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!
- 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!
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!
Made this for lunch today! YUMMY! It’s awesome! Definitely a very grownup version of mac & cheese w/ hot dogs! =)
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!
Chicken apple sausage is never an option. In fact, it’s mandatory in my opinion.
Looks delicious Heather!
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!
Hi Heather, This looks scrumptious. You think I could use kielbasa sausage in stead?
Thanks Regina
definitely! i was just thinking the other day that kielbasa would be great in it as well.
I wasn’t allowed to watch Friends either! I had to sneak it. 🙂
Same here. I have more than made up for it by now by watching all the episodes 500 times. 😉
That is one dreamy and creamy mac and cheese! Hard to believe it is butternut squash.
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
OMG does this taste 1000 times better pregnant. . .looks sooo good.
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.
hahaha i love how they yell DANGER! like that…like an attacker is going to do the same thing. i stinking love that show!
That’s one of my favorite FRIENDS episodes! So funny!
Your din looks good too!
Hahaha…I love that episode 🙂 And this looks very tasty!
This is like the 3rd recipe I’ve seen for this today! (Or something similar!) Need to make it soon!
That was a great episode of Friends! This looks delicious, Heather. I am loving the addition of the butternut squash! 🙂