A rustic bowl, filled with tender elbow macaroni luxuriously dressed in a vibrant golden butternut squash sauce. The dish is accented with specs of fiery red pepper flakes, gentle green flecks of rosemary leaves, and crowned with a sprinkling of golden breadcrumbs that have been crisped to perfection.

Roasted Butternut Squash Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese

Name: Roasted Butternut Squash Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: butternut squash, 1 large peeled and cubed; elbow macaroni, 2 cups uncooked; olive oil, 2 tablespoons; garlic, 3 cloves minced; unsweetened almond milk, 1 1/2 cups; nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup; red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon; rosemary, 1 teaspoon finely chopped; breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style American

Technique roasting

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: September 17, 2023

Dive into the spectacular fusion of colors, flavors, and textures with this unique version of a classic American dish. Allow the magic of seasonal produce to carve out a niche on your dinner table. Roasted butternut squash replaces the traditional cheese in a 'not-so-predictable' vegan 'Mac and Cheese', amped up with the spice of red pepper flakes and the earthiness of rosemary.

Ingredients (for 4)

Butternut squash - 1 large - peeled and cubed
Elbow macaroni - 2 cups - uncooked
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Garlic - 3 cloves - minced
Unsweetened almond milk - 1 1/2 cups
Nutritional yeast - 1/4 cup
Red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon
Rosemary - 1 teaspoon - finely chopped
Breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️🥘🔥

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the peeled and cubed butternut squash in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Lay them onto a baking tray and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the squash becomes tender.
Step 2 - 🍝💦🍽️

Boil water in a pot and cook the elbow macaroni to al dente as instructed on the package. After cooking, drain the water and set aside.
Step 3 - 🧄🥣🔮

Using the same pot, over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic in the remaining olive oil until it's fragrant. Then add in the roasted butternut squash, almond milk, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix all these ingredients and blend using a hand blender until you achieve a smooth texture.
Step 4 - 🥘🌀🍝

Add the cooked macaroni into the pot with the butternut squash sauce and toss until all the macaroni is well coated with the sauce.
Step 5 - 🍞🔝🔥

Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the macaroni and the sauce. Place the pot under a broiler and broil on high for 1-2 minutes until your breadcrumbs turn to a crispy golden brown.
Step 6 - 🍽️😋🎉

Your Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is ready to serve. Enjoy this delightful and healthy meal!

Additional

Loved by kids and adults alike, this dish is a fun twist on a classic cheesy norm. The roasted butternut squash not only provides vibrant color but also packs in a good dose of nutrients. For a gluten-free alternative, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs. Young children can assist with tossing the ingredients, assembling and setting the table for a wholesome family meal.