Baked Squash Mac and Cheese

Name: Baked Squash Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cut into chunks; 3 Garlic Clove, minced; 60g Plain Flour; 2tbsp Thyme Leaves, plus a little more for the topping; 75g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated, plus a little more for the topping; 50g Vegetarian Italian Hard Cheese, grated; 400g Wholegrain Macaroni; 4tbsp Breadcrumbs; 900ml Semi Skimmed Milk; 2tsp Dijon Mustard; Maldon Salt, to taste; 2tbsp Chopped Sage

by Delicia Bale

Vegetarian

4.1

20m prep time

60m total time

Easy level

13 ingredients

Baked Squash Mac and Cheese recipe by Delicia Bale

This healthy twist on mac and cheese includes a serving of butternut squash, which makes the sauce super creamy. The wholegrain macaroni also adds in some extra fibre.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180oC. Place the butternut squash in a baking tray along with half the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Roast the squash for 20–30 minutes until soft and golden brown.

Step 2

In a saute pan - cook the remaining olive oil, garlic, sage and thyme for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

Step 3

Then add the flour and mix together. Cook this for a couple of minutes. Gradually add the milk, a bit at a time, mixing in between to avoid lumps until it thickens.

Step 4

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until just cooked. Drain and coat in a little oil to prevent it from sticking together.

Step 5

Stir in the mustard, both cheeses and roasted butternut squash and cook for a couple of minutes, then blend until smooth.

Step 6

Stir the cooked pasta and sauce together, then transfer to an ovenproof dish and top with breadcrumbs, more **grated Cheddar cheese and a little more thyme. Then grill for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

Ingredients
Based on 4 servings

4tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil, Extra Virgin 500ml
1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cut into chunks 1 x Sainsbury's Butternut Squash Loose
3 Garlic Clove, minced 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
60g Plain Flour 1 x Sainsbury's Plain Flour 500g
2tbsp Thyme Leaves, plus a little more for the topping 1 x Sainsbury's Bunched Thyme 20g
75g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated, plus a little more for the topping 1 x Sainsbury's British Mature Grated Cheddar Cheese 250g
50g Vegetarian Italian Hard Cheese, grated 1 x Stamford Street Co. Italian Hard Cheese 200g
400g Wholegrain Macaroni 1 x Sainsbury's High Fibre White Macaroni Pasta 500g
4tbsp Breadcrumbs 1 x Sainsbury's Natural Fine Breadcrumbs 230g
900ml Semi Skimmed Milk 1 x Sainsbury's British Semi Skimmed Milk 1.13L (2 pint)
2tsp Dijon Mustard 1 x Sainsbury's Dijon Mustard 185g
Maldon Salt, to taste 1 x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g
2tbsp Chopped Sage 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Sage 20g