Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

This week is all about taking comfort foods and changing them to be healthier! When trying to make a recipe healthier than it's original version try to find a way to sneak in some vegetables. Todays recipe looks just like regular Mac and Cheese because the squash keeps the orange cheesy look to it. This recipe was adapted from twopeasandtheirpod.com.

What you'll need

• Pot
• 2 Sauce pans
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing spoon
• Baking dish
• Food processor or blender 

Ingredients 

• 1/2 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni (try a gluten-free rice noodle)
• 1 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 1/4 cup low fat milk
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 rosemary sprig
• 1 cup aged white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs 

Directions 

1. Preheat your oven to 375F
2. Combine the squash, broth, milk, garlic, rosemary and nutmeg ina medium saucepan and bring it to a to a boil over medium high heat. Once boiling reduce heat to medium and simmer until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. This will take about 25 minutes. Then remove from heat and throw away the rosemary sprig.
   
3. While the squash mixture is being prepped, cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Make sure when the noodles are prepared to drain away the water.
4. Add the butternut squash mixture to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Then add in the Greek yogurt and puree again.
5. Place blended squash mixture in a bowl and add the cheeses; stir until combined and the cheeses have mostly melted.
6. Combine pasta and squash mixture in a baking dish.
7. In a large skillet over medium heat add the butter and melt it. After it's melted add the breadcrumbs and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
8. Remove the breadcrumbs from the heat and sprinkle evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
9. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. 

For this weeks theme of healthier comfort food we made three different recipes! 

• Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
• Eggplant Parmesan
• Mashed Cauliflower

Click on any of the above to see the recipe on how to make it and as always feel free to leave questions or comments below!