Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese - Make it Healthy Without Sacrificing Flavor

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk is lower in calories and can be dairy-free.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a healthier fat option.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a vegan alternative with a similar taste.

Brown 4 oz of diced pancetta in a pan over medium heat until rendered.

Prepare the noodles by selecting a wide short elbow macaroni or shells, or bow tie pasta.

In a separate pot, heat up water for boiling the noodles.

Add chicken stock (bone broth) to the pan with the pancetta, scraping the bottom to deglaze.

Add the cubed butternut squash to the pan and increase the heat to high, bringing it to a boil.

Cover the pan and cook the squash until tender, about 5-10 minutes.

Once the squash is boiling, add 1/2 cup of water to the pot of boiling water and season it with salt (about 2 tablespoons) and white wine vinegar (1-2 tablespoons).

Add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, checking occasionally to avoid overcooking.

Grate about 1/4 pound of aged sharp cheddar cheese and set aside, keeping some for later if needed.

Once the noodles are done, strain them and press them down with a spoon to remove excess water.

Turn off the heat for the squash, then use an immersion blender to blend the squash until smooth.

Return the heat to medium-low and add 1/3 block of cream cheese to the blended squash, stirring until melted and combined.

Add the grated cheddar cheese to the squash mixture, adjusting the amount based on desired texture.

Incorporate 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream into the cheese sauce for creaminess.

Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce, allowing them to absorb the liquid and thicken the sauce.

Taste the sauce for seasoning, adjusting if necessary, but typically no additional seasonings are needed.

Serve the mac and cheese topped with the reserved pancetta.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens