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Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese

November 23, 2015 by theeverykitchen@gmail.com 6 Comments

Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com
I haven’t totally thrown healthy out the window, okay? I know there have been pies and dips and talk of cinnamon rolls. This cold weather + holiday inklings in my heart bring out the comfort food desires.

Comfort food sometimes get a bad rap. But ya know what? Comfort food is always healthy in at least one way — it’s always healthy for the soul. Sitting cozy by the fire, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, possibly with a dog or cat curled up next to you, and maybe a significant other, reading a book, sharing a big bowl of Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese… Just thinking about it is good for my soul.


Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com
Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com
Although, that’s just my dream.

Here’s my reality: Sitting on the couch, drowning in sweatpants, wrapped in multiple blankets to stay warm, with my dog who is sniffing uncontrollably at my food and my cat who is meowing to get outside and my roommate who is watching HGTV while I’m on my computer. But the ambiance doesn’t really matter all that much because either way, I’m eating Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese and my soul is healthier than it’s ever been.

Even the cat likes Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com

Cats love Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese

And this mac & cheese is without guilt. I mean, look at the name, there’s a vegetable in there. So if you eat a whole plate, you’re basically eating a plate of vegetables. (No, not really. I cannot steer you down the wrong path. There’s still a decent amount of cheese and pasta on your plate.)

What I love about butternut squash mac & cheese: I LOVE that I can eat more than three bites. Have you ever ordered a fancy mac & cheese somewhere and you get three bites in and then you’re renaming the dish OMG-So-Rich-Can’t-Eat-Anymore-Or-My-Heart-Will-Explode Mac & Cheese? Have you?

Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com
Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com
That kind of mac & cheese is good, but butternut squash mac & cheese is not like that. You can eat three bites and stop, but you will likely eat 20 bites at least because it’s got that good gruyere (and thyme) (and garlic) (and CRAB) flavahhh. And the mascarpone… Just. Mascarpone. So good. Only two tablespoons in the whole dish and I swear you can taste and feeeel that smooth cream in every single luxurious bite. So this dish will not stop your heart, but will leave your heart beating, fluttering even, with healthy comfort.

Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese | www.theeverykitchen.com

5 from 1 vote
Print

Butternut Squash Crabmeat Mac & Cheese

Course Side
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12
Author my Bottomless Boyfriend

Ingredients

  • 1 20- ounce package peeled cubed butternut squash
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 1/2 cups skim or 1% milk heated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 5 ounces gruyere grated
  • 2 tablespoons mascarpone
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 12 ounces lump crabmeat
  • 1 pound pasta
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside. Steam squash until very soft, about 20 minutes, then puree in a food processor and set aside.
  2. At the same time, cook pasta according to package directions until very al dente. (It will finish cooking in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
  3. For the sauce: Melt butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir constantly until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Slowly add warm milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, 5-7 minutes. Add squash puree, salt, pepper, gruyere, mascarpone, and thyme and stir until smooth.
  4. For the topping: In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan.
  5. Mix cooked pasta with the butternut squash cheese sauce and pour into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

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Filed Under: dinner, holiday dishes, sides, sugar free, thanksgiving, vegetarian Tagged With: butternut squash, crab, crabmeat, gruyere, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, mascarpone, pasta

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Comments

  1. Keleigh

    November 23, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Um…this looks like perfection…sheer perfection!

    Reply
    • Danielle

      November 25, 2015 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks Keleigh! It does sound right up your and your family’s alley — sneaking veggies in where we can get them!

      Reply
  2. Cheryl

    November 23, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    What an interesting and delicious sounding recipe. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Danielle

      November 25, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      I have SO MUCH OF IT! I should share! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jamie @ Dishing Out Health

    December 10, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Looks so decadently delicious!! Makes me think of my favorite side dish ever – lobster mac & cheese 🙂 will need to try!

    Reply
    • Danielle

      December 10, 2015 at 10:33 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm yes!! I wanted to do lobster mac & cheese, but I was worried about putting the $$ into it and then it not turning out well. I’ve never played with lobster before!

      Reply

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About Danielle

Danielle is a registered dietitian and the story teller behind The Every Kitchen. Three things that inspire her: Her parent's kitchen table, the way food nurtures relationships and nourishes souls, damn good chocolate chip cookies. EVERY KITCHEN has a story and Danielle shares them, one kitchen at a time. Read More…

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About Danielle

Danielle is a registered dietitian and the story teller behind The Every Kitchen. Three things that inspire her: Her parent's kitchen table, the way food nurtures relationships and nourishes souls, damn good chocolate chip cookies. EVERY KITCHEN has a story and Danielle shares them, one kitchen at a time. Read More…

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