{"id":796,"date":"2023-01-20T16:38:34","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/brainanti.com\/?p=796"},"modified":"2023-01-23T12:19:54","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T12:19:54","slug":"butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/brainanti.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/20\/butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese\/","title":{"rendered":"Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese"},"content":{"rendered":"

This roasted butternut squash mac and cheese is loaded with so much flavour and couldn\u2019t be more simple to make!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never added butternut squash to your mac and cheese before, you\u2019re missing out. It adds a gorgeously sweet background flavour which balances out the cheese so beautifully. Once blended, it also helps create a thick and silky sauce. Sound good? Follow me\u2026<\/p>\n

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Roasted Butternut Squash<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Now, you could<\/em> boil the squash, but I much prefer roasting it. It takes a little more time\/effort, but it\u2019s truly worth it.<\/p>\n

Why roast the butternut squash?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Roasting the squash will also caramelize it<\/strong>, which adds heaps more flavour than simply boiling it. Plus, whilst it does take more time to cook, you don\u2019t need to peel and dice the squash (which is never a fun process).<\/p>\n

Roasted Garlic<\/h3>\n

Since we\u2019re roasting the squash, it only makes sense to roast some garlic alongside, since they take the same time to roast<\/strong>. Plus, those dents in the squash are way too perfect not to place some garlic in. Roasting the garlic will sweeten up the flavour<\/strong> and take the harsh bite out of it. Plus it\u2019ll completely soften<\/strong>, which makes it perfect to blend through this mac and cheese.<\/p>\n

Process shots: slice off stalk (photo 1), slice in half (photos 2&3), gut out seeds and coat in oil, salt and pepper (photo 4), add in garlic (photo 5), roast (photo 6).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Butternut Squash Sauce<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Once the squash is super tender, it\u2019s time to blend it up into a sauce. I use a food processor which has a blending option. You want something high-powered to really blitz the squash and turn it silky smooth.<\/p>\n

With the roasted squash and garlic, we\u2019re going to create the base of the sauce using:<\/p>\n