Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe

Your favourite comfort food with a healthy twist! 

Written by Naomi Kereliuk, Acadia University Student in the Nutrition and Dietetics program and reviewed by our Health Stand Nutrition Dietitian Team 

This creamy and cheesy dish is perfect for any day of the week and the addition of nutrient-rich butternut squash creates the perfect balanced meal. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a great way to sneak in some extra fiber and vitamins. Get ready to savor every bite and share it with your loved ones. Enjoy!

Makes 2 portions

What You Need:

• ½ of a small-medium butternut squash 
• 1 cup macaroni noodles
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp of butter 
• ¼ cup milk of choice 
• ½ cup grated cheese of choice 
• 1 tsp onion powder  
• 1 tsp garlic powder  
• Salt and pepper 

How to Make Butternut Mac & Cheese:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  
2. Chop squash in half, remove seeds, and peel.  
3. Chop squash into 1” pieces and lay on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.  
4. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.  
5. Heat a medium pan and add butter, milk, and pasta water. Bring to simmer then add grated cheese and stir continuously to make cheese sauce. 
6. Add cheese sauce mix to blender with onion powder, garlic powder, and a little bit of salt and pepper.  
7. Take squash out of the oven and add to blender. Blend all the ingredients until smooth and pour over macaroni noodles to serve. 

Enjoy this tasty dish for lunch or dinner and let us know what you think in the comments below! 

Nutrients per serving:

• Calories – 786
• Protein – 27 g
• Carbohydrates – 30 g
• Fat – 39 g
• Fibre – 3 g

Looking for more ways to use butternut squash? Use the leftover squash from this recipe and try these!