Butternut squash macaroni and cheese takes a Southern favorite comfort food to the next level.

Butternut squashmac and cheesemakes a great side dish for weeknight meals or even special holiday ones.

But it can also be an entreejust add a side ofroasted vegetablesor a crisp green salad.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

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Never worked with butternut squash before?

Well help you break one down, from start to finish.

All you need is a good vegetable peeler and a sharp knife, then youre ready to begin.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

And thats it!

Here’s a brief outline.

It’s up to you.

dicing butternut squash into pieces

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

But you’ll want to see to it it’s stored properly.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes

This isn’t the only macaroni and cheese recipe we love.

Try one of these next:

Ingredients

1(16-oz.)

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

pkg.uncooked elbow macaroni

1medium-size(2 1/2-lb.

)butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-in.

Bake in preheated oven until squash is fork-tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese preparing the squash on the baking sheet

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Let cool at room temperature, about 5 minutes.

Do not turn oven off.

Place slightly cooled squash and broth in a blender; process until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Southern Living Butternut Squash roasting the squash

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Add pasta to boiling water, and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 9 minutes.

Drain pasta, and set aside.

Stir in squash puree and remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until smooth.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese blending the squash

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Stir in cooked pasta until fully coated.

Bake at 375F until cheese is melted and top is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

We recommend peeling butternut squash before cooking.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese cooking the pasta

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

it’s possible for you to roast them just like pumpkin seeds.

Simply store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to three days.

Butternut squash thickens the sauce without flour and lends it a slightly sweet but nutty flavor.

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese adding the squash puree to the squash

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese adding the shredded cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese stirring in the pasta

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese placing the pasta in the casserole dish topped with cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese after baking sprinkled with thyme

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox