A chef shares her recipe for a delicious, lightened-up version of mac and cheese using butternut squash. Here are the key details:
- Swap out some cheese for pureed butternut squash
- It reduces fat and calories but keeps the creamy texture
- Simple, veggie-packed dish that’s perfect for holidays
- Step-by-step instructions for making it at home
Do you love the comfort of creamy mac and cheese but want a healthier option? Keep reading to learn about this clever recipe twist!
The Healthy Swap No One Will Taste
Macaroni and cheese are a classic favourite, beloved for its rich, indulgent cheesy sauce. But all that cheese can mean a lot of fat, calories, and guilt.
That’s where chef Yumna’s veggie-packed recipe comes in. Her ingenious trick? Swap out some of the cheese for pureed butternut squash!
You might be thinking, Squash in my mac and cheese? But stick with usโwhen roasted and blended, the bright orange squash creates a luxuriously creamy sauce without tons of dairy. Even picky eaters likely won’t be able to tell the difference.
A Simple Ingredient List
Photo credit – Flickr
To make this healthier mac and cheese, you only need a handful of basic, inexpensive ingredients:
- Butternut squash (fresh or frozen)
- Elbow macaroni
- Onion, garlic, spices
- Vegetable broth
- Milk
- Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses
Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavour of your mac and cheese, even with less cheese than usual.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
The process is surprisingly simple, even for a novice cook. Here’s a quick overview of how it’s made:
- Roast and puree the butternut squash with broth and spices
- Melt in some cheese to make a creamy sauce
- Mix in cooked elbow macaroni
- Sprinkle with additional cheese and bake until it melts.
That’s it! The hands-on prep is fast, and the oven does most of the work. In about an hour, you’ve got a healthier, veggie-packed mac and cheese ready to go.
Not only is this perfect for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving, but it also makes for an easy, kid-friendly weeknight dinner. The sneaky squash is a great way to get picky eaters eating their veggies without complaint!
The Taste Testers Approve
When chef Yumna taste-tested her creation on a self-proclaimed big mac and cheese fan, the verdict was a resounding yes – he loved it!
That’s a ringing endorsement if we’ve ever heard one. If a passionate mac and cheese enthusiast can’t even tell there’s squash involved, you know this recipe hits all the right creamy, cheesy notes.
So Why Not Give It a Try?
Whether you want to cut some calories and fat or sneak more veggies into your diet, this roasted butternut squash mac and cheese could be your new secret weapon.
It’s an easy, inexpensive dish that tastes as indulgent as the original – no one will know it’s been lightened up! Plus, you’ll walk away feeling good about eating a veggie-packed meal without sacrificing flavour.
Does making an ultra-creamy, cheesy mac and cheese from squash sound too good to be true? This clever recipe deserves a spot on your table. Why not give it a try this Thanksgiving? Your tastebuds (and waistline) may thank you!
Photo Credit – Flickr
