Still have some butternut or acorn squash kicking about? Try Orange Mac-n-Cheese!

Dec 10, 2009 New Baby Food Recipes

Butternut squash is by far a highly favored veggie but even we get a bit tired of it come December.  Here’s a fun way to use butternut or acorn squash.  It’s a new twist on Mac-n-Cheese – enjoy!

Orange Mac-n-Cheese

2 cups of mashed and cooked butternut squash
1/2 box macaroni of your choice (ditalini for or wheels chop nicely)
flour
cheddar cheese
milk

To make the Cheese Sauce:
Make a roux! When we make it for the family, we use the following:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups milk
4 to 8 ounces of cheese (Cheddar, Jack and Colby together are very good!)
Cheese Sauce for Mac n Cheese is really an experimental thing!

The roux is the basis for many cheese sauces and gravies! Use equal parts butter and flour – milk as needed to achieve the saucy texture you desire – cheese as needed but not too much to make the sauce thick.

In medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a thinnish paste. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then whisk in milk a little at a time to make a white sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese or keep pot on low heat and stir constantly until cheese is melted and a cheesy sauce is attained.

When Macaroni is done cooking (be sure to drain it!) and you have made the cheese sauce, combine and mix well.

Add the butternut squash and mix again.
Add the mix to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish,
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and breadcrumbs if desired
Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes

You can always serve this without baking it if you prefer.