cheesy butternut squash pasta

cheesy butternut squash pasta

Just call this a new take on a mac and cheese recipe! Since squash is plentiful this time of year, why not use it to create a sauce for pasta! While the goal is not to hide the squash, it will likely fool anyone that it isn’t mac and cheese!

INGREDIENTS

For the pasta:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 lb butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
• 12 oz pasta

For the breadcrumb topping:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.

• Over medium heat, melt the butter in a 3 1/2-qt oven-safe skillet. Once melted, add the onion and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, 4-6 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and cubed squash. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the squash is fully tender, 15-20 minutes.

• While the squash is cooking, prepare the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente.

• When the squash is tender, remove it from the heat. Pour the squash, any remaining liquid, and the milk into a blender. Leave the vent slightly open and covered with a cloth. Blend on high until the squash is smooth.

• Return the blended squash to the skillet. It will be thin. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add the shredded cheese, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and black pepper, and stir until it is smooth. Remove the sauce from the heat.

• Drain the al dente pasta and add it to the prepared sauce. Stir the pasta and cheese together until combined.

• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Mix to combine and sprinkle over the pasta.

• Bake in the preheated 375°F oven until the pasta is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are toasted, 18-22 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and serve.