Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
With Mazola® Canola Olive Oil Blend
SERVING SIZE
8 SERVINGS
TOTAL TIME
1 HOUR 5 MINUTES
SKILL LEVEL
INTERMEDIATE
Ingredients:
- 3 cups (12 ounces) elbow macaroni OR small shells (regular, whole wheat or gluten free)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Mazola® Canola Olive Oil Blend
- 1/3 cup grated onion
- 3 cups skim milk, divided
- 12 ounces peeled, cubed (1/2 to 3/4-inch) butternut squash (approximately 2-1/2 cups)
- 3 tablespoons Fleischmann’s Corn Starch
- 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black medium grind pepper
- Dash (or more) cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp OR extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs OR crushed rice square cereal
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain.
- While pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. (Note: reserve 1/2 to 1 cup pasta water for the sauce.)
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan (at least 3-quart).
- Add onion and cook about 3 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Add 2-1/2 cups milk and squash.
- Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until squash is tender and cooked through.
- Remove from burner and puree using an immersion blender OR potato masher.
- Return to medium heat.
- Whisk remaining 1/2 cup milk and corn starch in a small bowl until thoroughly combined; add to pan slowly.
- Bring mixture to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low.
- Add garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and cheeses.
- Stir until cheese melts; add cooked pasta.
- Stir in reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Place in a 3-quart casserole OR 13 x 9-inch baking dish OR 8 individual casseroles that have been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with crumbs.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are bubbly.
Recipe Tips: Using a thawed, frozen 12 ounce box of cooked squash can be a timesaver. Stir squash into hot milk mixture, thicken and then add cheeses. This can easily be a gluten free recipe by using gluten free pasta and crushed gluten free rice square cereal.