Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Posted Oct 20, 2021, Updated Nov 11, 2024
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This butternut squash mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy and has butternut squash blended in the sauce for added nutrition and flavor. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes – you can even save time and energy by using frozen butternut squash (instead of peeling and cutting fresh squash).
During my last pregnancy I created so many easy dinner recipes that have become family favorites (like these Greek meatballs, homemade chicken nuggets, etc), and this butternut squash mac and cheese might be the best of them all.
I took everything I love about our easy mac and cheese recipe and used it to create this butternut squash version. It is creamy, cheesy and has butternut squash blended in the sauce for added nutrition and flavor. Half of my kids like this version even better than “plain mac and cheese,” which is a huge compliment.
Plus, this recipe is easy to make in under 30 minutes – and you can even save time and energy by using frozen butternut squash (instead of peeling and cutting fresh squash). Because we can use frozen squash, we make this a few times a month all year long!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pasta. I have used just about every noodle variety to make this butternut mac and cheese recipe and it always turns out delicious! This wagon wheel pasta is my all-time favorite, and I buy it just to make this recipe. I do recommend a shape (macaroni of course, bowties, rotini, etc.) instead of spaghetti noodles, but they do work if it’s all you have! You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, etc. etc.
- Butternut squash. You can either use butternut squash that has been peeled, deseeded and finely chopped or a bag of frozen squash (16 oz).
- Salted Butter. There really isn’t a substitute for butter in this recipe. However you can use either salter or unsalted with great results.
- All-Purpose Flour. There are a few substitutions that work well for the flour including corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, and all-purpose gluten-free flour.
- Whole Milk. Any kind of liquid dairy works well in this recipe. Just remember the higher the fat content, the creamier your butternut squash mac and cheese will be (so I do not recommend using fat-free milk). 2% milk, whole milk, half and half and cream all work well! My favorite is whole milk.
- Cheese.The quality of the cheese that you user really matters. If you wouldn’t eat it by itself, then don’t use it to make mac and cheese! I recommend a high-quality medium to sharp cheddar cheese, shredded gouda, or gruyere (or a combination of any of these) for the best flavor.
- Salt & Pepper. Add these ingredients to taste!
- Minced garlic. you can substitute 1/4 tsp garlic powder for the minced garlic, or leave it out.
- Onion. I don’t recommend omitting the onion as the flavor is really important. I suggest using a white or yellow sweet onion.
How to Make Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
We’ll walk through this recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin this recipe by cooking the pasta in salted water, then drain it and set it aside but do not rinse.
Next, add 2 tablespoons of butter, the butternut squash, onion and garlic to a large pot cover and cook over medium high heat until the squash is soft (about 10 minutes)
Frozen squash cooks faster than fresh. To make the squash cook faster you can cut it into very small pieces (dice it). You can also roast the squash in the oven if you prefer.
Transfer the cooked butternut squash mixture to the container of a Vitamix, then add 1 cup milk and blend until smooth.
In the pot, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat.
Then, add the flour and sea salt and whisk until combined. Cook the flour mixture until it’s bubbling.
Next, add the remaining 1 cup of milk and whisk to combine. When the mixture is smooth, add the butternut squash mixture and whisk until smooth.
Cook over medium heat until it begins to thicken, once it has slightly thickened, whisk in the cheese until melted.
Then, add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stir and serve.
Serve
We enjoy this butternut mac and cheese often with a side salad (like this kale salad or brussel sprout salad), roasted broccoli, roasted brussel sprouts, and with some crusty bread like this no knead bread or pretzel bread.
I enjoy eating the leftovers for lunch for a few days, too!
Store/Freeze
Store the leftovers of this butternut mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. It will thicken as it cools, but will thin out again when it’s reheated.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe FAQS
My favorite is a mixture of sharp cheddar and gouda cheese. There are so many possibilities – gruyere, cream cheese, pepper Jack, Colby jack, cheddar, etc.
Yes, you can easily double this recipe to feed a crowd.
Yes, store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven set to warm.
Easy homemade mac and cheese is ready in 15 minutes!
This baked mac and cheese is so good!
Add some nutrition and make this Vegetable Mac and Cheese!
Try these baked mac and cheese cups!
For a low-carb version, try this spaghetti squash mac and cheese!
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta uncooked (macaroni, wagon wheels, shells, etc).
- 1 pound butternut squash peeled and finely diced, or use frozen squash
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter divided
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups whole milk divided
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces shredded cheese (3 cups) sharp cheddar, gouda, gruyere, etc.
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water. Drain and set aside.
- Next, add 2 tablespoons of butter, the butternut squash, onion and garlic to a large pot cover and cook over medium high heat until the squash is soft (about 10 minutes)
- Transfer butternut squash mixture to the container of a Vitamix.
- Add 1 cup milk and blend until smooth.
- In the pot, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat.
- Add flour and sea salt and whisk until combined. Cook the flour mixture until it’s bubbling.
- Then, add the remaining 1 cup of milk and whisk to combine.
- Add the butternut squash mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat until it begins to thicken.
- Once it has slightly thickened, whisk in the cheese until melted.
- Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir.
- Taste and adjust salt as needed, then serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Pasta. I have used just about every noodle variety to make this butternut mac and cheese recipe and it always turns out delicious! This wagon wheel pasta is my all-time favorite, and I buy it just to make this recipe. I do recommend a shape (macaroni of course, bowties, rotini, etc.) instead of spaghetti noodles, but they do work if it’s all you have! You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, etc. etc.
- Butternut squash. You can either use butternut squash that has been peeled, deseeded and finely chopped or a bag of frozen squash (16 oz).
- Salted Butter. There really isn’t a substitute for butter in this recipe. However you can use either salter or unsalted with great results.
- All-Purpose Flour. There are a few substitutions that work well for the flour including corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, and all-purpose gluten-free flour.
- Whole Milk. Any kind of liquid dairy works well in this recipe. Just remember the higher the fat content, the creamier your butternut squash mac and cheese will be (so I do not recommend using fat-free milk). 2% milk, whole milk, half and half and cream all work well! My favorite is whole milk.
- Cheese.The quality of the cheese that you user really matters. If you wouldn’t eat it by itself, then don’t use it to make mac and cheese! I recommend a high-quality medium to sharp cheddar cheese, shredded gouda, or gruyere (or a combination of any of these) for the best flavor.
- Salt & Pepper. Add these ingredients to taste!
- Minced garlic. you can substitute 1/4 tsp garlic powder for the minced garlic, or leave it out.
- Onion. I don’t recommend omitting the onion as the flavor is really important. I suggest using a white or yellow sweet onion.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this last night and everyone enjoyed it even my son who doesn’t like eating vegetables. So I approve for kids who don’t like eating their vegetables or are picky eaters.
Could you use a can of butternut squash puree?
I think that would definitely work.
How many people should this recipe feed?
It feeds our family of 8 twice – but we have young kids eating (ages 12-2). I’d say it makes at least 10 servings.