My staple Thanksgiving side dish
INTRO
For the past two Thanksgivings now I have been making this butternut squash mac & cheese, inspired by Trader Joe’s famous pre-made version. Using ingredients such as butternut squash, raw cheese and broth, this cheesy mac also delivers on nutrients. Make this your new Thanksgiving staple side dish and your family will thank you! These measurements serve about 3.
INGREDIENTS
OVEN ROASTED INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups chopped butternut squash
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- season with nutmeg, paprika, garlic & onion powder
SAUTÉED INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 shallot finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- fresh thyme & sage
FINAL INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup broth
- 1 cup shredded raw cheddar cheese
- season with more nutmeg, paprika, salt as needed
- 3 cups cooked pasta
INSTRUCTIONS
OVEN ROASTING INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Chop butternut squash. Drizzle avocado oil onto a baking tray, followed by butternut squash. Evenly incorporate paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and a dash of nutmeg. Place in heated oven for 15-20 minutes, tossing half way through.
SATUÉ INSTRUCTIONS
Finely chop shallot and mince garlic. Bring a sauce pan on the stove to medium heat. Add extra virgin olive oil. Sauté shallot for 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic toward the end of the 5-7 minutes. Stir in fresh sage and thyme (removed from fibrous, woody stem). Remove from heat.
BLEND INSTRUCTIONS
In a blender, or with an immersion blender, combine oven roasted butternut squash and sautéed ingredients. Blend with 1 cup of broth until smooth.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Pour the blended ingredients back into the sauce pan on low to medium heat. Slowly incorporate up to 1 cup of raw cheddar cheese. Add more cheese, or more broth to achieve desired thickness. Add more nutmeg, paprika and salt to taste. Fold in 3 cups of cooked pasta & enjoy.
- ONE STEP FURTHER: Place the butternut squash Mac & cheese in a baking dish and in the oven on low broil with extra cheddar cheese on top until cheese is at a golden crisp. I also love the extra crunch of topping the mac & cheese with pepitas!
HEALTH BENEFITS
Avocado oil has a higher smoke point than olive oil, therefore it is best to use when cooking at higher temperatures. Avocado oil is additionally a good source of monounsaturated fats.
Butternut squash is nutrient packed with vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Butternut squash also contains beta-carotene and alpha-carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body to aid in immunity.
Extra virgin olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats, helping to lower LDL cholesterol.
Fresh garlic cloves have been shown to have health promoting and disease preventing impacts.
Fresh sage contains vitamin K, magnesium, zinc and copper as well as antioxidants combating free radical damage.
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