Butternut Mac ‘N Cheeze

Oct 8, 2022 | Dinner, Entree, Lunch | 0 comments

Butternut Mac ‘N Cheeze

This is truly a comforting dish that everyone will love! It can be made and served immediately or baked in a pan to be served as side for your holiday meals! To make it nut free, you can substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds for the cashews. Who doesn't love Mac 'N Cheeze?
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Entrees, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: butternut squash, comfort food, dairy free, Fall Favorites, gluten free, no cheese sauce, soy free, Thanksgiving, transition, transition recipe, vegan mac n cheese
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Denise Balistrieri

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Sauce Pot
  • High Speed Blender

Ingredients

  • 1 -12 oz pkg Pasta, GF (reserve 1/2 C pasta water)
  • 1 ½ C Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
  • ½ Large Onion, peeled and chopped
  • ¼ C Cashews
  • 2 TBSP Nutritional Yeast
  • 1 TBSP Lemon Juice
  • ½ tsp Dijon Mustard
  • ½ tsp Garlic, granulated
  • ¼ tsp Paprika, smoked
  • â…› tsp Black Pepper
  • â…› tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp Turmeric (adjust to achieve desired color)

Instructions

  • Add the cubed butternut squash, onions and cashews to a large pot and cover with water. Be sure the water is about an inch above the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
  • While the squash, onions and cashews are simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • When the noodles are done cooking, drain rinse and put back in the pot.
  • When the squash, onions and cashews are finished cooking, reserve 1/2-3/4 C of liquid, then drain the mixture.
  • Add the squash, onions and cashews to a high speed blender. Also add the reserved liquid, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric and nutmeg to the blender. Process until the sauce is completely smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender as needed.
  • Pour the butternut squash sauce over the noodles and stir to combine.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

***This dish can also be baked as a side for your holiday dinners! Increase the reserved liquid to 3/4 C and when the noodles and sauce are combined, add to a baking dish. Top with bread crumbs (GF if needed) and bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes or until it is heated through
***Add cooked vegetables of choice and mix in before baking or serving
***This is a great transition recipe because who doesn’t love Mac ‘N Cheeze?!?!?

This is truly a comforting dish that everyone will love! It can be made and served immediately or baked in a pan to be served as side for your holiday meals! To make it nut free, you can substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds for the cashews. Who doesn’t love Mac ‘N Cheeze?