WHAT??? That's right, healthy Mac 'n' Cheese! Yes, it's possible! Yes, your kids will LOVE it! Yes, you will LOVE it!
It's so easy to make. I LOVE Macaroni 'n' Cheese, seriously love anything with cheese in it! However, I can't eat the real butter, flour roux type of this dish on a regular basis. So, when I found out how to make it healthier, I tried and it was so delicious! I am so excited to share it with you!
What you need:
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup butternut squash: baked and pureed
1 cup almond milk *Note: regular milk will work too, but almond milk eliminates extra sugar and fat, making it healthier!
1 Tbsp butter
2-3 Tbsp plain yogurt or sour cream *Note, sour cream will chunk up a bit more, but still tasted great if you don't have yogurt on hand.
1-1 and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. You can just use all sharp cheddar or a mix with jack cheese.
1 package of pasta (I always use elbow, but have tried bowtie once or twice).
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat Oven to 350oF. Slice the butternut squash in half and place open side down in a baking pan with some water.
**I typically do this the day I buy the squash, even if I'm not making the dish that day.
Then, I puree it and store in the fridge if I'm making that week or in the freezer. This saves a ton of time when making the actual dish. You will know when the squash is done when you can poke with a fork and it's soft, just like a potato. Let it cool for a bit, and then dig out the seeds and throw away. Then, you can just use the fork to dig the squash out of the peel.
- Next, add the butter, yogurt, and almond milk to a large sauce pan.
- Cook pasta according to instructions (al dente).
- Once the butter/milk mixture is heated through and starting to bubble, add the cheese. I just cut into blocks and add. You could also shred it if you prefer.
- Once the pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce mixture. Stir until all the pasta has some yummy sauce on it!
- Add salt/pepper to taste. I've also added dried mustard before.
- For added flavor, you could try other spices or even parmesan cheese sprinkled on top before serving.
I have made the "real" butter/flour roux type of Mac 'n' Cheese and my kids prefer this version. I just love this recipe so much and we make it often! It would go great with
Happy Cooking! Janel
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