some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
Butternut squash was the answer. It adds color, texture and a flavor of it’s own, you can hardly tell a difference! In fact my husband had no idea he was eating squash and carrots until I told him, which was a BIG mistake. He got full real fast after that. I learned to keep my kids clueless going forward, they still have no idea I snuck three veggies in there. Mom win!
Hello rich creamy golden deliciousness, it’s very nice to meet you.
Mix it up
There is no wrong way to mac and cheese! Try mixing it up with these lip smacking mix ins.
- Bacon & parsley
- Broccoli & pearl onions
- Roasted tomato & fresh basil
- Andouille sausage & sautéed mushrooms
- Buffalo sauce & blue cheese
- Ham & peas
- Green chilies & diced tomato
My mouth is watering! What combo would you pick?
I served my sauce over zoodles and it was just as delicious! Like, I went back for seconds + licked my plate CLEAN delicious. My family had theirs over capellini pasta and loved it!
Try topping a baked potato, dipping with chips and veggies or enjoy it by the spoonful! I did. It is sure to be a staple in our Clean Eats kitchen! Enjoy!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash about 3 full cups, cubed
- 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup swiss cheese grated
- 1 cup 2% mik
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- dash of freshly ground pepper
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Dice the onion and add to the oil in the pan, sauteing over low heat until fragrant and golden, about 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, remove the skin and the seeds from the squash. Cut the flesh into small 1-inch cubes.
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Peel carrots and cut into 1-inch chunks.
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Bring 4 cups of broth plus 2 cups of water to a boil and add the squash and carrots. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain, and transfer carrots and squash to the blender. Add the onions, milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, dijon mustard, salt and pepper and puree until completely smooth and creamy. This should yield about 4 cups sauce.
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Pour the pureed sauce back into sauté pan and add the shredded cheese. Stir to melt the cheese; add remaining broth to adjust consistency as needed. Pour over cooked noodles.
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Serve with parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
Recipe Notes
For a Dairy Free + Vegan option
- Add broth instead of milk when blending and omit the cheese. Enjoy!
This recipe is perfect for a cold winter day! I’d love to use a new Le Creuset! 🙂
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to try it !
I would love to use my Le Creuset to make this for my 2 yr old! Looks so yummy!!
Macaroni & cheese is my weekness too. I love butternut squash i WIll have to try this recipe
Yum!! This looks amazing! I’d love to make this Mac n cheese in my new Le Creuset!!!
ig: designinganewme
Yeah, I’ll be making this recipe with the cookware if I win it! Otherwise l’ll make it with what I already own! Yum!
YUM! This will definitely be made in my new Le Creuset set! (Entering Instagram giveaway) 🙂
This recipe looks amazing! If I won the le creuset giveaway I would definitely be using this recipe! I’m always looking for ways to hide veggies in my kids food! .. and hubbies 😂 Such a fun fgiveaway!! I’ve been wanting a le creuset for years! ❤️
This is my favorite Clean Eats recipe!
I for sure would use the cookware for this recipe! I always have the hardest time eating vegetables and so does my son. So this is a great way to get those veggies in without noticing you’re even eating them. No complaints from my two year old.
Yum! So delcious! I would love to use some new cookware to make this Mac & Cheese for my kids! 😋
IVe been looking for a great butternut squash Mac and cheese to feed my picky eater 3 year old. This one looks like the best of them all. If I won the Le Creuset set, I would use it to cook this dish. Thank you!
My son recently had braces put on with the extra attachments behind the front teeth so he doesn’t bite off the lower braces…. why am I telling you this? Well, those little extra attachments Make it really, really hard to chew, even more so than regular braces. This recipe tasted so good to my son and with extra mix-in ideas you listed, I’m able to make it often Without anyone in my family getting tired of it.. Thank you for the healthier option to a family favorite!
Who doesn’t LOVE Mac and cheese?! Specially when it’s a healthy recipe! I’ll definitely make this super yummy recipe if I have the chance to win the giveaway on instagram! 😋😋😋 nonstick pans are the best!!
This recipe looks perfect to try in a le crueset 🙂 can’t wait to try it out!!
I have made this a couple of times and my whole family has loved it! I know a Le Creuset pot would make it that much better! 😊
I need to try this. How awesome if I win ththe new pans to use too!
Looks delicious- I would love to make this with the new cookware if I won- fingers crossed 🤞🏻
If I won the giveaway on IG this is what I would make first!!!! So good!!!
I would love to make this with new pans 😘 It would be wonderful to try out a healthier version of a staple in our house. New goal this year is healthier choices for my kids because they are the most important!!
This would be a great recipe to make on my new 🤞 @lecreuset pans from your giveaway
I love this healthy alternative to Mac n cheese! Can’t wait to recreate this yummy recipe using all the new LeCreuset non stick pan set!
Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us!
I would use the Le Creuset pots/pans from the giveaway to make this recipe!!!!!
This this this is what I’m going to cook in my new Le Cruset cookwear!! Cheesy, gooey goodness! Yum!!!!!
Yum I would definitely use some snazzy new Le Creuset to cook this up! 😉(Healthy) Comfort food at it’s finest and butternut squash makes everything better in my opinion. Thanks for sharing! -insta: katekatie.gil
New pots=fried eggs and whole30 everything!
One of our favorites!!! I’ll use the new pot for this ❤️
Totally would make this in the Le Creuset pans! Looks delicious!!
I am definitely thinking my daughter would live this recipe!!! Would love to try it!
This would be the first recipe I’d make to break in the Le Creuset collection with!! Drool drool (once for mac and cheese and once for Le Crueset).
I’m drooling and it’s an hour past my bedtime! I would DEFINITELY use the LE CREUSET set for this recipe! 🤤
Looks so good! I want to make this tonight!
This is on our dinner line up this week! Can’t wait for my Mac and cheese obsessed six yr old to try it. Also would love to try cooking it in a Le Creuset pot. 😉
Excellent healthy version of mac and cheese. A little sweeter and less cheesy than I am used to, so I added a little extra cheddar. I like traditional baked mac and cheese, so I topped each serving with buttered panko crumbs, and added a little cayenne pepper to add a little bite (I don’t recommend for little ones). Will definitely make again.
That sounds delicious!!!