Butternut Squash Mac N Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Apples, and Bacon
This dish is a unique and flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese, with the addition of butternut squash, caramelized onions, apples, and bacon.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or pasta of your choice
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Toss butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- While the squash is roasting, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 20-30 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute more.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked pasta, roasted butternut squash, diced apple, and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked bacon to save time.
- Feel free to use a different type of apple, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- You can add other seasonings to the cheese sauce, such as nutmeg, paprika, or cayenne pepper.
- If you don't have a baking dish, you can use a large skillet instead.