BEST Baked Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

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.

Cut off the ends of the butternut squash using a sharp knife, pushing in about an inch and working around the squash.

Set the squash upright and cut it down the center using a rocking motion, keeping fingers out of the way.

Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and save them to roast later.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Spray the butternut squash lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt and pepper.

Turn the squashes upside down and place them in a 400°F oven for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, check that the skin is soft and scoop out about 4 cups of roasted butternut squash into a bowl.

Boil elbow noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Dice 4 cloves of garlic and slice half of an onion.

Sauté the onions in a Dutch oven with 1 tablespoon of light olive oil over medium-high heat until softened, about 1 minute, then add the garlic and a couple pinches of salt.

Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to a blender.

Add 1 cup of cottage cheese, 1 cup of vegetable stock, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of paprika, and 4 cups of roasted butternut squash to the blender and blend until smooth.

In the same Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add 1/4 cup of almond flour, stirring until well incorporated and bubbly.

Slowly add almond milk while stirring, adjusting heat to keep at a low simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Add the blended sauce to the pot and stir together, then add 3 cups of shredded cheese and stir until melted.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens