Butternut squash mac & cheese

Butternut squash mac & cheese

Make our creamy butternut squash macaroni cheese for a comforting vegetarian family dinner. Roasted squash adds extra flavour to this classic pasta bake.

Ingredients

  • butternut squash peeled and cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks
    1 large
  • olive oil
    2 tsp
  • macaroni
    300 g
  • butter
    50 g
  • plain flour
    50 g
  • english mustard powder
    1 tsp
  • milk
    500 ml
  • extra-mature cheddar or vegetarian alternative

    grated

    200 g
  • parmesan or vegetarian alternative

    grated

    50 g

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash with the olive oil and some seasoning, and roast on a baking sheet for 15-20 mins until tender. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni following pack instructions, then drain.

  2. 2

    Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour and mustard powder to make a paste. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer to thicken to a smooth sauce, stirring constantly.

  3. 3

    Take the sauce off the heat and mash in a third of the squash with the cheddar and half the Parmesan. Season, then stir in the drained macaroni with the remaining squash. Tip into an ovenproof dish, scatter with the remaining Parmesan and bake for 15 mins until golden and bubbling.

Butternut squash mac & cheese

Butternut squash mac & cheese

50 min828 cal

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About this Recipe

Looking for the ultimate comforting dinner that the whole family will love? This creamy butternut squash mac & cheese takes a classic pasta bake and infuses it with rich, roasted flavor for a truly special meal. It’s the perfect answer for a cozy evening, delivering warmth and satisfying cheesy goodness in every bite.

What sets this macaroni cheese apart is the brilliant addition of roasted butternut squash, which melts seamlessly into the sauce. This technique not only provides an incredible depth of flavor and velvety texture but also adds natural sweetness and a beautiful golden hue, elevating a simple cheese sauce into something truly extraordinary and wholesome.

Prepare for a truly indulgent experience: perfectly cooked macaroni tubes swimming in a luxurious, creamy cheese sauce, with the subtle sweetness and earthy notes of butternut squash shining through. The extra-mature cheddar and parmesan create a rich, savory tang that balances the squash beautifully, promising comforting warmth. This is a hearty, satisfying dish that feels both familiar and exciting, perfect for a cozy family dinner that’s effortlessly vegetarian.

While designed to be a comforting family favorite, you can easily adapt this dish to your pantry. For a different root vegetable twist, consider adding pumpkin alongside or even instead of the butternut squash, as they roast similarly. If you prefer a milder cheese profile, a medium cheddar can be swapped in for some of the extra-mature cheddar, though you'll lose some of that intense cheesy flavor.

This butternut squash mac & cheese is the ideal centerpiece for a heartwarming family dinner or a comforting weekend meal, especially as the weather cools. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad to cut through its richness, creating a wonderfully balanced plate that feels complete.

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