Week 6: Butternut Mac-n-Cheese

Source: Cooking Light, September 2011

Overall Impression: Healthy but too much work
It was ... not really mac-n-cheese.  If you didn't know that is what it was suppose to be, then it'd be good - rich and creamy with a distinct butternut flavor.  But it was a lot of work and Jordan didn't like it, so I don't think I'll make it again.

Butternut Mac-n-Cheese
Time = 1 hr 20 min
Servings = 8

Ingredients: 

1 lb butternut squash

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1 pint chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1 1/2 c 1% milk

1/2 c plain Greek yogurt

1 lb whole wheat macaroni noodles

1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

1 cup grated Romano cheese

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

olive oil in a spray bottle

1/4 cup fresh snipped chives

Directions

Peel butternut squash and remove the seeds (see picture below).  Cut into 1" cubes.  In a large pot, pour in chicken broth and milk.  Add butternut and garlic.  Bring to boil, stirring occasionally.  Reduce to medium and simmer for 20-25 min or until squash is soft.

When there is about 10 minutes left on the squash, bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add macaroni noodles.  Boil for 7-9 minutes or until noodles are done.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

While the noodles cook, make the sauce.  The original directions say to place butternut sauce in a blender.  But that was very messy (see picture below). I suggest using an immersion blender to make a nice smooth sauce.  While the sauce is still hot, stir in yogurt, all cheeses, salt and pepper.  Keep stirring until cheese is melted.

Spray a 9x13" glass baking dish with olive oil.  Drain the noodles and pour into the baking dish.  Add cheese sauce.  Mix thoroughly.  It will seem soupy, but it thickens up in the oven.

Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes.  (The original directions added some bread crumbs before baking.  I skipped this because the noodles are enough wheat for me.)

Sprinkle with chives right before serving.

Butternut peeled and seeded

Messy, messy