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Heather's Dish

Heather's Dish

Creamy Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese

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This past Friday I watched Friends for the first time in months.  It was the one with the Unagi.  We know this can only lead to good things.

Nate is shocked that when Friends first came out I wasn’t allowed to watch it, but I have to say that I’m thankful that my parents only let us watch things like Full House and all the of the fabulous shows on Friday nights.  Oh, and Fresh Prince, which I am convinced I will always know the theme song too.  I picture a 70-something-year-old me rapping along to it to impress my grandchildren.  Because clearly they will know who Will Smith is and enjoy the Carlton dance as much as I still do.  Of course.

But I say that I’m glad my parents didn’t let me watch Friends because I honestly don’t know if I would think it was as funny when I was 12 as I do now.  Adult relationships are so foreign when you’re barely in middle school, but now it all makes sense.  Since I always act like an adult these days.  Duh.

 

So why am I talking about the Friends episode with the Unagi?  Well, if you remember clearly (and if you don’t you should go watch the episode again) Monica and Chandler are celebrating Valentine’s Day late since she had to work, and promised each other homemade gifts.  They both forgot but Chandler found a random mixed tape that he gave to her only to find out that she forgot to make him something.  So after an evening of adult fun Monica makes him one of his favorite meals – macaroni and cheese with cut-up hotdogs!

 

Now to clarify I was never a fan of mac and cheese and hotdogs together, but methinks the pregnancy hormones are working their magic and made it sound pretty fabulous.  If you’re not a fan though, or not pregnant, and don’t want to toss the chicken sausage in there then don’t – it’s heavenly without it too!

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH MACARONI & CHEESE

  • 1 lb. pasta of choice (I used Dreamfields Healthy Carb Living Penne, which was a fantastic choice.  The company sent it to me to try, but I would definitely spend my own money on it because it’s delicious)
  • 1 15-oz can butternut squash puree
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional – it balances out the sweetness of the squash)
  • 12 oz chicken apple sausage (optional)

Turn your oven to broil.  Cook the pasta according to package directions til it reaches just before al dente – it will sit in the sauce for a bit and will finish cooking.  In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat.  Add the flour and whisk together to form a quick roux.  Let the butter and flour cook for about a minute and then stream in the milk while whisking to mix everything well.  Add in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, onion powder and cayenne and whisk to combine.  Let the milk mixture come up to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-6 minutes until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and the squash.  Taste for seasoning – you may want to add more salt or pepper.  If you’re using chicken sausage, add it in here.  Pour the pasta in and fold it with the sauce, then place under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.  Serve hot!

I feel like such a grown-up when my food cravings come from 1990’s TV shows.  Maybe next week I’ll make a peanut butter and pickle sandwich…I’m sure it’s been done before 🙂

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Comments

  1. Jamie says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    OMG chicken apple sausage and cheddar? I am so loving this mac and cheese! And I love the addition of butternut squash which must give it an extra sweet touch. Love it!!! Give me a huge bowl of this and what a perfect Thanksgiving it would be!

    Reply
  2. jen b says

    November 23, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Made this for lunch today! YUMMY! It’s awesome! Definitely a very grownup version of mac & cheese w/ hot dogs! =)

    Reply
  3. laura says

    November 22, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    i feel exactly the same way about Friends — i wasn’t allowed to watch it either and i’m glad! love it now in a way that i could not have understood then!

    Reply
  4. Heather Eats Almond Butter says

    November 22, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Chicken apple sausage is never an option. In fact, it’s mandatory in my opinion.

    Looks delicious Heather!

    Reply
  5. Cassie says

    November 21, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    I watched every.single.episode of Friends and I still watch them. In fact, I watched reruns all day yesterday, it was glorious! This sounds fabulous…I might be stopping to pick up butternut squash on the way home tonight, no joking!

    Reply
  6. Regina says

    November 21, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Hi Heather, This looks scrumptious. You think I could use kielbasa sausage in stead?
    Thanks Regina

    Reply
    • Heather says

      November 22, 2011 at 7:00 am

      definitely! i was just thinking the other day that kielbasa would be great in it as well.

      Reply
  7. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    November 21, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    I wasn’t allowed to watch Friends either! I had to sneak it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie @SavvyEats says

      November 21, 2011 at 3:35 pm

      Same here. I have more than made up for it by now by watching all the episodes 500 times. 😉

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    November 21, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    That is one dreamy and creamy mac and cheese! Hard to believe it is butternut squash.

    Reply
  9. Brooke C says

    November 21, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    I first saw this on the Pioneer Woman last year when she featured In SockMonkey Slippers (another food blog) recipe and I will tell you it is an amazing recipe! We cook it all the time and I will do what you did and add sausage next time I cook it. Love butternut squash in mac and cheese! Yours looks delish

    Reply
  10. Delishhh says

    November 21, 2011 at 11:13 am

    OMG does this taste 1000 times better pregnant. . .looks sooo good.

    Reply
  11. Julie @SavvyEats says

    November 21, 2011 at 9:59 am

    DANGER!

    I lovvvvve that episode. And I used to LOVE mac & cheese with cut-up hot dogs as a kid. Still do, from time to time.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      November 22, 2011 at 7:01 am

      hahaha i love how they yell DANGER! like that…like an attacker is going to do the same thing. i stinking love that show!

      Reply
  12. Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says

    November 21, 2011 at 8:45 am

    That’s one of my favorite FRIENDS episodes! So funny!

    Your din looks good too!

    Reply
  13. Anna @ On Anna's Plate says

    November 21, 2011 at 8:14 am

    Hahaha…I love that episode 🙂 And this looks very tasty!

    Reply
  14. Blog is the New Black says

    November 21, 2011 at 7:57 am

    This is like the 3rd recipe I’ve seen for this today! (Or something similar!) Need to make it soon!

    Reply
  15. Kim in MD says

    November 21, 2011 at 7:33 am

    That was a great episode of Friends! This looks delicious, Heather. I am loving the addition of the butternut squash! 🙂

    Reply

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  1. Reading List — Savvy Eats says:
    January 26, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    […] I would like a bowl of this mac and cheese, […]

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ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA AND ALMONDS
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