Butternut squash mac and cheese! If you thought the Trader Joe’s version was good, you’ll LOVE this homemade one. I adapted the recipe from my traditional macaroni and cheese. Instead of making a roux with flour and butter, I used pureed roasted squash as the base of the cheese sauce. The squash makes it insanely creamy (even creamier than classic mac!) and adds a subtle sweetness to the rich, cheesy flavor. Bonus: it sneaks in some extra nutrients too! This butternut squash mac and cheese has been a huge hit in our house. It’s comforting, delicious, and—thanks to the squash—just perfect for fall. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this butternut squash mac and cheese recipe:
Butternut squash, of course! Look for one on the larger side. You’ll need 2 cups of soft roasted squash to make the creamy sauce. Pasta – Shells are my shape of choice, but elbow macaroni or pipe rigate would work well too. Three types of cheese – Gruyere, sharp cheddar, and pecorino or Parmesan! The nutty Gruyere and tangy cheddar melt beautifully into the creamy sauce. A little pecorino adds savory depth of flavor. Shallots – You’ll roast them alongside the squash to add oniony flavor to the sauce. Extra-virgin olive oil – It helps the squash blend into a creamy puree. Balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, and ground sage – For fall flavor! The tangy vinegar and warm, earthy seasonings bring out the butternut squash taste. Onion powder and garlic powder – For an umami kick. Unsweetened almond milk – Feel free to use 2% or whole milk if you prefer. Panko breadcrumbs – They create a delicious crispy topping for the comforting pasta. And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
You can find the full recipe with measurements and step-by-step instructions at the bottom of this post. But to get you started, here’s a quick overview of how it goes: Start by roasting the squash and shallots. Tip: To get ahead, do this step in advance. You can store the roasted vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Once they’re cooked, the rest of the recipe comes together quickly! Meanwhile, prepare the topping by tossing the panko with a little olive oil, and cook the pasta. Before you drain the pasta, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the starchy cooking water.
Next, make the squash puree. Measure 2 cups of the soft roasted butternut squash flesh. Add it to a blender with the shallots, olive oil, balsamic, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, nutmeg, and several grinds of pepper.
Pour in the reserved pasta water…
…and blend until creamy. Then, make the cheese sauce. Return the pasta pot to the stove, add the almond milk, and warm it over medium heat. Pour in the squash puree and cook, stirring often, until warmed through. Whisking constantly, gradually add the cheeses, making sure each addition melts fully before adding the next.
When all the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, add the cooked pasta. Stir to coat it in the luscious sauce.
Yum!!
Finally, bake the butternut mac and cheese. Transfer it to an oiled 9×13-inch or similar baking dish, and top with the panko. Broil until the topping is crisp and browned. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Then, dig in!
Serving Suggestions
This butternut squash mac and cheese is such a cozy fall dinner! Pair it with a simple veggie side dish like steamed broccoli, roasted broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts. It also goes nicely with a fresh salad like one of these:
Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Simple Green Salad Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Kale Salad
Another option: Serve the butternut mac and cheese as a Thanksgiving side dish! It’ll be a total crowd-pleaser.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this butternut squash mac and cheese, try one of these Love & Lemons recipes next:
Homemade Mac and Cheese Vegan Mac and Cheese Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Butternut Squash Risotto Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Butternut Squash Ravioli Butternut Squash Soup
