You know those meals where you totally feel like you could go back for seconds…maybe even thirds?
Yeah, that was me last night with this meal.
As I mentioned earlier, last night was a successful attempt at one of my pinned Pinterest recipes. The first recipe I decided to tackle came courtesy of Eat Yourself Skinny, but because it was a last minute decision to make it, I didn’t have all of her original ingredients on hand and I had to improvise. Hey, no problem-o.
Before I get to the good stuff though, I know some of you seemed interested to find out the recipe that I used for the brussels sprouts. I found this easy recipe online and just went with that; like I said, it was good, but I think I may need to try something else with a little more pizazz or something.
Alright, NOW. On to the good stuff…
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Tomato & Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese
(adapted from Eat Yourself Skinny)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (*I bought pre-packaged – just SO much easier!)
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted chicken stock (or low-sodium chicken broth)
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (any milk would do)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp plain fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp
- 2 wedges The Laughing Cow Light French Onion cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded, partk-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained (I’d use 2 cans next time)
- 1 box (1 lb) uncooked elbow noodles
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, combine butternut squash, chicken stock, milk and garlic; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 25 minutes, until squash is tender. Meanwhile, boil pasta per box instructions in a separate pot; drain and set aside.
Pour hot squash mixture into a blender and add Greek yogurt, salt, pepper, and The Laughing Cow cheese wedges. Blend until smooth and pour mixture into a large bowl. Stir in parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses, until melted. Fold in diced tomatoes and cooked pasta. Pour everything into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray and spread evenly.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top and place in oven for about 25 minutes. Turn your broiler on to high and allow to sit an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until breadcumbs are browned. Enjoy!
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Honestly, I think this recipe could be awesome with whatever sort of cheese you have on hand and enjoy. For me, it was a whole slew of different ones, which all blended together really nicely. The amount of cheese that I used was actually slightly less than the original version, but I’m sure it’d be awesome if you went with a little more. I mean, c’mon, we’re talkin’ cheese here.
I’d also definitley add some more tomatoes next time, but that’s just because I LOVE me some tomatoes in my mac and cheese. Seriously. Can’t get enough of them.
I packed some leftovers up with me for today’s lunch (we had SO much left over after last night’s dinner…even after going back for seconds thirds, we probably still had about 3/4 of the dish left) and it was just as delicious today as it was yesterday.
So if you’re in the mood for a semi-healthy (hey, there’s vegetables in there!) carb-tastic meal of mac and cheese, definitely give this one a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Even Jay, who despises hidden veggies in his food was a total fan and went back for seconds himself. Give it a shot and let me know whatcha think! :)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
This mac and cheese looks so good! I’ve always wanted to try butternut squash in mac and cheese since I’ve seen so many recipes that use it. Definitely trying this! :)
Khushboo says
Kraft who? This sounds awesome!
Sarah @Pickyrunner says
This looks delicious! I’ve always been really skeptical of cooking with squash because I’m not a huge fan of the flavor but it would be great to add to mac and cheese to healthify it a little bit. Seriously, I think I’m having mac and cheese for dinner tonight.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
And here we have yet another recipe where Laughing Cow cheese wedges make the perfect addition. I swear those things are miracle workers in the kitchen! ;)
This recipe sounds delicious. I have made a vegan butternut squash mac and “cheese,” but I love the sound of adding tomatoes and bread crumbs and baking it. Thanks for sharing! :)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
This looks great! I actually pinned it the other day, and I definitely need to give it a try.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
that looks SO good! i love bulking up pasta dishes with tons of veggies – even better when they’re hidden!
Lisa says
This screams comfort food and looks incredible! Saving, now to pick up butternut! I don’t typically like pasta, but mac and cheese I can’t pass up!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Yum! I love butternut mac and cheese – I actually have a new version on the menu tomorrow :) Vegan mac and cheese at it’s best! Love the idea of adding in the tomatoes.
Lindsay says
That really does look so good. I can’t remember the last time I had Mac N Cheese! The way you made it makes it more… “grown up” with the veggies haha :)
Cait @ Chicago Girl Fitness says
Oh my goodness, that looks SO good!! I’ve always wanted to try butternut squash mac & cheese…
Cassie @RedLetterDaye says
I sometimes “trick” my boyfriend into eating healthier foods. He never has a clue.
You’re roasted brussels are making me hungry! :)
Lauren says
This looks fabulous! I love butternut squash for just about any recipe, but especially in a cheesy dish like this. Yum!
Ashlee says
I love butternut squash mac! I’ve made my own recipe before, http://hisnhershealthynhappy.com/guilty-face-vegan-mac-n-cheese/, but I think adding chopped tomatoes and bread crumbs would definitely take it up a notch! I’ll def be trying that!!
My Neon Running Shoes says
Thanks for sharing! Vegetables in it definitely make it qualify as healthy! I can’t wait to try this and report back ;-) Happy Friday!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Ooooh this does look good! Cheese & noodles with some veg is always a good plan ;)
Angela @ Health's Angel says
Yum. One of my favorite recipes I made back in the fall was Jessica of How Sweet’s butternut squash mac and cheese. I finally got around to actually organizing my recipes on Pinterest. I made a new board so that I can move the recipes that I’ve made and loved! And now I can better see which ones I still need to try!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
This looks delicious. I’ve actually never had tomatoes in my mac & cheese, but it sounds great!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Looks great! Mac and cheese is one of my favorites, so I pinned this for future reference!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Baked Mac & Cheese is like the ultimate comfort food, and I’m with you that tomatoes are a must… I’m definitely one of those people that used to add ketchup to their bowl of KD :D
Beks says
Holy MOLY! That looks fantastic! I have a butternut squash. I should totally make that this weekend. :-)
Madison says
YUMMMMM! I need to try that recipe because I’ve never had butternut squash. Time for me to take the plunge! :)
Abby J says
Looks awesome! I think it’s safe to say anything mac and cheese is a winner ;) Have a good weekend!
Miranda @ Biting Life says
I love butternut squash mac and cheese! I actually just made this butternut squash pasta sauce (not for mac & cheese, just regular pasta) last night, that I can’t wait to share on my blog soon!
Angela says
Looks amazing!! I also love Brussels, usually with olive oil, garlic, and sometimes rosemary. SO good.
Aurora@Fitness is Sweet says
I love mac n cheese with butternut squash! My all time favorite mac n cheese recipe is Cooking Light’s version with butternut squash!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
That looks SO good!! I bought some nutritional yeast so I might have to figure out how to make this recipe dairy free because it looks SO good!
Karla says
I just had to tell you that I just made this for dinner and hubby and I loved it! My hubby also is not a veggie fan but he admitted the cheesy goodness overpowered the veggies! Thanks for always sharing your delicious recipes. I’ve true recipes from many other blogs that claim they are good and they end up tasting horrible. However all the recipes I’ve tried from your blog have been incredible! So thank you for all your hard work!
Katie @ Skinny Minnie Moves says
I am making brussels tonight mmmmm!
Lauren says
I love tomato soup & velvetta macaroni and cheese so this definitely sounds like a healthier and delicious version! I never thought to add laughing cow cheese! Sounds yummy!
JJ says
Have you tried putting rotel (canned tomatoes and mild green chilis) instead of plain tomatoes in your Mac and cheese? It is so good. I will do crumbled bacon and rotel in our Mac and cheese sometimes. Not too healthy but delicious.
Avery @ Southern Belle Living Well says
The breadcrumbs are definitely seeming to be my favorite part of this post. Mmmm… :)
Danielle @ Truffles n' Treadmills says
This sounds good! I love cheese so I would make mine reallllly cheesy!
Julie says
Ooohhhh my goodness….I want cheese! Honestly, how can you go wrong with cheese?
Danica @ It's Progression says
It looks fantastic!! I’ve never cooked with butternut squash before but I’m guessing something cheesy would be a good place to start :)
Nicole @ Curly Mommy says
That looks soooo good Courtney!! I love love love butternut squash. But! I’m dying to know what spice you put in after the pepper, because it’s missing :) 1/4 tsp of what?! I’m in suspense!
Mary S says
I, too, am in suspense! This recipe sounds divine and I will be making it as soon as I get the Laughing Cow and mozzarella cheese — with or without the 1/4 teaspoon! YUM!! Off to the grocery store….
Emily @ Hungry Delights says
What an awesome recipe – I love pumpkin (or squash as you guys call it)
xo Emily
Lauren says
That looks so good, I love Mac and Cheese.